Let me go? My girl, if you had cast me out this morning, good and
well: I would have left you, though it broke my heart. But it's a
changed story now; now I'm down on my luck, and you come and stab me
from behind. I ask no favour, and I'll take none; I stand here on my
innocence, and God helping me I'll clear my good name, and get your love
again, if it's love worth having. Now, Captain Gaunt, I've said my say,
and you may do your pleasure. I am my father's son, and I never feared
to face the truth.

GAUNT. You have spoken like a man, French, and you may go. I leave you
free.

KIT. Nay, sir, not so: not with my will. I'm accused and counted guilty;
the proofs are against me; the girl I love has turned upon me. I'll
accept no mercy at your hands. Captain Gaunt, I am your prisoner.

ARETHUSA. Kit, dear Kit----

GAUNT. Silence! Young man, I have offered you liberty without bond or
condition. You refuse. You shall be judged. Meanwhile (_opening the
door, R._), you will go in here. I keep your cutlass. The night brings
counsel: to-morrow shall decide. (_He locks KIT in, leaving the key in
the door._)

SCENE V

_GAUNT, ARETHUSA, afterwards PEW_

ARETHUSA. Father, you believe in him; you do; I know you do.

GAUNT. Child, I am not given to be hasty. I will pray and sleep upon
this matter. (_A knocking at the door, C._) Who knocks so late? (_He
opens._)

PEW (_entering_). Cap'n, shall I fetch the constable?

GAUNT. No.

PEW. No? Have ye killed him?

GAUNT. My man, I'll see you into the road. (_He takes PEW by the arm,
and goes out with him._)

SCENE VI

ARETHUSA

ARETHUSA. (_Listens; then running to door, R._) Kit--dearest Kit! wait!
I will come to you soon. (_GAUNT re-enters, C., as the drop falls._)

ACT IV

_The Stage represents the Admiral's house, as in Acts I. and III. A
chair, L., in front. As the curtain rises, the Stage is dark. Enter
ARETHUSA, L., with candle; she lights another; and passes to door, R.,
which she unbolts. Stage light_

SCENE I

ARETHUSA, KIT

ARETHUSA. Come, dear Kit, come!

KIT. Well, I'm here.

ARETHUSA. O Kit, you are not angry with me.

KIT. Have I reason to be pleased?

ARETHUSA. Kit, I was wrong. Forgive me.

KIT. O yes. I forgive you. I suppose you meant it kindly; but there are
some kindnesses a man would rather die than take a gift of. When a man
is accused, Arethusa, it is not that he fears the gallows--it's the
shame th