Eger. Sir, suspend your fears and anger but for a few minutes; I will keep my word with you religiously, and bring your Constantia to your arms, as virtuous, and as happy as you could wish her. [Exit with Lady Mac.

Sir Per. The clearing up of this wench’s virtue is damned unlucky:  I am afraid it will ruin aw our affairs again:—­However, I have one stroke still in my head that will secure the bargain with my lord, let matters gang as they will. [Aside.] But I wonder, Maister Melville, that you did nai pick up some little matter of siller in the Indies; ah! there have been bonny fortunes snapt up there, of late years, by some of the military blades.

Mel. It is very true, sir:  but it is an observation among soldiers, that there are some men who never meet with any thing in the service but blows and ill fortune.—­I was one of those, even to a proverb.

Sir Per. Ah! ’tis pity, sir, a great pity now, that you did nai get a Mogul, or some sic an animal, intill your clutches.  Ah!  I should like to have the strangling of a Nabob, the rummaging of his gold dust, his jewel closet, and aw his magazines of bars and ingots.  Ha, ha, ha!—­guid traith naw, sic an a fellow would be a bonny cheeld to bring till this town, and to exhibit him riding on an elephant:  upon honour, a man might raise a poll-tax by him, that would gang near to pay the debts of the nation.

    Enter EGERTON, CONSTANTIA, Lady MACSYCOPHANT, and SIDNEY.

Eger. Sir, I promised to satisfy your fears concerning your daughter’s virtue; and my best proof to you, and all the world, that I think her not only the most chaste, but the most deserving of her sex, is, that I have made her the partner of my heart, and the tender guardian of my earthly happiness for life.

Sir Per. How! married!

Eger. I know, sir, at present we shall meet your anger; but time, reflection, and our dutiful conduct, we hope, will reconcile you to our happiness.

Sir Per. Never, never—­and could I make you, her, and aw your issue, beggars, I would move hell, heaven, and earth, to do it.

Lord Lum. Why, Sir Pertinax, this is a total revolution, and will entirely ruin my affairs.

Sir Per. My lord, with the consent of your lordship, and Lady Rodolpha, I have an expedient to offer, that will not only punish that rebellious villain, but answer every end that your lordship and the lady proposed by the intended match with him.

Lord Lum. I doubt it much, Sir Pertinax—­I doubt it much:—­But what is it, sir?—­What is your expedient?

Sir Per. My lord, I have another son, and, provided the lady and your lordship have nai objection till him, every article of that rebel’s intended marriage shall be amply fulfilled upon Lady Rodolpha’s union with my younger son.

Lord Lum. Why that is an expedient indeed, Sir Pertinax.—­But what say you, Rodolpha?