(Enter, hastily, Mrs. Clipclose and Annette.)
Mrs. C.—Why, what's all this? What do my eyes discover?
An errant husband, and a truant lover!
(Aside to Mr. C.)—Was it for this I gave my faith to you?
(Aside to Capt. C.)—Was it for this I drove you out to Kew,
Paid cab and lunch, brown stout, and ruin blue?
(Capt. C. drops the point of his sword, and evinces great contrition for attempting the lives of the company, when enter an elderly pieman with a juvenile dealer in "all-hots," attended by two policemen. Pieman identifies Miss Smashaway.)
Pieman.—That 'ere flash madam hit me in the withers.
All-hot (pointing to Mr. Clipclose).—And that cove knock'd my kitchen-range to shivers!
Mr. C. (to Policeman.)—Let me explain, sir.
Miss S. Pray, sir, let me speak.
Policeman.—Silence! and keep your gammon for the beak.
(A rumbling noise heard underneath, attended by a disagreeable vapour.)
Policeman.—Zounds! what is this? it smothers me almost.
Is it the gas-pipe?
Capt. C. No, dash my wig! a ghost!
(Slow music. Apparition of Old Clipclose rises through the stage, dressed in a white shirt, and scarlet nightcap.)
Roundelay—Ghost and Company.
("Good morrow to you, Madam Joan.")