Solo. — Mabel.

{During this the girls continue their chatter pianissimo, but listen- ing eagerly all the time.)

Did ever maiden wake

From dream of homely duty To find her daylight break

With such exceeding beauty? Did ever maiden close

Her eyes on wakening sadness, To dream of, Goodness knows,

How much exceeding gladness?

Fred. Ah yes, ah yes, this is exceeding gladness. (Frederic and Mabel turn and see that the girls are listening, detected, they continue their chatter, forte.).

Girls. How beautifully blue the sky! etc. etc.

Solo — Fred.

(During this the girls continue their chatter, pianissimo, as before, but listening intently all the time.)

Did ever pirate roll

His soul in guilty dreaming, And wake to find that soul

With peace and virtue beaming? Did ever pirate loathed

Forsake his hideous mission, To find himself betrothed

To a lady of position?

Mabel. Ah yes, ah yes, I am a lady of position.

(Mabel and Fred turn as before. Girls resume their chatter, forte.)

Ensemble.} Mabel. Fkkd. Girls.

Did ever maiden Did ever pirate How beautiftilly blue

wake, etc. loathed, etc. the sky, etc.

II EC. — Fred. Stay ; we must not lose our senses Men who dlick at no offences Will anon l)e here.