[_Exit Peter, pursued by the Admiral._

_Adm._ (_returning, puffing and blowing_). Why, positively, the fellow
is stark, staring mad.

_Enter Agnes, Captains Etheridge and Mertoun._

_Capt. Eth._ What is all this disturbance, my dear father?

_Adm._ What is it, why, I hardly can tell. There has been an impudent
scoundrel--that young Bargrove--kissing your mother till she has
fainted, and swearing that he is my son. Called me his honoured
parent--but I cudgelled the rascal!

_Agnes._ (_leaning on Captain Etheridge's shoulder_). O heavens!

_Capt. Eth._ The fellow himself has just now been trying to elbow me out
of my birthright. However, I met his pretensions with the same argument
as you did. Who could have put all this nonsense into his addled head so
firmly, that two good cudgellings cannot beat it out?

_Capt. Mer._ Etheridge, your sister is unwell.

_Capt. Eth._ Don't be alarmed, my dear Agnes.

_Agnes._ Oh! but indeed I am--I expected this.

_Adm._ Expected this! Have you, then, heard anything, my love?

_Agnes._ Yes, I have indeed; just before my brother arrived I was told
that my real name was Agnes Bargrove.

_Adm._ How very extraordinary! Who told you so?

_Agnes._ A very strange woman; but she appeared to know all about it. It
has made me very unhappy ever since.

_Adm._ This must be inquired into. Where did you meet with her?

_Agnes._ In the lower wood. But Lucy can tell you more. Speak to her.

_Lady Eth._ I'm very ill. Lead me to my room.

[_Exeunt Sir Gilbert and Lady Etheridge._

_Cap. Eth._ And I must away to unravel this deep-laid plot. Mertoun, I
must leave you to take care of Agnes.

[_Exit Capt. Etheridge._

_Capt. Mer._ A pleasing change, if I am not unwelcome. May I be
permitted, Miss Etheridge, from a very great interest which I must ever
take in the prosperity of your family--may I ask if you imagine there is
any truth in this report?

_Agnes._ It is impossible for me to answer, Captain Mertoun. Why should
such a report be raised without some foundation. True or not, I have
ever since felt in a situation so awkward, that I fear my conduct may
have appeared strange to others.

_Capt. Mer._ I must confess that your evident restraint towards me, so
different from what perhaps my vanity induced me to hope, has been to me
a source of wonder as well as regret. May I flatter myself that this
rumour has been the occasion of an apparent caprice, which I never could
ha