Sir Geo. Beyond seas? Well, and how?
Rover. It seems I was committed an infant to the care of a lady, who was herself obliged by the gentle Hyder Ally, to strike her toilet, and decamp without beat of drum, leaving me a chubby little fellow squatted on a carpet. A serjeant's wife alone returned, and snatched me off triumphant, through fire, smoke, cannon, cries, and carnage.
Lady Am. Dost thou mark? [To Amelia.]
Amelia. Sir, can you recollect the name of the town, where—
Rover. Yes, ma'am, the town was Negapatnam.
Amelia. I thank you, sir.
[Gazes with delight and earnestness on Rover.
Rover. An officer, who'd much rather act Hotspur on the stage, than in the field, brought me up behind the scenes at the Calcutta theatre—I was rolled on the boards, acted myself into the favour of a colonel,—promised a pair of colours; but, impatient to find my parents, hid myself in the steerage of an homeward bound ship; assumed the name of Rover, from the uncertainty of my fate, and, having murdered more poets than Rajahs, stept on English ground, unincumbered with rupees or pagodas. Ha, ha! Wou'dst thou come home so, little Ephraim?
Eph. I would bring myself home with some money.
Amelia. Excuse my curiosity, sir; what was the lady's name in whose care you were left?