CARO. Mercy on me! what can be the matter?
Enter CAPTAIN HARDAPORT, at the side, hurriedly, R.
CAPT. H. (advancing towards CAROLINE) Beg pardon, miss, but if I can be of any service——
CARO. (who has started, and turned round towards the CAPTAIN) Captain Hardaport!
CAPT. H. Beg pardon, I’m sure, miss; but hearing you, as I thought, holding out signals of distress——
CARO. No such thing! Me!—oh, dear, no; no such thing.
CAPT. H. Well, miss, I’ve a little matter to overhaul with you. Ever since I saw you at Plymouth, I’ve been thinking that you are just the sort of craft that I should like to sail in company with.
CARO. (modestly) Oh, Captain!
CAPT. H. Yes, miss; so I bore up for London, and the first thing I hear is that you’re going to be spliced to some other lubber from Cambridge.
CARO. Really, sir, I know very little about the matter; everything has been arranged by my pa and Mr. Cockletop.