SIR GEORGE. I would stake my being upon his veracity. BLACKMAN. Call him in, then, and bid him do as I command him. SIR GEORGE. Here, Bluntly. (_Enter_ BLUNTLY.) Mr. Blackman has some business with you--listen to him with attention, and follow his directions. [_Exit._ BLACKMAN. You know, I suppose, the perilous situation of your master? [BLUNTLY _shakes his head, and wipes his eyes._ BLACKMAN. Good fellow! good fellow!--and you would, I dare say, do any thing to rescue him from the misery with which he is surrounded? BLUNTLY. I would lay down my life. BLACKMAN. You can do it for less. Only put on a black coat, and the business is done. BLUNTLY. What's that all? Oh! if I can save him by putting on a black coat, I'll go buy mourning, and wear it all my life. BLACKMAN. There's a good fellow. I sincerely thank you for this attachment to your master. [_Shaking him by the hand._ BLUNTLY. My dear Blackman, I beg your pardon for what I am going to say; but as you behave thus friendly on this unfortunate occasion, I must confess to you--that till now I always hated you.--I could not bear the sight of you.--For I thought you (I wish I may die if I did not) one of the greatest rogues in the world. I fancied you only waited on, and advised my master to make your market of him.--But now your attention to him in his distress, when all his friends have forsaken him, is so kind--Heaven bless you--Heaven bless you--I'll go buy a black coat. [_Going._ BLACKMAN. I have something more to say to you.--When you have put on this coat, you must meet your master and me at Mr. Manly's, the lawyer; and when we are all there, you must mind and say, exactly what I say. BLUNTLY. And what will that be? BLACKMAN. Oh! something. BLUNTLY. I have no objection to say something--but I hope you won't make me say any thing. BLACKMAN. You seem to doubt me once more, sir? BLUNTLY. No, I am doubting you now for the first time; for I always thought I was _certain_ before. BLACKMAN. And will you not venture to say yes, and no, to what I shall advance? BLUNTLY. Why--I think I may venture to say yes to your no, and no to your yes, with a safe conscience. BLACKMAN. If you do not instantly follow me and do all that I shall propose, your master is ruined.--Would you see him dragged to prison? BLUNTLY. No, I would sooner go myself. BLACKMAN. Then why do you stand talking about a safe conscience. Half my clients would have been ruined if I had shewn my zeal as you do. Conscience indeed! Why, this is a matter of law, to serve your master in his necessity. BLUNTLY. I have heard necessity has no law--but if it has no conscience, it is a much worse thing than I took it for.--No matter for that--come along.--Oh my poor master!--I would even tell a _lie_ to save him. [_Exeunt._ SCENE II. _A lawyer's study._ MR. MANLY _discovered at his writing-desk--a Servant attending_.