_Sir Simon._ Then, while Lady Caroline is at her toilet, we'll dash into business at once; for I know your lordship is a man of few words. They tell me, my lord, you have sat in the Upper House, and said nothing but aye and no, there, for these thirty years. _Lord Fitz._ I spoke, for more than a minute, in the year of the influenza. _Sir Simon._ Bless me! the epidemic, perhaps, raging among the members, at the moment. _Lord Fitz._ Yes;--they cough'd so loud, I left off in the middle. _Sir Simon._ And you never attempted again. _Lord Fitz._ I hate to talk much, Sir Simon;--'tis my way; though several don't like it. _Sir Simon._ I do. I consider it as a mark of your lordship's discretion. The less you say, my lord, in my mind, the wiser you are; and I have often thought it a pity, that some noble orators hav'n't follow'd your lordship's example.--But, here are the writings. [_Sitting down with LORD FITZ BALAAM, and taking them from the Table._] We must wave ceremony now, my lord; for all this pile of parchment is built on the independent four thousand a year of your daughter, Lady Caroline, on one hand, and your lordship's incumbrances, on the other. _Lord Fitz._ I have saddles on my property, Sir Simon. _Sir. Simon._ Which saddles, your lordship's property being uncommonly small, look something like sixteen stone upon a poney. The Fitz Balaam estate, for an earl, is deplorably narrow. _Lord Fitz._ Yet, it has given security for a large debt. _Sir Simon._ Large, indeed! I can't think how you have contriv'd it. 'Tis the Archbishop of Brobdignag, squeez'd into Tom Thumb's pantaloons. _Lord Fitz._ Mine is the oldest estate in England, Sir Simon. _Sir Simon._ If we may judge of age by decay, my lord, it must be very ancient, indeed!--But this goes to something in the shape of supplies. [_Untying the Papers._] "Covenant between Augustus Julius Braymore, Earl of Fitz Balaam, of Cullender Castle, in the county of Cumberland, and Simon Rochdale, Baronet, of Hollyhock House, in the county of Cornwall."----By the by, my lord, considering what an expense attends that castle, which is at your own disposal, and that, if the auctioneer don't soon knock it down, the weather will, I wonder what has prevented your lordship's bringing it to the hammer. _Lord Fitz._ The dignity of my ancestors. I have blood in my family, Sir Simon---- [_Proudly._ _Sir Simon._ A deal of excellent blood, my lord; but from the butler down to the house-dog, curse me if ever I saw so little flesh in a family before--But by this covenant---- _Lord Fitz._ You clear off the largest mortgage. _Sir Simon._ Right;--for which purpose, on the day of the young folks' marriage---- _Lord Fitz._ You must pay me forty thousand pounds. _Sir Simon._ Right, again. Your lordship says little; but 'tis terribly plump to the point, indeed, my lord. Here is the covenant;--and, now, will your lordship look over the marriage articles?