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Enter LOFTY.

Lofty.

Is the coast clear? None but friends.

I have fol

lowed you here with a trifling piece of intelligence; but it goes no farther things are not yet ripe for a discovery. I have spirits working at a certain board; your affair at the treasury will be done in less thana thousand years. Mum!

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Why, yes, I believe it may, if it falls into proper hands, that know where to push, and where to parry ; that know how the land lies-eh, Honeywood!

Miss Richland.

It has fallen into yours.

Lofty.

Well, to keep you no longer in suspense, your thing is done. It is done, I say that's all. I have just had assurances from Lord Neverout, that the claim has been examined, and found admissible. Quietus is the word, madam.

Honeywood.

But how! his lordship has been at Newmarket these ten days.

Lofty.

Indeed! Then Sir Gilbert Goose must have been most damnably mistaken. I had it of him.

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Miss Richland.

He! why Sir Gilbert and his family have been in the country this month.

Lofty.

This month! it must certainly be so- -Sir Gilbert's letter did come to me from Newmarket, so that he must have met his lordship there; and so it came about. I have his letter about me; I'll read it to you. taking out a large bundle.) That's from Paoli of Corsica, that from the marquis of Squilachi.-Have you a mind to see a letter from Count Poniatowski, now king of Poland-Honest Pon-(Searching.) O, Sir, what are you here too? I'll tell you what, honest friend, if you have not absolutely delivered my letter to Sir William Honeywood, you may return it. The thing will do without him.

Sir William.

Sir, I have delivered it; and must inform you, it was received with the most mortifying contempt.

Croaker.

Contempt! Mr. Lofty, what can that mean?

Lofty.

Let him go on, let him go on, I say. You'll find it come to something presently.

Sir William.

Yes, Sir, I believe you'll be amazed, if after waiting some time in the ante-chamber, after being surveyed with insolent curiosity by the passing servants, I was at last assured, that Sir William Honeywood knew no such person, and I must certainly have been imposed upon.

Lofty.

Good; let me die; very good. Ha! ha! ha!

Croaker.

Now, for my life, I can't find out half the goodness

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founded a bad answer as ever was sent from one private gentleman to another.

Lofty.

And so you can't find out the force of the message? Why, I was in the house at that very time. Ha! ha! It was I that sent that very answer to my own letter. Ha! ha!

Croaker.

Indeed! how! why!

Lofty.

In one word, things between Sir William and me must be behind the curtain. A party has many eyes. He sides with Lord Buzzard, I side with Sir Gilbert Goose. So that unriddles the mystery.

Croaker.

And so it does, indeed; and all my suspicions are

over.

Lofty.

Your suspicions! What, then, you have been suspecting; you have been suspecting, have you? Mr.

Croaker, you and I were friends; we are friends no longer. Never talk to me. It's over; I say, it's over.

Croaker.

As I hope for your favor I did not mean to offend. It escap'd me. Don't be discomposed.

Lofty.

Zounds! Sir, but I am discomposed, and will be discomposed. To be treated thus! Who am I! Was it for this I have been dreaded both by ins and outs? Have I been libelled in the Gazetteer, and praised in the St. James's? have I been chaired at Wildman's, and a speaker at Merchant-Taylors' Hall? have I had my hand to addresses, and my head in the print shops; and talk to me of suspects?

Croaker.

My dear Sir, be pacified. What can you have but asking pardon?

Lofty.

Sir, I will not be pacified-Suspects! Who am I! To be used thus! Have I paid court to men in favor to serve my friends; the lords of the treasury, Sir William Honeywood, and the rest of the gang, and talk to me of suspects! Who am I, I say, who am I?

Sir William.

Since, Sir, you are so pressing for an answer, I'll tell you who you are. A gentleman, as well acquainted with politics as with men in power; as well acquainted with persons of fashion as with modesty ; with lords of the treasury as with truth; and with all, as you are with Sir William Honeywood. I am Sir William Honeywood.

[Discovering his ensigns of the bath.

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So then, my confounded genius has been all this time only leading me up to the garret in order to fling me out of the window.

Croaker.

What, Mr. Importance, and are these your works! Suspect you ? You, who have been dreaded by the ins and outs: you, who have had your hand to addresses, and your head stuck up in print shops. If you were served right, you should have your head stuck up in a pillory.

Lofty.

Aye, stick it where you will; for, by the Lord, it cuts but a very poor figure where it sticks at pre

sent.

Sir William.

Well, Mr. Croaker, I hope you now see how incapable this gentleman is of serving you, and how little Miss Richland has to expect from his influence.

Croaker.

say I

Aye, Sir, too well I see it; and I can't but have had some boding of it these ten days. So I'm resolved, since my son has placed his affections on a fady of moderate fortune, to be satisfied with his choice, and not run the hazard of another Mr. Lofty in helping him to a better.

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