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said before, mortally hating our old master, and all the crew of the Macsycophants, left his whole estate to Master Charles, who was his godson; but on condition that he should drop his father's name of Macsycophant, and take up that of Egerton, and that is the reason, John, why the parliament has made him change his name.

Eger. Dear Sidney, for my warmth I stand con demned; but for my marriage with Constantia, I think I can justify it upon every principle of filial duty, honour, and worldly prudence.

Sid. Only make that appear, Charles, and you know you may command me.

Eger. I am sensible how unseemly it appears in John. I am glad that Master Charles has got the a son to descant on the unamiable passions of a estate, however, for he is a sweet-tempered gen-parent; but, as we are alone, and friends, I cannot

tleman.

Betty. As ever lived. But come, John; as I know you love Miss Constantia, and are fond of being where she is, I will make you happy; you shall carry this letter to her.

John. Shall I, Mrs. Betty? I am much obliged to you. Where is she?

Betty. In the housekeeper's room, settling the dessert. Give me Mr. Egerton's letter, and I'll leave it on the table in his dressing-room: I see it is from his brother Sandy.-So-now go and deliver your letter to your sweetheart, John.

John. That I will; and I am much beholden to you for the favour of letting me carry it to her for though she should never have me, yet I shall always love her, and wish to be near her, she is So sweet a creature. Your servant, Mrs. Betty.

help observing, in my own defence, that when a father will not allow the use of reason to any of his family-when his pursuit of greatness makes him a slave abroad, only to be a tyrant at home-when a narrow partiality to Scotland, on every trivial occasion, provokes him to enmity even with his wife and children, only because they give a national preference where they think it most justly due; and when, merely to gratify his own ambition, he would marry his son into a family he detests; gure, Sidney, a son thus circumstanced (from the dignity of human reason, and the feelings of a loving heart) has a right-not only to protest against the blindness of a parent, but to pursue those measures that virtue and happiness point ou..

Sid. The violent temper of Sir Pertinax, I own, cannot be defended on many occasions, but still— your intended alliance with Lord Lumbercourt

[Exit. Betty. Your servant, John.-Ha, ha, ha! poor fellow he perfectly doats on her; and daily fol- Eger. [With impatience.] O! contemptible !—a lows her about with nosegays and fruit, and the trifling, quaint, haughty, voluptuous, servile tool! first of everything in the season. Ay, and my the mere lacquey of party and corruption; who, young master, Charles, too, is in as bad a way as for the prostitution of near thirty years, and the the gardener:-in short, everybody loves her, and ruin of a noble fortune, has had the despicable sathat's one reason why I hate her. For my part, I tisfaction, and the infamous honour, of being kicked wonder what the deuce the men see in her a crea-up and kicked down, kicked in and kicked out ture that was taken in for charity; I'm sure she's just as the insolence, compassion, or convenience not so handsome. I wish she was out of the family of leaders predominated and now, being forsaker once; if she was, I might ther. stand a chance of by all parties, his whole political consequence being my lady's favourite myself-ay, and perhaps amounts to the power of franking a letter, and the of getting one of my young masters for a sweet-right honourable privilege of not paying a tradesheart, or at least the chaplain : but as to him, there man's bill.

would be no such great catch if I should get him. Sid. Well, but, dear Charles, you are not to wed I will try for him, however; and my first step my lord, but his daughter. shall be to tell the 'doctor all I have discovered Eger. Who is as disagreeable to me for a comabout Constantia's intrigues with her spark at Had-panion, as her father for a friend or an ally. ley. Yes, that will do; for the doctor loves to Sid. What, her Scotch accent, I suppose, offends talk with me-loves to hear me talk, too; and I you? verily believe-he, he, he! that he has a sneaking kindness for me, and this story will make him have a good opinion of my honesty, and that, I am sure, will be one step towards-O! bless me, here he comes, and my young master with him. I'll watch an opportunity to speak to him as soon as he is alone, for I will blow her up, I am as resolved, as great a favourite and as cunning as she is. [Exit. Enter EGERTON, SIDNEY following, as if in earnest.

conversation.

