_Sir Per_. Why, mon, he cares not if his family were aw at the devil so his luxury is but gratified:--only let him have his race-horse to feed his vanity--his harridan to drink drams with him, scrat his face, and burn his periwig, when she is in her maudlin hysterics,--and three or four discontented patriotic dependents to abuse the ministry, and settle the affairs of the nation, when they are aw intoxicated; and then, sir,:--the fellow has aw his wishes, and aw his wants--in this world--and the next. _Enter_ TOMLINS. _Tom_. Lady Rodolpha is come, sir. _Sir Per_. And my lord? _Tom_. Not yet, sir,--he is about a mile behind, the servants say. _Sir Per_. Let me know the instant he arrives. _Tom_. I shall, sir. [_Exit._ _Sir Per_. Step you out, Charles, and receive Lady Rodolpha;--and, I desire you will treat her with as much respect and gallantry as possible; for my lord has hinted that you have been very remiss as a lover.--So go, go and receive her. _Eger_. I shall, sir. _Sir Per_. Vary weel,--vary weel;--a guid lad: go--go and receive her as a lover should. [_Exit_ Egerton.] Hah! I must keep a devilish tight hand upon this fallow, I see,--or he will be touched with the patriotic frenzy of the times, and run counter till aw my designs.--I find he has a strong inclination to have a judgment of his ain, independent of mine, in aw political matters;--but as soon as I have finally settled the marriage writings with my lord, I will have a thorough expostulation with my gentleman, I am resolved,--and fix him unalterably in his political conduct.--Ah!--I am frighted out of my wits, lest his mother's family should seduce him to desert to their party, which would totally ruin my whole scheme, and break my heart.--A fine time of day for a blockhead to turn patriot;--when the character is exploded--marked--proscribed;--why the common people--the vary vulgar--have found out the jest, and laugh at a patriot now-a-days,---just as they do at a conjurer,--a magician,--or any other impostor in society.-- _Enter_ TOMLINS, _and Lord_ LUMBERCOURT. _Tom_. Lord Lumbercourt. _Lord Lum_. Sir Pertinax, I kiss your hand. _Sir Per_. Your lordship's most devoted. _Lord Lum_. Why, you stole a march upon me this morning;--gave me the slip, Mac;--tho' I never wanted your assistance more in my life.--I thought you would have called on me. _Sir Per_. My dear lord, I beg ten millions of pardons for leaving town before you; but you ken that your lordship at dinner yesterday settled it that we should meet this morning at the levee. _Lord Lum_. That I acknowledge, Mac.--I did promise to be there, I own. _Sir Per_. You did, indeed.--And accordingly I was at the levee and waited there till every soul was gone, and, seeing you did not come, I concluded that your lordship was gone before.