[Exit F.E.L.
[SCENE III.]—A large room at MISS SNARE’S—In the S.E.R. is a fire-place, mantle-piece, looking-glass, &c., complete; a fender before it bearing toast, crumpets, &c.; a table on the L., on which is a complete tea-service, urn, &c.—MISS SNARE is presiding at the tea-table—PINKEY and BOSS are handing the tea and toast—PINKEY is very nervous and confused—BOSS takes every opportunity of surveying himself in the glass—PINKEY’S chair is on the L. of the fire-place, that of BOSS on the R.—NIGGLE is next to PINKEY—DAMPER to NIGGLE—CHESTER to DAMPER—MISS SKYLARK near CHESTER—MISS MEADOWS behind the tea-table, facing the audience—MISS MACAW in front of it on the L.—All laughing as the scene is discovered.
Dam. (Drinking tea.) Ah, you may laugh, it was a miraculous escape, he was within a hairs breadth of the noose; but I saved his neck for him.
Miss Mac. I wish you had tied yourself up in it instead. How I should rejoice to see you caught in the toils.
Dam. If you could be tied up with me, I should not care for my own torments, while I could behold yours.
Pin. (Handing toast to NIGGLE, and speaking aside to him.) Oh! Such a climax to my attempt at a pop.
Nig. Did you try the speech?
Pin. Only half of it, I was cut short—tell you by and bye.
Miss Sna. Hand Miss Skylark some toast Mr. P. Put some coals on the fire, and bring me Mr. Damper’s cup.