Sid. Nay, dear Charles, but why are you so impetuous? Why do you break from me so abruptly?

Eger. I have done, sir; you have refused. I have nothing more to say upon the subject. I am satisfied.

Sid. Come, come, correct this warmth-it is the only weak ingredient in your nature, and you ought to watch it carefully. Because I will not abet an unwarrantable passion by an abuse of my sacred character, in marrying you beneath your rank, and in direct opposition to your father's hopes and happiness-you blame me, you angrily break from me, and call me unkind.

Eger. No, upon my honour; not in the least; I think it entertaining in her: but, were it otherwise, in decency, and indeed in national affection, being a Scotchman myself, I can have no objection to her on that account: besides, she is my near re lation.

Sid. So I understand. But pray, Charles, how came Lady Rodolpha, who I find was born in England, to be bred in Scotland?

Eger. From the dotage of an old, formal, obstinate, stiff, rich, Scotch grandmother, who, upon a promise of leaving this grandchild all her fortune, would have the girl sent to her to Scotland, when she was but a year old, and there has she been ever ince, bred up with this old lady, in all the vanity and unlimited indulgence that fondness and admiration could bestow on a spoiled child, a fancied beauty, and a pretended wit: and is this a woman fit to make my happiness? this the partner that Sidney would recommend to me for life?—to you, who best know me, I appeal.

Sid. Why, Charles, it is a delicate point, unfit for me to determine; besides, your father has set his heart upon the match.

Eger. All that I know; but still I ask and in

Sid. Very true, Mrs. Betty-very true, indeed.
Betty. Oh! heavens forbid that I should take

sist upon your candid judgment: is she the kid of woman that you think could possibly contribute to my happiness? I beg you will give me an ex-away any young woman's good name, unless I had plicit answer.

Sid. The subject is disagreeable; but, since I must speak, I do not think she is.

Eger. I know you do not; and I am sure you never will advise the match.

Sid. I never will-I never will.

Eger. You make me happy; which, I assure you, I never could be with your judgment against me in this point.

a good reason for it; but, sir, [In a tone of vulgar positiveness] if 1 am in this place alive, as I listened, with my ear close to the door, I heard my young master ask Miss Constantia the plain marriage question; upon which I started and trembled, nay, my very conscience stirred within me so, that I could not help peeping through the key hole.

Sid. Ha, ha, ha! and so your conscience made you peep through the key-hole, Mrs. Betty?

Betty. It did, indeed, sir; and there I saw my young master upon his knees-Lord bless us-and what do you think he was doing?-kissing her

Sid. But pray, Charles, suppose I had been so indiscreet as to have agreed to marry you to Constantia, would she have consented, think you? Eger. That I cannot say positively; but I sup-hand as if he would eat it, and protesting, and pose so.

Sid. Did you never speak to her upon that subject then?

Eger. In general terms only: never directly requested her consent in form. But I will this very moment; for I have no asylum from my father's arbitrary design, but my Constantia's arms. Pray do not stir from hence; I will return instantly. know she will submit to your advice; and I am sure you will persuade her to my wish, as my life, my peace, my earthly happiness, depend on my Constantia. [Exit. Sid. Poor Charles! he little dreams that I love Constantia too; but to what degree I knew not myself, till he importuned me to join their hands. Yes-I love-but must not be a rival, for he is dear to me as fraternal affinity.

Enter BETTY.

assuring her, he knew that you, sir, would consent to the match, and then the tears ran down her cheeks as fast

Sid. Ay !

Betty. They did indeed. I would not tell your reverence a lie for the world.

Sid. I believe it, Mrs. Betty; and what did Constantia say to all this?

