gang and give me their suffrages; weel! what is the inference?  Pray, sir, can you, or any lawyer, divine, or casuist, cawl this a bribe?  Nai, sir, in fair political reasoning, it is ainly generosity on the one side, and gratitude on the other.  So, sir, let me have nai mair of your religious or philosophical refinements, but prepare, attend, and speak till the question, or you are nai son of mine.  Sir, I insist upon it.

    Enter SAM.

Sam.  Sir, my lord says the writings are now ready, and his lordship and the lawyers are waiting for you and Mr. Egerton.

Sir Per.  Vary weel:  we’ll attend his lordship. [Exit Sam.] I tell you, Charles, aw this conscientious refinement in politics is downright ignorance, and impracticable romance; and, sir, I desire I may hear no more of it.  Come, sir, let us gang down and finish this business.

Eger. [Stopping Sir Per. as he is going off,] Sir, with your permission, I beg you will first hear a word or two upon this subject.

Sir Per.  Weel, sir, what would you say?

Eger.  I have often resolved to let you know my aversion to this match.—­

Sir Per.  How, sir!

Eger.  But my respect, and fear of disobliging you, have hitherto kept me silent—­

Sir Per.  Your aversion! your aversion, sir! how dare you use sic language till me?  Your aversion!  Look you, sir, I shall cut the matter vary short:—­consider, my fortune is nai inheritance; aw mine ain acquisition:  I can make ducks and drakes of it; so do not provoke me, but sign the articles directly.

Eger.  I beg your pardon, sir, but I must be free on this occasion, and tell you at once, that I can no longer dissemble the honest passion that fills my heart for another woman.

Sir Per.  How! another woman! and, you villain, how dare you love another woman without my leave?  But what other woman—­wha is she?  Speak, sir, speak.

Eger.  Constantia.

Sir Per.  Constantia! oh, you profligate! what! a creature taken in for charity!

Eger.  Her poverty is not her crime, sir, but her misfortune:  her birth is equal to the noblest; and virtue, tho’ covered with a village garb, is virtue still; and of more worth to me than all the splendor of ermined pride or redundant wealth.  Therefore, sir—­

Sir Per.  Haud your jabbering, you villain, haud your jabbering; none of your romance or refinement till me.  I have but one question to ask you—­but one question—­and then I have done with you for ever, for ever; therefore think before you answer:—­Will you marry the lady, or will you break my heart?

Eger.  Sir, my presence shall not offend you any longer:  but when reason and reflection take their turn, I am sure you will not be pleased with yourself for this unpaternal passion. [Going.