JARVIS. Aye, any body but himself. The young couple, it feems, are just setting out for Scotland; and he fupplies them with money for the journey. Sir WILLIAM. Money! how is he able to fupply others, who has fcarce any for himself? JARVIS. Why, there it is: he has no money, that's true; but then, as he never faid 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. How! Sir WILLIAM. JARVIS. It feems the young gentleman is obliged to take a different road from his miftrefs, 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; fo they have borrowed me from my master, as the propereft perfon to attend the young lady down. Sir WILLIAM. To the land of matrimony! A pleasant journey, Jarvis. JARVIS. Ay, but I'm only to have all the fatigues on't. Sir WILLIAM. Well, it may be shorter, and less fatiguing, than you imagine, I know but too much of the young lady's family and connections, whom I have seen abroad. I have alfo difcovered that Mifs Richland is not indifferent to my thoughtless nephew; and will endeavour, though I fear, in vain, to establish that connection. But, come, the letter I wait for must be almost finished; I'll let you farther into my intentions, in the next room. [Exeunt. ACT ACT THE FOURTH. SCENE, CROAKER'S Houfe. LOFTY. WELL, fure the devil's in me of late, for run ning my head into fuch defiles, as nothing but a genius like my own could draw me from. I was formerly contented to hufband out my places and penfions with fome degree of frugality; but, curfe it, of late I have given away the whole Court Regifter, in lefs time than they could print the title page yet, hang it, whý fcruple a lie or two to come at a fine girl, when I every day teil a thoufand for nothing. Ha! Honeywood here before me. Could Mifs Richland have fet him at liberty? Enter HONEYWOOD. Mr. Honeywood, I'm glad to fee you abroad again. I find my concurrence was not neceffary in your unfortunate affairs. I had put things in a train to do your business; but it is not for me to say what Į intended doing. Ho HONEYWOOD. It was unfortunate' indeed, Sir. But what adds to my uneafinefs is, that while you seem to be acquainted with my misfortune, I, myfelf, continue ftill a ftranger to my benefactor. LOFTY. How! not know the friend that served you? Can't guess at the perfon. Inquire. LOFTY. HONEYWOOD. I have; but all I can learn is, that he chufes to remain concealed, and that all inquiry muft be fruitless. LOFTY. I fuppofe now, Mr. Honeywood, you think my rent-roll very confiderable, and that I have vast fums of money to throw away; I know you do. The world to be fure fays fuch things of me. HONEYWOOD. The world, by what I learn, is no stranger to your generofity. But where does this tend? LOFTY. To nothing; nothing in the world. The town, to be fure, when it makes fuch a thing as me the fubject of converfation, has afferted, that I never yet patronized a man of merit. HONEYWOOD. I have heard inftances to the contrary, even from yourself. LOFTY. Yes, Honeywood, and there are inftances to the contrary, that you fhall never hear from myself. HONEYWOOD. Ha! dear Sir, permit me to ask you but one question. LOFTY. Sir, ask me no queftions: I fay, Sir, afk me no queftions; I'll be damn'd, if I answer them. HONEYWOOD. I will ask no farther. My friend! my benefactor, it is, it must be here, that I am indebted for freedom, for honour. Yes, thou worthieft of men, from |
