Miss R. Pray, sir, what was it?

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

Sir W. Did you, sir?

Lofty. Either you or I, sir?

Miss R. 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 toast-master to a club, or had a better head.

Miss R. A better head?

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 W. 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 W. 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 R. Oh, 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 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 W. 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 arrived 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 not have been quite so well acquainted.

[Aside.

Sir W. He is certainly returned; 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 despatch and his inspection.

Miss R. 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. Sir William shall even wait upon him, if you think proper to command it.

Sir W. That would be quite unnecessary.

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

Sir W. 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 W. 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 W. 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 R. 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 W. 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 colourings, like those employed to heighten beauty, only seem to mend that bloom which they contribute to destroy.

Enter JARVIS.

How now, Jarvis, where's your master, my nephew? Jarvis. At his wit's end, I believe; he's scarce got out of one scrape, but he's running his head into another.

Sir W. 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 W. Ever busy to serve others.

Jarvis. Ay, 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 W. Money! how is he able to supply others, who has scarce 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 his upon a merchant in the city, which I am to get changed; for you must know that I am to go with them to Scotland myself.

Sir W. How !

Jarvis. It seems the young gentleman is obliged to take a different road from his mistress, as he is to call upon an uncle of his that lives out of the way, in order to prepare a place for their reception, when they return; so they have borrowed me from my master, as the properest person to attend the young lady down.

Sir W. To the land of matrimony! A pleasant journey, Jarvis.

Jarvis. Ay, but I'm only to have all the fatigues on't.

Sir W. Well, it may be shorter, and less fatiguing, than you imagine. I know but too much of the young lady's family and connexions, whom I have seen abroad. I have also discovered that Miss Richland is not indifferent to my thoughtless nephew; and will endeavour, though I fear, in vain, to establish that connexion. But, come, the letter I wait for must be almost finished; I'll let you further into my intentions, in the next room. [Exeunt.

ACT THE FOURTH.

SCENE 1.

CROAKER'S House.

Enter LOFTY.

Lofty. Well, sure the devil's in me of late, for running my head into such defiles, as nothing but a ge

nius like my own, could draw me from. I was formerly contented to husband out my places and pensions with some degree of frugality; but, curse it, of late, I have given away the whole Court Register in less time than they could print the title page; yet, hang it, why scruple a lie or two, to come at a fine girl, when I every day tell a thousand for nothing. Ha! Honeywood here before me. Could Miss Richland have set him at liberty?

Enter HONEYWOOD.

Mr. Honeywood, I'm glad to see you abroad again. I find my concurrence was not necessary in your unfortunate affairs. I had put things in a train to do your business; but it is not for me to say what I intended doing.

Mr. H. It was unfortunate indeed, sir. But what adds to my uneasiness, is, that while you seem to be acquainted with my misfortune, I, myself, continue still a stranger to my benefactor.

Lofty. How! not know the friend that served you? Mr. H. Can't guess at the person,

Lofty. Inquire.

Mr. H. I have, but all I can learn, is, that he chuses to remain concealed, and that all inquiry must be fruitless.

Lofty. Must be fruitless ?

Mr. H. Absolutely fruitless.
Lofty. Sure of that?

Mr. H. Very sure.

Lofty. Then I'll be damned if you shall ever know it from me.

Mr. H. How, sir?

Lofty. I suppose, now, Mr. Honeywood, you think my rent-roll very considerable, and that I have vast sums of money to throw away;--I know you do.The world, to be sure, says such things of me.