_ SirPer_.  Why, then my lord, to shorten the dispute, aw that I can say in answer till your lordship is—­that there has been a total mistake betwixt us in that point,—­and therefore the treaty must end here.  I give it up.—­ O!  I wash my hands of it for ever.

Plaus.  Well, but gentlemen, gentlemen, a little patience.—­Sure this mistake, some how or other, may be rectified.—­Pr’ythee, Mr. Serjeant, let you and I step into the next room by ourselves, and reconsider the clause relative to the boroughs, and try if we cannot hit upon a medium that will be agreeable to both parties.

Serj. [With great warmth.] Mr. Plausible, I have considered the clause fully;—­am entirely master of the question;—­my lord cannot give up the point.—­It is unkind and unreasonable to expect it.

Plaus. Nay, Mr. Serjeant, I beg you will not misunderstand me.  Do not think I want his lordship to give up any point without an equivalent.—­Sir Pertinax, will you permit Mr. Serjeant and me to retire a few moments to reconsider this point?

Sir Per.  With aw my heart, Maister Plausible; any thing to oblige his lordship—­any thing to accomodate his lordship—­any thing.

Plaus. What say you, my lord?

Lord Lum Nay, I submit it entirely to you and Mr. Serjeant.

Plaus. Come, Mr. Serjeant, let us retire.

Lord Lum.  Ay, ay,—­go, Mr. Serjeant, and hear what Mr. Plausible has to say.

Serj.  Nay, I’ll wait on Mr. Plausible, my lord, with all my heart; but I am sure I cannot suggest the shadow of a reason for altering my present opinion:  impossible—­impossible.

Plaus.  Well, well, Mr. Serjeant, do not be positive.  I am sure, reason, and your client’s conveniency, will always make you alter your opinion.

Serj.  Ay, ay—­reason, and my client’s conveniency, Mr. Plausible, will always controul my opinion, depend upon it:  ay, ay! there you are right.  Sir, I attend you. [Exeunt Lawyers.

Sir Per.  I am sorry, my lord, extremely sorry indeed, that this mistake has happened.

Lord Lum.  Upon my honour, and so am I, Sir Pertinax.

Sir Per.  But come now, after aw, your lordship must allow you have been in the wrong:  come, my dear lord, you must allow me that now.

Lord Lum.  How so, my dear Sir Pertinax?

Sir Per.  Not about the boroughs, my lord, for those I do no mind of a bawbee;—­but about your distrust of my friendship.—­Why, do you think now—­I appeal till your ain breast, my lord—­do you think, I say, that I should ever have slighted your lordship’s nomination till these boroughs.

Lord Lum.  Why, really, I do not think you would, Sir Pertinax, but one must be directed by one’s lawyer, you know.