Betty. Oh-Oh! she is sly enough; she looks as if butter would not melt in her mouth; but all is not gold that glisters-smooth water, you know, sir, runs deepest: I am sorry my young master makes such a fool of himself; but, um-take my word for it, he is not the man; for, though she looks as modest as a maid at a christening-yetah!-when sweethearts meet, in the dusk of the evening, and stay together a whole hour, in the dark grove, and embrace, and kiss, and weep at parting-why, then, you know, sir, it is easy to

Betty. I beg pardon for my intrusion, sir. I guess all the rest. hope, sir, I don't disturb your reverence? Sid. Not in the least, Mrs. Betty.

Sid. Why, did Constantia meet anybody in this

manner.

Betty. I humbly beg you will excuse me, sir; Betty. [With affected modesty.] O! heavens! I but I wanted to break my mind to your honour-beg, sir, you will not misapprehend me; for, I about a scruple that lies upon my conscience; and indeed I should not have presumed to trouble you, sir, but that I know you are my young master's friend, and my old master's friend, and, indeed, a friend to the whole family; for, to give you your due, sir, you are as good a preacher as ever went into a pulpit.

Sid. Ha, ha, ha! do you think so, Mrs. Betty? Betty. Ay, in truth do I; and as good a gentleman, too, as ever came into a family, and one that never gives a servant a bad word, nor that does any one an ill turn, neither behind their back nor before their face.

Sid. Ha, ha, ha! why, you are a mighty wellspoken woman, Mrs. Betty, and I am mightily beholden to you for your good character of me.

Beity. Indeed, sir, it is no more than you deserve, and what all the world and all the servants say of you.

Sid. I am much obliged to them, M. Betty; but, pray, what are your commands with me?

assure you, I do not believe they did any harmthat is, not in the grove; at least, not when I was there; and she may be honestly married, for aught I know. O! lud, sir, I would not say an ill thing of Miss Constantia for the world. I only say they did meet in the dark walk; and all the servants observe that Miss Constantia wears her stays very loose, looks very pale, is sick in the morning and after dinner; and, as sure as my name is Betty Hint, something has happened that I won't name; but, nine months hence, a certain person in this family may ask me to stand godmother: for I think I know what's what, when I see it, as well as another.

Sid. No doubt you do, Mrs. Betty.

Betty. I do, indeed, sir: [Going] and so, your servant, sir. [Returning.] But I hope your worship won't mention my name in this business; or that you had an item from me.

Sid. I shall not, Mrs. Betty.

sir, I hate all tittling and tattling, and gossiping and backbiting, and taking away a person's good

name.

Sid. I observe you do, Mrs. Betty.

Betty. For, indeed, sir, I am no busybody, nor Betty. Why, I'll tell you, sir-to be sure, I am do I love fending nor proving; and I assure you, but a servant, as a body may say-and every tub should stand upon its own bottom; but-[She lays her hand familiarly on his shoulder, speaking in a deep whisper]-my young master is now in the china-room, in close conference with Miss Constantia. I know what they are about, but that is no business of mine; and, therefore, I made bold to listen a little-because, you know, sir, one would be sure, before one took away anybody's reputation.

it

Betty. I do, indeed, sir. I am the farthest from in the world.

Sid. I dare say you are.

Betty. I am, indeed, sir; and so your humbl

servant.

Sid. Your servant, Mrs. Betty.

Betty. [Aside, in an exulting air.] So! I see he believes every word I say-that's charming. I'll do her business for her, I'm resolved. [Erit. Sid. What can this ridiculous creature mean by her dark walk, her private spark, her kissing, and all her slanderous insinuations against Constantia, whose conduct is as unblamable as innocence itself? I see envy is as malignant in a paltry waiting wench, as in the vainest or most ambitious lady of the court. It is always an infallible mark of the basest nature; and merit in the lowest, as well as in the highest station, must feel the shaft of envy's constant agents-falsehood and slander. [Erit.

ACT II.

