_Pereg._ Nay, nay; cease to grasp that cane.--While we are so conspicuously bless'd with laws to chastise a culprit, the mace of justice is the only proper weapon for the injured.--Let me talk with you. [_Takes THORNBERRY aside._ _Sir Simon._ [_To FRANK ROCHDALE._] Well, sir; who may this last person be, whom you have thought proper should visit me? _Frank._ A stranger in this country, sir, and---- _Sir Simon._ And a friend, I perceive, of that old ruffian. _Frank._ I have reason to think, sir, he is a friend to Mr. Thornberry. _Sir Simon._ Sir, I am very much obliged to you.--You send a brazier to challenge me, and now, I suppose, you have brought a travelling tinker for his second. Where does he come from? _Frank._ India, sir. He leap'd from the vessel that was foundering on the rocks, this morning, and swam to shore. _Sir Simon._ Did he? I wish he had taken the jump with the brazier tied to his neck. [_PEREGRINE and JOB come forward._ _Pereg._ [_Apart to JOB._] I can discuss it better in your absence. Be near with Mary: should the issue be favourable, I will call you. _Job._ [_Apart to PEREG._] Well, well! I will. You have a better head at it than I.----Justice! Oh, if I was Lord Chancellor, I'd knock all the family down with the mace, in a minute. [_Exit._ _Pereg._ Suffer me to say a few words, Sir Simon Rochdale, in behalf of that unhappy man. [_Pointing to where JOB was gone out._ _Sir Simon._ And pray, sir, what privilege have you to interfere in my domestic concerns? _Pereg._ None, as it appears abstractedly. Old Thornberry has just deputed me to accommodate his domestic concerns with you: I would, willingly, not touch upon yours. _Sir Simon._ Poh! poh! You can't touch upon one, Without being impertinent about the other. _Pereg._ Have the candour to suppose, Sir Simon, that I mean no disrespect to your house. Although I may stickle, lustily, with you, in the cause of an aggrieved man, believe me, early habits have taught me to be anxious for the prosperity of the Rochdales. _Sir Simon._ Early habits! _Pereg._ I happened to be born on your estate, Sir Simon; and have obligations to some part of your family. _Sir Simon._ Then, upon my soul, you have chosen a pretty way to repay them! _Pereg._ I know no better way of repaying them, than by consulting your family honour. In my boyhood, it seem'd as if nature had dropp'd me a kind of infant subject on your father's Cornish territory; and the whole pedigree of your house is familiar to me. _Sir Simon._ Is it? Confound him, he has heard of the miller! [_Aside._] Sir, you may talk this tolerably well; but 'tis my hope--my opinion, I mean, you can't tell who was my grandfather.