Our riches by degrees we can display.

A necklace first, the drops then in your ear;

Your mother sees it not; and should she hear,

’Tis easy to invent some fair pretence or other.

Margaret.

But whence the pretty caskets came? I fear

There’s something in it not right altogether. [Knocking.]

Good God!—I hear a step—is it my mother?

Martha. [looking through the casement]

’Tis a strange gentleman. Come in!