The scene is the Tower of London. Falsely accused of sorcery by a kinsman who will inherit his estate should he die unmarried, the condemned Colonel Fairfax determines to thwart him, and asks his old friend, Sergeant Meryll to arrange a marriage with anyone ' the meanest, and the worst favoured is good enough'. Enter Elsie Maynard and Jack Point, two strolling players sorely in need of money, and the offer of 100 crowns soon persuades them to let Elsie be blindfolded and marry a man who is to die that very day. So it is arranged......