_Frank._ Take back this letter of recommendation, you wrote for Mary, as a friend. When you assume that name with me, Mr. Shuffleton, for myself I laugh; for you I blush; but for sacred friendship's profanation I grieve. [_Turns from him._ _Shuff._ That all happens from living so much out of town. _Enter PEREGRINE, JOB THORNBERRY, and MARY._ _Pereg._ Now, Sir Simon, as accident seems to have thwarted a design, which probity could never applaud, you may, perhaps, be inclined to do justice here. _Job._ Justice is all I come for--damn their favours! Cheer up, Mary! _Sir Simon._ [_To PEREG._] I was in hopes I had got rid of you. You are an orator from the sea-shore; but you must put more pebbles in your mouth before you harangue me into a tea-kettle connexion. _Shuff._ That's my friend at the Red Cow. He is the new-old _cher ami_ to honest tea-kettle's daughter. _Frank._ Your insinuation is false, sir. _Shuff._ False! [_Stepping forward._ _Lady Car._ Hush! don't quarrel;--we are only married to-day. _Shuff._ That's true; I won't do any thing to make you unhappy for these three weeks. _Pereg._ Sir Simon Rochdale, if my oratory fail, and which, indeed, is weak, may interest prevail with you? _Sir Simon._ No; rather than consent, I'd give up every acre of my estate. _Pereg._ Your conduct proves you unworthy of your estate; and, unluckily for you, you have roused the indignation of an elder brother, who now stands before you, and claims it. _Sir Simon._ Eh!--Zounds!--Peregrine! _Pereg._ I can make my title too good, in an instant, for you to dispute it. My agent in London has long had documents on the secret he has kept; and several old inhabitants here, I know, are prepared to identify me. _Sir Simon._ I had a run-away brother--a boy that every body thought dead. How came he not to claim till now? _Pereg._ Because, knowing he had given deep cause of offence, he never would have asserted his abandon'd right, had he not found a brother neglecting, what no Englishman should neglect--justice and humanity to his inferiors. _Enter DENNIS BRULGRUDDERY._ _Dennis._ Stand asy, all of you; for I've big news for my half-drown'd customer. Och! bless your mug! and is it there you are? _Sir Simon._ What's the matter now? _Dennis._ Hould your tongue, you little man!--There's a great post just come to your Manor-house, and the Indiaman's work'd into port. _Job._ What, the vessel with all your property? [_To PEREG._ _Dennis._ By all that's amazing, they say you have a hundred thousand pounds in that ship. _Pereg._ My losses might have been somewhat more without this recovery. I have entered into a sort of partnership with you, my friend, this morning. How can we dissolve it? _Job._ You are an honest man; so am I; so settle that account as you like. _Pereg._ Come forth, then, injured simplicity;--of your own cause you shall be now the arbitress.