_Lady Rod_. Then, since Cupid has thus luckily disposed of you till your Constantia, and me till my swain, we have nothing to think of now, sir, but to contrive how to reduce the inordinate passions of our parents intill a temper of prudence and humanity. _Eger_. Most willingly I consent to your proposal.----But, with your leave, madam, if I may presume so far;--'pray, who is your lover? _Lady Rod_. Why, in that too I shall surprise you perhaps more than ever.--In the first place--he is a beggar--and in disgrace with an unforgiving father;--and in the next place,--he is [_Curtsies._] your ain brother. _Eger_. Is it possible? _Lady Rod_. A most amorous truth, sir;--that is, as far as a woman can answer for her ain heart. [_in a laughing gaiety_.] So you see, cousin Charles, thof I you'd nai mingle affections with _you_--I have nai ganged out of the family. _Eger_. [_A polite rapture, frank_.] Madam, give me leave to congratulate myself upon your affection,--you cou'd not have placed it on a worthier object; and, whatever is to be our chance in this lottery of our parents, be assured that my fortune shall be devoted to your happiness and his. _Lady Rod_. Generous, indeed, cousin--but not a whit nobler, I assure you, than your brother Sandy believes of you.--And, be assured, sir, that we shall both remember it, while the heart feels, or the memory retains a sense of gratitude.--But now, sir, let me ask one question:--Pray, how is your mother affected in this business? _Eger_. She knows of my passion, and will, I am sure, be a friend to the common cause. _Lady Rod_. Ah! that's lucky. Our first step then must be to take her advice upon our conduct, so as to keep our fathers in the dark till we can hit off some measure that will wind them about till our ain purpose, and the common interest of our ain passion. _Eger_. You are very right, madam, for, should my father suspect my brother's affection for your ladyship, or mine for Constantia, there is no guessing what wou'd be the consequence.--His whole happiness depends upon this bargain with my lord; for it gives him the possession of three boroughs, and those, madam, are much dearer to him than the happiness of his children. I am sorry to say it, but, to gratify his political rage, he wou'd sacrifice every social tie, that is dear to friend or family. [_Exeunt._ END OF THE THIRD ACT. _ACT IV. SCENE I_. _Enter Sir_ PERTINAX, _and Counsellor_ PLAUSIBLE. _Sir Per_. No, no.--Come away, Counsellor Plausible;--come away, I say;--let them chew upon it.--Why, counsellor, did you ever see so impertinent, so meddling, and so obstinate a blockhead, as that Serjeant Eitherside? Confound the fellow--he has put me out of aw temper. _Plaus_. He is very positive, indeed, Sir Pertinax,--and no doubt was intemperate and rude. But, Sir Pertinax, I wou'd not break off the match notwithstanding; for certainly, even without the boroughs, it is an advantageous bargain both to you and your son.