SCENE I-A Library,

Enter CONSTANTIA and EGERTON. Con. Mr. Sidney is not here, sir. Eger. I assure you I left him, and begged he would stay till I returned.

Con. His prudence, you see, sir, has made him retire; therefore we had better defer the subject till he is present; in the mean time, sir, I hope you will permit me to mention an affair that has greatly alarmed and perplexed me: I suppose you guess what it is?

Eger. I do not, upon my word.

Con. That is a little strange. You know, sir, that you and Mr. Sidney did me the honour of breakfasting with me this morning in my little study.

Eger. We had that happiness, madam.

Con. Just after you left me, upon opening my book of accounts, which lay in the draw of the reading-desk, to my great surprise, I there found this case of jewels, containing a most elegant pair of ear-rings, a necklace of great value, and two bank-bills in this pocket-book, the mystery of which, sir, I presume, you can explain?

Eger. I can.

Con. They were of your conveying, then?
Eger. They were, madam.

Con. I assure you they startled and alarmed me. Eger. I hope it was a kind of alarm, such as blushing virtue feels, when, with her hand, she gives her heart and last consent.

Con. It was not, indeed, sir.

Eger. Do not say so, Constantia: come, be kind at once; my peace and worldly bliss depend upon this moment.

Con. What would you have me do? Eger. What love and virtue dictate. Con. O! sir, experience but too severely proves, that such unequal matches as ours, never produce aught but contempt and anger in parents, censure from the world, and a long train of sorrow and repentance in the wretched parties; which is but too often entailed upon their hapless issue.

Eger. But that, Constantia, cannot be our case: my fortune is independent and ample; equal to luxury and splendid folly. I have a right to choose the partner of my heart.

Con. But I have not, sir; I am a dependant on my lady-a poor, forsaken, helpless orphan; your benevolent mother found me, took me to her bosom,

and there supplied my parental loss, with every tender care, indulgent dalliance-and with all the sweet persuasion that maternal fondness, religious precept, polished manners, and hourly example could administer-she fostered me: [Weeps] and shall I now turn viper, and with black ingratitude sting the tender heart that thus hath cherished me? Shall I seduce her house's heir, and kill her peace? No; though I loved to the mad extreme of female fondness; though every worldly bliss that woman's vanity or man's ambition could desire, followed the indulgence of my love, and all the contempt and misery of this life, the denial of that indulgence, I would discharge my duty to my benefactress-my earthly guardian, my more than parent.

Eger. My dear Constantia, your prudence, your gratitude, and the cruel virtue of your self-denial, do but increase my love, my admiration, and my misery.

Con. Sir, I must beg you will give me leave to return these bills and jewels.

Eger. Pray do not mention them: sure my kindness and esteem may be indulged so far without suspicion or reproach—I beg you will accept of them; nay, I insist.

Con. I have done, sir; my station here is to obey. I know, sir, they are gifts of a virtuous mind; and mine shall convert them to the tenderest and most grateful use.

Eger. Hark! I hear a coach: it is my father. Dear girl, retire and compose yourself. I will send my lady and Sidney to you; and by their judgment we will be directed: will that satisfy you?

Con. I can have no will but my lady's. With your leave, I will retire; I would not see her in this confusion. [Exit CONSTANTIA.

Eger. Dear girl, adieu'

Enter SAM.

Sam. Sir Pertinax and my lady are come, sir; and my lady desires to speak with you in her own room: Oh here she is, sir. [Exit.

Enter Lady MACSYCOPHANT.

Lady M. [Greatly agitated.] Dear child, I am. glad to see you: why did not you come to town yesterday, to attend the levee? your father is incensed to the utmost at your not being there.

Eger. Madam, it is with extreme regret I tell you, that I can be no longer a slave to his temper, his politics, and his scheme of marrying me to this woman; therefore you had better consent at once to my going out of the kingdom, and my taking Constantia with me-for without her 1 never can be happy.

