OFFICER Blue!—­they are a sort of blueish-gray, now I look better; and as for colour, that comes and goes.  Blushing is often a sign of a hardened offender.  Do you know any thing of a casket?

MISS FLYN
Here is one which a friend has just delivered to my keeping.

OFFICER And which I must beg leave to secure, together with your ladyship’s person.  “Garnets, pearls, diamond-bracelet,”—­here they are, sure enough.

MISS FLYN
Indeed, I am innocent.

OFFICER
Every man is presumed so till he is found otherwise.

MISS FLYN
Police wit!  Have you a warrant?

OFFICER
Tolerably cool that!  Here it is, signed by Justice Golding, at the
requisition of Reuben Flint, who deposes that you have robbed him.

MISS FLYN
How lucky this turns out! (aside.)—­Can I be indulged with a coach?

OFFICER
To Marlborough Street? certainly—­an old offender—­(aside.) The thing
shall be conducted with as much delicacy as is consistent with security.

MISS FLYN
Police manners!  I will trust myself to your protection then. [Exeunt.]

SCENE.—­Police-Office.

JUSTICE, FLINT, OFFICERS, &c.

JUSTICE Before we proceed to extremities, Mr. Flint, let me entreat you to consider the consequences.  What will the world say to your exposing your own child?

FLINT The world is not my friend.  I belong to a profession which has long brought me acquainted with its injustice.  I return scorn for scorn, and desire its censure above its plaudits.

JUSTICE
But in this case delicacy must make you pause.

FLINT
Delicacy—­ha! ha!—­pawnbroker—­how fitly these words suit.  Delicate
pawnbroker—­delicate devil—­let the law take its course.

JUSTICE
Consider, the jewels are found.

FLINT ’Tis not the silly baubles I regard.  Are you a man? are you a father? and think you I could stoop so low, vile as I stand here, as to make money—­filthy money—­of the stuff which a daughter’s touch has desecrated?  Deep in some pit first I would bury them.

JUSTICE
Yet pause a little.  Consider.  An only child.

FLINT Only, only,—­there, it is that stings me, makes me mad.  She was the only thing I had to love me—­to bear me up against the nipping injuries of the world.  I prate when I should act.  Bring in your prisoner.

(The Justice makes signs to an Officer, who goes out, and returns with Miss Flyn.)

FLINT
What mockery of my sight is here?  This is no daughter.

OFFICER
Daughter, or no daughter, she has confessed to this casket.

FLINT (Handling it.) The very same.  Was it in the power of these pale splendours to dazzle the sight of honesty—­to put out the regardful eye of piety and daughter-love?  Why, a poor glow-worm shews more brightly.  Bear witness how I valued them—­(tramples on them).—­Fair lady, know you aught of my child?