Chapter 29

SBRI. Yes; everything is succeeding splendidly; and as his knowledge of things is very shallow, and his understanding of the poorest, I put him in such a terrible fright at the severity of the law in this country, and at the preparations which were already set on foot to put him to death,[16] that he is determined to run away, and in order the better to escape from the people who, I have told him, are placed at the city gates to stop him, he has decided upon disguising himself as a woman.

ERA. How I should like to see him dressed up in that way!

SBRI. Take care you carry out the farce properly; and whilst I go through my parts with him, you go and ... (_Whispers to him._) You understand, don't you?

ERA. Yes.

SBRI. And when I have taken him where I mean.... (_Whispers._)

ERA. All right.

SBRI. And when the father has been forewarned by me.... (_Whispers._)

ERA. Nothing could be better.

SBRI. Here is our young lady. Go quickly; she must not see us together.