Lady M. As you regard my peace, or your own character, I beg you will not be guilty of so rash a step. You promised me you never would marry her without my consent. I will open it to your father. Pray, dear Charles, be ruled: let me prevail.

Sir P. [Without, in great anger.] Sir, wull yo do as ye are bid, and haud your gab, you rascal ! You are so full of gab, you scoundrel Take the chesnut gelding, return to toon directly, and see what is become of my Lord Lumbercourt.

Lady M. Here he comes. I will get out of his way. But, I beg, Charles, while he is in this ill humour, that you will not oppose him, let him say what he will-when his passion is a little cool, I

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will return, and try to bring him to reason-but do with your mother's family-with the opposeetion not thwart him.

Eger. Madam, I will not.

[Exit Lady MACSYCOPHANT. Sir P. [Without.] Here, you Tomlins, where is my son Egerton?

Tom. [Without.] In the library, sir.

and with those who do not wish well to Scotland: besides, sir, the other day, in a conversation, at dinner, at your cousin Campbell M'Kenzie's, before a whole table full of your ain relations, did you not publicly wish a total extinguishment to aw party, and of aw national distinctions whatever,

Sir P. [Without.] As soon as the lawyers come, relative to the three kingdoms?-[With great be sure bring me word.

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there was necessary.

Sir P. [Snapping him up.] Sir, it was necessary; I tauld you it was necessary; and, sir, I must now tell you that the whole tenor of your conduct is most offensive.

Eger. I am sorry you think so, sir; I am sure I do not mean to offend you.

Sir P. I care not what you intend. Sir, I tell you, you do offend. What is the meaning of this conduct, sir?-neglect the levee !-'death, sir, you what is your reason, I say, for thus neglecting the levee, and disobeying my commands?

Eger. [With a stifled filial resentment.] Sir, I zm not used to levees; nor do I know how to dispose of myself; nor what to say or do in such a situation.

anger.]-And, you blockhead-was that a prudent wish before so many of your ain countrymen? or was it a filial language to hold before me?

Eger. Sir, with your pardon, I cannot think it unfilial or imprudent.-[With a most patriotic warmth.]-I own I do wish-most ardently wish for a total extinction of all party; particularlythat those of English, Irish, and Scotch, might never more be brought into contest or competition, unless, like loving brothers, in generous emulation for one common cause.

Sir P. How, si:! do you persist? what! would
you banish aw party, and aw distinction between
English, Irish, and your ain countrymen?
Eger. [With great dignity of spirit.] I would,

sir.

Sir P. Then damn you, sir, you are nae true Scot. Ay, sir, you may look as angry as you will, but again I say, you are nae true Scot.

Eger. Your pardon, sir, think he is the true Scot and the true citizen, who wishes equal justice to the merit and demerit of every subject of Great Britain; amongst whom I know but of two distinctions.

Sir P. Weel, sir, and what are those-what are those?

Eger. The knave and the honest man.
Sir P. Pshaw! rideeculous.

Sir P. [With a proud angry resentment.] Zounds, sir, do you not see what others do? gentle and Eger. And he who makes any other-let him be simple, temporal and spiritual, lords, members, of the north, or of the south—of the east, or of the judges, generals, and bishops; aw crowding, bust-west-in place, or out of place, is an enemy to the ling, and pushing foremost intill the middle of the whole, and to the virtues of humanity. circle, and there waiting, watching, and striving Sir P. Ay, sir, this is your brother's impudent to catch a look or a smile fra the great mon, which doctrine, for the which I have banished him for they meet wi' an amicable reesibility of aspect-a ever fra my presence, my heart, and my fortune. modest cadence of body, and a conciliating co-ope- Sir, I will have no son of mine, because truly he ration of the whole mon; which expresses an offi- has been educated in an English seminary, precious promptitude for his service, and indicates sume, under the mask of candour, to speak against that they luock upon themselves as the suppliant his native land, or against my principles. Scotchappendages of his power, and the enlisted Swiss of men, sir, Scotchmen, wherever they meet throughbis poleetical fortune; this, sir, is what you ought out aw the globe, should unite, and stick together, to do, and this, sir, is what I never once omitted as it were in a political phalanx. However, nae for this five-and-thraty years, let who would be mair of that now; I will talk at large to you about minister. that anon. In the meanwhile, sir, notwithstanding your contempt of my advice, and your disobedience till my commands, I will convince you of my paternal attention till your welfare, by my management of this voluptuary-this Lord Lumbercourt, whose daughter you are to marry. You ken, sir, that the fellow has been my patron above these five-and-thraty years.

