Lord Lum.  I am very glad you think so, Mr. Serjeant, because that is my opinion too:  so, my dear Eitherside, do you and Plausible dispatch the business now as soon as possible.

Serj.  My lord, every thing will be ready in less than an hour.  Come, Mr. Plausible, let us go and fill up the blanks, and put the last hand to the writings on our part.

Plaus.  I attend you, Mr. Serjeant. [Exeunt Lawyers.

Lord Lum.  And while the lawyers are preparing the writings, Sir Pertinax, I will go and saunter with the women.

Sir Per.  Do, do, my lord:  and I will come till you presently.

Lord Lum.  Very well, my dear Mac, I shall expect you.
                               [Exit singing, ‘Sons of care,’ &c.

Sir Per.  So! a little flattery mixt with the finesse of a gilded promise on one side, and a quantum sufficit of the aurum palpabile on the other, have at last made me the happiest father in Great-Britain.  Hah! my heart expands itself, as it were thro’ every part of my whole body, at the completion of this business, and feels nothing but dignity and elevation.—­Hauld! hauld! bide a wee! bide a wee!  I have but one little matter mair in this affair to adjust, and then, Sir Pertinax, you may dictate till Fortune herself, and send her to govern fools, while you shew and convince the world that wise men always govern her.  Wha’s there? [Enter Footman.]—­Tell my son Egerton, I would speak with him here in the library. [Exit Footman]—­Now I have settled the grand point with my lord, this, I think, is the proper juncture to feel the political pulse of my spark, and, once for aw, to set it to the exact measure that I would have it constantly beat. [Enter Egerton.]—­Come hither, Charles.

Eger.  Your pleasure, sir.

Sir Per.  About twa hours since I told you, Charles, that I received this letter express, complaining of your brother’s activity at an election in Scotland against a particular friend of mine, which has given great offence; and, sir, you are mentioned in the letter as weel as he:  to be plain, I must roundly tell you, that on this interview depends my happiness as a father and as a man; and my affection to you, sir, as a son for the remainder of our days.

Eger.  I hope, sir, I shall never do any thing either to forfeit your affection, or disturb your happiness.

Sir Per.  I hope so too—­but to the point.—­The fact is this:  there has been a motion made this vary day to bring on the grand affair—­which is settled for Friday seven-night:—­now, sir, as you are popular—­have talents, and are weel heard, it is expected, and I insist upon it, that you endeavour to atone, sir, for your late misconduct, by preparing, and taking a large share in that question, and supporting it with aw your power.

Eger, Sir, I have always divided as you directed, except on one occasion; never voted against your friends, only in that affair.—­But, sir, I hope you will not so exert your influence as to insist upon my supporting a measure by an obvious, prostituted sophistry, in direct opposition to my character and my conscience.