Help a smuggler!' said Miss Thane in shocked accents. 'My good man, do you know that you are addressing the sister of a Justice of the Peace? Let me tell you that my brother, who is in the house at this moment, holds the strongest views on smugglers and smuggled goods!' This, after all, she reflected, was quite true, and ought to impress the Exciseman – provided, of course, that Sir Hugh did not take it into his head to appear suddenly and explain the nature of his views.
Miss Thane, shocked by the suggestion of helping a smuggler, reminds the man that she is the sister of a Justice of the Peace. She asserts that her brother, who is present in the house, has strong opinions against smugglers and illegal goods. This fact, she believes, should be enough to dissuade the Exciseman from pursuing his idea to involve her in smuggling activities.
However, Miss Thane knows that her brother Sir Hugh's sudden appearance could complicate matters, especially if he were to clarify his stance on smugglers. She worries that her assertion might not hold up if faced with the truth from Sir Hugh, revealing the precarious situation she is in.
