_Mr. Carv._ Yet law is expensive, sir, even to me. _O’Bla._ But ‘tis the best economy in the end; for when once you have cast or non-shuted your man in the courts, ‘tis as good as winged him in the field. And suppose you don’t get sixpence costs, and lose your cool hundred by it, still it’s a great advantage; for you are let alone to enjoy your own in pace and quiet ever after, which you could not do in this county without it. But the love of the law has carried me away from my business: the pint I wanted to consult you about is not a pint of law; ‘tis another matter. _Mr. Carv._ (_looking at his watch_) I must be at Bob’s Fort, to seal my despatches for the castle. And there’s another thing I say of myself. _O’Bla._ (_aside_) Remorseless agotist! _Mr. Carv._ I don’t know how the people all have got such an idea of my connexions at the castle, and my influence with his Excellency, that I am worried with eternal applications: they expect I can make them all gaugers or attorney-generals, I believe. How do they know I write to the castle? _O’Bla._ Oh! the post-office tells asy by the big sales (seals) to your despatches--(_aside_)--which, I’ll engage, is all the castle ever, rades of them, though Carver has his Excellency always in his mouth, God help him! _Mr. Carv._ Well, you wanted to consult me, Gerald? _O’Bla._ And you’ll give me your advice, which will be conclusive, law, and every thing to me. You know the McBrides--would they be safe? _Mr. Carv._ Very safe, substantial people. _O’Bla._ Then here’s the thing, Mr. Carver: as you recommend them, and as they are friends of yours--I will confess to you that, though it might not in pint of interest be a very prudent match, I am thinking that Honor McBride is such a prudent girl, and Mrs. Carver has taken her by the hand, so I’d wish to follow Mrs. Carver’s example for life, in taking Honor by the hand for better for worse. _Mr. Carv._ In my humble opinion you cannot do better; and I can tell you a secret--Honor will have no contemptible fortune in that rank of life. _O’Bla._ Oh, fortune’s always contemptible in marriage. _Mr. Carv._ Fortune! sir? _O’Bla._ (_aside_) Overshot. (_Aloud_) In comparison with the patronage and protection or countenance she’d have from you and your family, sir. _Mr. Carv._ That you may depend upon, my good Gerald, as far as we can go; but you know we are nothing. _O’Bla._ Oh, I know you’re every thing--every thing on earth--particularly with ould McBride; and you know how to speak so well and iloquent, and I’m so tongue-tied and bashful on such an occasion. _Mr. Carv._ Well, well, I’ll speak for you. _O’Bla._ A thousand thanks down to the ground. _Mr. Carv._ (_patting him on the back as he rises_) My _poor_ Gerald. _O’Bla._ Then I am _poor_ Gerald in point of wit, I know; but you are too good a friend to be calling me _poor_ to ould McBride--you can say what I can’t say.