BLACKMAN. Lost all you are worth? He, he, he, he! (_Laughs maliciously._) Pretty news, truly! Why then I suppose I have lost great part of what I am worth? all which you are indebted to me?--However there is a way yet to retrieve you. But--please to desire your servant to leave the room. SIR GEORGE. Bluntly, leave us a moment. (_Exit_ BLUNTLY.) Well, Mr. Blackman, what is this grand secret? BLACKMAN. Why, in the state to which you have reduced yourself, there is certainly no one hope for you, but in that portion, that half of your fortune, which the will of your father keeps you out of. SIR GEORGE. But how am I to obtain it? The lawyer in whose hands it is placed, will not give it up, without being insured from any future demand by some certain proofs. BLACKMAN. And suppose I should search, and find proofs? Suppose I have them already by me?--But upon this occasion, you must not only rely implicitly on what I say, but it is necessary you should say the same yourself. SIR GEORGE. If you advance no falsehood, I cannot have any objection. BLACKMAN. Falsehood!--falsehood!--I apprehend, Sir George, you do not consider, that there is a particular construction put upon words and phrases in the practice of the law, which the rest of the world, out of that study, are not clearly acquainted with. For instance, _falsehood_ with _us_, is not _exactly_ what it is with other people. SIR GEORGE. How! Is truth, immutable truth, to be corrupted and confounded by men of the law? BLACKMAN. I was not speaking of truth--that, we have nothing to do with. SIR GEORGE. I, must not say so, however, sir.--And in this crisis of my sufferings, it is the only comfort, the only consolatory reflection left me, that truth and I, will never separate. BLACKMAN. Stick to your truth--but confide in me as usual.--You will go with me, then, to Mr. Manly, your father's lawyer, and corroborate all that I shall say? SIR GEORGE. Tell me, but what you intend to say? BLACKMAN. I can't do that. In the practice of the law, we never know what we intend to say--and therefore our blunders, when we make them, are in some measure excusable--and if I should chance to make a blunder or two, I mean any trivial mistake, when we come before this lawyer, you must promise not to interfere, or in any shape contradict me. SIR GEORGE. A mere lapse of memory, I have nothing to do with. BLACKMAN. And my memory grows very bad; therefore you must not disconcert me. SIR GEORGE. Come, let us begone--I am ready to go with you this moment. BLACKMAN. I must first go home, and prepare a few writings. SIR GEORGE. But call to mind that I rely upon your honour. BLACKMAN. Do you think Bluntly, your servant, is an honest man? SIR GEORGE. I am sure he is. BLACKMAN. Then, to quiet your fears, I will take him along with us; and you will depend on what he shall say, I make no doubt?