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LOFTY.

My dear madam, what can a private man like me do? One man can't do every thing; and then, I do fo much in this way every day: let me fee; fomething confiderable might be done for him by fubfcription; it could not fail if I carried the lift. I'll undertake to set down a brace of dukes, two dozen lords, and half the lower houfe, at my own peril.

Sir WILLIAM.

And, after all, it's more than probable, Sir, he might reject the offer of fuch powerful patronage.

LOFTY.

Then, madam, what can we do? You know I never make promifes. In truth, I once or twice tried to do something with him in the way of bufinefs; but, as I often told his uncle, Sir William Honeywood, the man was utterly impracticable.

Sir WILLIAM.

His uncle! Then that gentleman, I suppose, is a particular friend of yours.

LOFTY.

Meaning me, Sir ?-Yes, madam, as I often faid, my dear Sir William, you are fenfible I would do any thing, as far as my poor interest goes, to ferve your family: but what can be done? there's no procuring first-rate places for ninth-rate abilities.

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Mifs RICHLAND.

I have heard of Sir William Honeywood; he's abroad in employment: he confided in your judgment, I fuppofe.

LOFTY.

Why, yes, madam, I believe Sir William had some reason to confide in my Judgment; one little reafon, perhaps.

Mifs RICHLAND.

Pray, Sir, What was it?

LOFTY.

Why, madam-but let it go no further-it was I procured him his place.

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This, Mr. Lofty, was very kind indeed.

LOFTY.

I did love him, to be fure; he had fome amufing qualities; no man was fitter to be toaft-mafter to a club, or had a better head.

Mifs RICHLAND.

A better head?

LOFTY.

Ay, at a bottle. To be fure, he was as dull as a choice fpirit: but hang it, he was grateful, very grateful; and gratitude hides a multitude of faults.

Sir WILLIAM.

He might have reafon, perhaps. His place is pretty confiderable, I'm told.

LOFTY.

A trifle, a mere trifle, among us men of business. The truth is, he wanted dignity to fill up a greater. Sir WILLIAM.

Dignity of perfon, do you mean, Sir? I'm told he's much about my size and figure, Sir.

LOFTY.

Ay, tall enough for a marching regiment; but then he wanted a fomething-a confequence of form-a kind of a-I believe the lady perceives my meaning.

Mifs RICHLAND.

O, perfectly: you courtiers can do any thing, I fee.

LOFTY.

My dear madam, all this is but a meer exchange: we do greater things for one another every day. Why, as thus, now let me fuppofe you the first lord of the treafury; you have an employment in you that I want; I have a place in me that you want! do me here, do you there: intereft of both fides, few words, flat, done and done, and its over.

Sir WILLIAM.

A thought ftrikes me. (Afide.) Now you mention Sir William Honeywood, madam; and as he seems, Sir, an acquaintance of yours; you'll be glad to hear he's arrived from Italy; I had it from a friend

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who knows him as well as he does me, and you may depend on my information.

LOFTY.

The devil he is! If I had known that, we should not have been quite fo well acquainted. (Afide.) Sir WILLIAM.

He is certainly return'd; and, as this gentleman is a friend of yours, he can be of fignal fervice to us, by introducing me to him; there are some papers relative to your affairs, that require difpatch and his infpection.

Mifs RICHLAND.

This gentleman, Mr. Lofty, is a perfon employed in my affairs: I know you'll ferve us.

LOFTY.

My dear madam, I live but to ferve you. Sir William fhall even wait upon him, if you think proper to command it.

Sir WILLIAM.

That would be quite unneceffary.

LOFTY.

Well, we must introduce you then. Call upon me-let me fee-ay, in two days,

Sir WILLIAM.

Now, or the opportunity will be lost for ever.

LOFTY.

Well, if it must be now, now let it be. But damn it, that's unfortunate; my lord Grig's curfed Pen

facola

facola bufinefs comes on this very hour, and I'm engaged to attend-another time

Sir WILLIAM.

A fhort letter to Sir William will do.

LOFTY.

You fhall have it; yet, in my opinion, a letter is a very bad way of going to work; face to face,

that's my way.

Sir WILLIAM.

The letter, Sir, will do quite as well.

LOFTY.

Zounds! Sir, do you pretend to direct me; direct me in the bufinefs of office? Do you know me, Sir? who am I?

Mifs RICHLAND.

Dear Mr. Lofty, this request is not fo much his as mine; if my commands-but you defpife my

power.

LOFTY.

Delicate creature! your commands could even controul a debate at midnight: to a power fo conftitutional, I am all obedience and tranquillity. He fhall have a letter; where is my fecretary! Dubardieu! And yet, I proteft I don't like this way of doing business. I think if I spoke first to Sir William-But you will have it fo.

[Exit with Mifs Richland.

Sir WILLIAM, alone.

Ha, ha, ha! This too is one of my nephew's hopeful affociates. O vanity, thou conftant deceiver,

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