elopement unexpectedly accelerated. A rope-ladder has enabled
a stout abductor to assist the flight of a somewhat mature and
remarkably corpulent lady from the window of her chamber. A rung of
the rope-ladder has given way with the weight; at the moment a male
relation, nightcap on head, is discovering the flight and throwing a
light on the subject with a chamber candle which he is holding out of
the bedroom window. The partner of the elopement is an officer; he is
precipitated on to his back, and forms a convenient cushion to receive
the lady's fall, which is complete and overwhelming. A postchaise,
prepared for the flight, is seen in the distance; the postilion is
enjoying the spectacle of his employer's downfall; and the moon,
peeping over a cloud, is represented with a broad grin on its face at
the expense of these disconcerted 'fly-by-nights.'