Eger.  She knows of my passion, and will, I am sure, be a friend to the common cause.

Lady Rod.  Ah! that’s lucky.  Our first step then must be to take her advice upon our conduct, so as to keep our fathers in the dark till we can hit off some measure that will wind them about till our ain purpose, and the common interest of our ain passion.

Eger.  You are very right, madam, for, should my father suspect my brother’s affection for your ladyship, or mine for Constantia, there is no guessing what wou’d be the consequence.—­His whole happiness depends upon this bargain with my lord; for it gives him the possession of three boroughs, and those, madam, are much dearer to him than the happiness of his children.  I am sorry to say it, but, to gratify his political rage, he wou’d sacrifice every social tie, that is dear to friend or family. [Exeunt.

END OF THE THIRD ACT.

ACT IV.  SCENE I.

    Enter Sir PERTINAX, and Counsellor PLAUSIBLE.

Sir Per.  No, no.—­Come away, Counsellor Plausible;—­come away, I say;—­let them chew upon it.—­Why, counsellor, did you ever see so impertinent, so meddling, and so obstinate a blockhead, as that Serjeant Eitherside?  Confound the fellow—­he has put me out of aw temper.

Plaus.  He is very positive, indeed, Sir Pertinax,—­and no doubt was intemperate and rude.  But, Sir Pertinax, I wou’d not break off the match notwithstanding; for certainly, even without the boroughs, it is an advantageous bargain both to you and your son.

Sir Per.  But, zounds!  Plausible, do you think I will give up the nomination till three boroughs?—­Why I wou’d rather give him twenty, nay thirty thousand pounds in any other part of the bargain:—­especially at this juncture, when votes are likely to become so valuable.—­Why, man, if a certain affair comes on, they will rise above five hundred per cent.

Plaus.  You judge very rightly, Sir Pertinax;—­but what shall we do in this case? for Mr. Serjeant insists that you positively agreed to my lord’s having the nomination to the three boroughs during his own life.

Sir Per.  Why yes,—­in the first sketch of the agreement, I believe I did consent:—­but at that time, man, my lord’s affairs did not appear to be half so desperate, as I now find they turn out.—­Sir, he must acquiesce in whatever I demand, for I have got him intill sic an a hobble that he cannot——­

Plaus.  No doubt, Sir Pertinax, you have him absolutely in your power.

Sir Per.  Vary weel:—­And ought rial a man to make his vantage of it?

Plaus.  No doubt you ought;—­no manner of doubt.—­But, Sir Pertinax, there is a secret spring in this business, that you do not seem to perceive;—­and which, I am afraid, governs the matter respecting these boroughs.