Eger. [Aside.] Contemptible!

Sir P. What is that you mutter, sir? Eger. Only a slight reflection, sir, not relative to you.

Eger. True, sir.

Sir P. Sir, your absenting yourself fra the levee at this juncture is suspeecious-it is looked upon as a kind of disaffection, and aw your countrymen are highly offended at your conduct. For this, sir, they do not look upon you as a friend or weelSir P. Vary weel. And now, sir, you see, by wisher either to Scotland or Scotchmen. his prodigality, he is become my dependant; and, Eger. [With a quick warmth.] Then, sir, they accordingly, I have made my bargain with him; wrong me, I assure you; but, pray, sir, in what the devil a baubee he has in the world but what particular can I be charged, either with coldness comes through these clutches; for his whole estate, or offence to my country. which has three impleecit boroughs upon it-mark Sir P. Why, sir, ever since your mother's uncle, is now in my custody at nurse; the which estate, Sir Stanley Egerton, left you bis three thousand on my paying off his debts, and allowing him a life pounds a-year, and that you have, in compliance rent of five thousand pounds per annum, is to be with his will, taken up the name of Egerton, they made over till me for my life, and at my death is think you are grown proud-that you have estranged to descend till ye and your issue. The peerage of yourself fra the Macsycophants have associated Lumbercourt, you ken, will follow of course.

So,

sir, you see, there are three impleecit boroughs, my head this morning," I believe we drank pretty the whole patrimony of Lumbercourt, and a peer-deep ere we parted; ha, ha, ha! age at one slap. Why, it is a stroke-a hit-a Sir P. Ha, ha, ha! nay, if you were with that hit. Zounds! sir, a mon may live a century, and party, my lord, I do not wonder at not seeing your not make sic an hit again. lordship at the levee.

Eger. It is a very advantageous bargain, indeed, sir; but what will my lord's family say to it? Sir P. Why, mon, he cares not if his family were aw at the devil, so his luxury is but gratified; only let him have his race-horse to feed his vanity; his harridan to drink, drams with him, scrat his face, and burn his perriwig, when she is in her maudlin hysterics; and three or four discontented patriotic dependants to abuse the ministry, and settle the affairs of the nation, when they are aw intoxicated; and then, sir, the fellow has aw his wishes, and aw his wants, in this world and the

next.

Enter TOMLINS.

Tom. Lady Rodolpha is come, sir.
Sir P. And my lord?

Tom. Not yet, sir; he is about a mile behind, the servants say.

Sir P. Let me know the instant he arrives.
Tom. I shall, sir.

Lord L. The truth is, Sir Pertinax, my fellow let me sleep too long for the levee. But I wish I had seen you before you left town; I wanted you dreadfully.

Sir P. I am heartily sorry that I was not in the way; but on what account did you want me? Lord L. Ha, ha, ha! a cursed awkward affairand-Ha, ha, ha!-yet I can't help laughing at it, neither, though it vexed me confoundedly.

Sir P. Vexed you, my lord! Zounds, I wish I had been with you! But, for Heaven's sake, my lord, what was it that could possibly vex your lordship?

Lord L. Why, that impudent, teasing, dunning rascal, Mahogany, my upholsterer :-you know the fellow?

Sir P. Perfectly, my lord.

