Smelling a rat [graphic]

"A farmer, wearing his hat, John Bullish and intimidating, hand resting on a cudgel, stands in a plainly furnished room staring fixedly at a closed door, at which a dog is sniffing. A plumed cocked hat, sword, and boots, just outside the door, tell their story. He says to a terrified maidservant who holds a lighted candle: 'Hulloa Girl! what the devil's all this?--Bring the light this way.--Where's your Mistress?--'. She answers: '--Why, Sir, She--she--she--sh--e--e--e--e--e--e--'. Above the hearth are two small pictures: 'Virtue Rewarded' and 'Village Innocence'. A wall clock points to 10.30. Through a casement window is seen a violent zigzag of lightning."--British Museum online catalogue