Lofty. Why, yes, madam, I believe Sir William had some reason to confide in my judgment; one little reason, perhaps. Miss Richland. Pray, Sir, what was it? Lofty Why, Madam-but let it go no farther-it was I procured him his place. Sir William. Did you, Sir? Lofty. Either you or I, Sir? Miss Richland. This, Mr. Lofty, was very kind indeed. Lofty. I did love him, to be sure; he had some amusing ¡qualities; no man was fitter to be a toast-master to a club, or had a better head. A better head? Miss Richland. Lofty. Ay, at a bottle. To be sure he was as dull as a choice spirit: but hang it, he was grateful, very grateful; and gratitude hides a multitude of faults. Sir William. He might have reason, perhaps. His place is pretty considerable, 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 person, 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 something-a consequence of form—a kind of a-I believe the lady perceives my meaning.. Miss Richland. O, perfectly you courtiers can do any thing, I see : Lofty. My dear madam, all this is but a mere exchange: we do greater things for one another every day. Why, as thus, now let me suppose you the First Lord of the Treasury; you have an employment in you that I want; I have a place in me that you want; do me here, do you there; interest of both sides, few words, flat, done and done, and it's over. Sir William. A thought strikes me. (Aside.) Now you mention Sir William Honeywood, madam; and as he seems, Sir, an acquaintance of yours; you'll be glad to hear he's arriv'd from Italy; I had it from a friend 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 no have been quite so well acquainted. Aside, Sir William. He is certainly return'd: and, as this gentleman is a friend of yours, he can be of signal service to us, by introducing me to him; there are some papers relative to your affairs, that require dispatch and his inspection. Miss Richland. This gentleman, Mr. Lofty, is a person employed in my affairs: I know you'll serve us. Lofty. My dear madam, I live but to serve you. liam shall even wait upon him, if you think Sir Wil proper to command it. Sir William. That would be quite unnecessary. Lofty. Well, we must introduce you then. Call upon me— let me see-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 cursed Pensacola business comes on this very hour, and I'm engaged to attend another time Sir William. A short letter to Sir William will do.. Lofty. You shall 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. 1 The letter, Sir, will do quite as well. Lofty. Zounds! Sir, do you pretend to direct me? direct me in the business of office? Do you know me, Sir? who am I? Miss Richland. Dear, Mr. Lofty, this request is not so much his as mine; if my commands-but you despise my power. Lofty. Delicate creature! your commands could even control a debate at midnight: to a power so constitutional, I am all obedience and tranquillity. He shall have a letter: where is my secretary! Dubardieu! And yet I protest I don't like this way of doing business. I think if I spoke first to Sir William-But you will have it so. [Exit with Miss Richland. Sir William (alone.) Ha, ha, ha! This too is one of my nephew's hopeful associates. O vanity, thou constant deceiver, how do all thy efforts to exalt, serve but to sink us! Thy false colorings, like those employed to heighten beauty, only seem to mend that bloom which they contribute to destroy. I'm not displeased at this interview: exposing this fellow's impudence to the contempt it deserves, may be of use to my design; at least, if he can reflect, it will be of use to himself. Enter JARVIS. Sir William. How now, Jarvis, where's your master, my nephew? Jarvis. At his wit's ends, I believe: he's scarce gotten out of one scrape, but he's running his head into another. Sir William. How so? Jarvis. The house has but just been cleared of the bailiffs, and now he's again engaging tooth and nail in assisting old Croaker's son to patch up a clandestine match with the young lady that passes in the house for his sister. Sir William. Ever busy to serve others. Jarvis. Aye, any body but himself. The young couple, it seems, are just setting out for Scotland; and he supplies them with money for the journey. Sir William. Money! how is he able to supply others, who hassearce any for himself? Jarvis. Why, there it is: he has no money, that's true; but then, as he never said no to any request in his life, he has given them a bill, drawn by a friend of |