MICAH At least, one on ’em, sir. The other—the dark gentleman—told me they left their horses at the inn, sir.
MISTRESS MERTON Hark! [The faces of all wear suddenly a startled expression.] Where is that unearthly sound?
JUSTICE MERTON [Listening.] Is it in the cellar?
MICAH ’Tis just the dog howling, madam. When he spied the gentry he turned tail and run below.
JUSTICE MERTON Show the gentlemen here, Micah. Don’t keep them waiting. [Exit Micah.] A lord! [To Rachel.] We shall talk of this matter later.—A lord! [Turning to the small glass on the wall, he arranges his peruke and attire.]
RACHEL [To Richard.] What a fortunate interruption! But, dear Dick! I wish we needn’t meet these strangers now.
RICHARD Would you really rather we were alone together? [They chat aside, absorbed in each other.]
JUSTICE MERTON Think of it, Cynthia, a lord!
MISTRESS MERTON [Dusting the furniture hastily with her handkerchief.] And such dust!