Lord L. The impudent scoundrel has sued me up to some damned kind of a-something or other in the law, that I think they call an execution. Sir P. The rascal !

[Exit. Sir P. Step you out, Charles, and receive Lady Rodolpha; and, I desire you will treat her with as much respect and gallantry as possible; for my lord has hinted that you have been very remiss as a lover. Adzooks, Charles, you should administer a whole torrent of flattery till her; for a woman Le'er thinks a mon loves her, till he has made an idiot of her understanding by flattery: flattery is the prime bliss of the sex, the nectar and ambrosia of their charms, and you can ne'er gi' 'em o'er muckle on't; so, there's a guid lad, gang and mind your flattery. [Exit EGERTON.] Hah! I must keep a devilish tight hand upon this fellow. Ah! I am frightened out of my wits, lest his mother's family should seduce him to desert to their party, which would totally ruin my whole scheme, and break my heart. A fine time of day for a blockhead to turn patriot-when the character is exploded,mediately. marked, proscribed! Why the common people, Sir P. Vary weel, vary weel; you were as comthe vary vulgar, have found out the jest, and laugh plaisant to the scoundrel till the full, I think, my at a patriot now-a-days, just as they do at a con- lord. jurer, a magician, or any other impostor in society.

Lord L. Upon which, sir, the fellow, by way of asking pardon-ha, ha, ha!-had the modesty to wait on me two or three days ago, to inform my honour-ha, ha, ha!-as he was pleased to dignify me, that the execution was now ready to be put in force against my honour; but that, out of respect to my honour, as he had taken a great deal of my honour's money, he would not suffer his lawyer to serve it, till he had first informed my honour, because he was not willing to affront my honour-ha, ha, ha!-a son of a w―!

Enter TOMLINS and Lord LUMBERCOURT. Tom. Lord Lumbercourt.

[Exit.

Lord L. Sir Pertinax, I kiss your hand. Sir P. Your lordship's most devoted. Lord L. Why, you stole a march upon me this morning; gave me the slip, Mac; though I never wanted your assistance more in my life. I thought you would have called upon me.

Sir P. My dear lord, I beg ten millions of pardons for leaving town before you; but ye ken that your lordship, at dinner yesterday, settled it that we should meet this morning at the levee.

Lord L. That I acknowledge, Mac; I did promise to be there, I own.

Sir P. You did, indeed; and accordingly I was at the levee, and waited there till every soul was gone, and, seeing you did not come, I concluded that your lord-hip was gone before.

Lord L. Why, to confess the truth, my dear Mac, those old sinners, Lord Freakish, General Jolly, Sir Anthony Soaker, and two or three more of that set, laid hold of me last night at the Opera; and, as the General says, "from the intelligence of

Sir P. I never heard of so impudent a dog.

Lord L. Now, my dear Mac-ha, ha, ha!-a3 the scoundrel's apology was so very satisfactory, and his information so very agreeable, I told him that, in honour, I thought that my honour could not do less than to order his honour to be paid im

Lord L. You shall hear, you shall hear, Mac :so, sir, with great composure, seeing a smart oaken cudgel that stood very handily in a corner of my dressing-room, I ordered two of my fellows to hold the rascal, and another to take the cudgel, and return the scoundrel's civility with a good drubbing, as long as the stick lasted.

Sir P. Ha, ha, ha! admirable! as good a stroke of humour as ever I heard of. And, did they druh him, my lord?

Lord L. Most liberally, most liberally, sir; and there I thought the affair would have rested, till I should think proper to pay the scoundrel; but this morning, just as I was stepping into my chaise, my servants about me, a fellow, called a tipstaff, stepped up, and begged the favour of my footman, who threshed the upholsterer, and of the two that held him, to go along with him upon a little business to my Lord Chief Justice.

Sir P. The devil!

Lord L. And at the same instant, I, in my turn, was accosted by two other very civil scoundrels, who, with a most insolent politeness, begged my pardon, and informed me that I must not go into my own chaise !

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