_Sir Per_. And further--I beg you will let him know that I think myself obliged to consider him in this affair, as acting for me as weel as for my lord,--as a common friend till baith:--and for the services he has already done us, make my special compliments till him--and pray let this amicable bit of paper be my faithful advocate to convince him of what my gratitude further intends for his great [_Gives him a bank-bill._] equity in adjusting this agreement betwixt my lord and me. _Plaus_. Ha, ha, ha!--upon my word, Sir Pertinax, this is noble.--Ay, ay! this is an eloquent bit of paper indeed. _Sir Per_. Maister Plausible, in aw human dealings the most effectual method is that of ganging at once till the vary bottom of a man's heart:--for if we expect that men shou'd serve us,--we must first win their affections by serving them.--O! here they baith come. _Enter Lord_ LUMBERCOURT, _and Serjeant_ EITHERSIDE. _Lord Lum_. My dear Sir Pertinax, what could provoke you to break off this business so abruptly? you are really wrong in the point,--and if you will give yourself time to recollect, you will find that my having the nomination to the boroughs for my life was a preliminary article;--I appeal to Mr. Serjeant Eitherside here, whether I did not always understand it so. _Serj._I assure you, Sir Pertinax, that in all his lordship's conversation with me upon this business, and in his positive instructions,--both he and I always understood the nomination to be in my lord, durantê vitâ. _ SirPer_. Why, then my lord, to shorten the dispute, aw that I can say in answer till your lordship is--that there has been a total mistake betwixt us in that point,--and therefore the treaty must end here. I give it up.-- O! I wash my hands of it for ever. _Plaus_. Well, but gentlemen, gentlemen, a little patience.--Sure this mistake, some how or other, may be rectified.--Pr'ythee, Mr. Serjeant, let you and I step into the next room by ourselves, and reconsider the clause relative to the boroughs, and try if we cannot hit upon a medium that will be agreeable to both parties. _Serj._ [_With great warmth_.] Mr. Plausible, I have considered the clause fully;--am entirely master of the question;--my lord cannot give up the point.--It is unkind and unreasonable to expect it. _Plaus._ Nay, Mr. Serjeant, I beg you will not misunderstand me. Do not think I want his lordship to give up any point without an equivalent.--Sir Pertinax, will you permit Mr. Serjeant and me to retire a few moments to reconsider this point? _Sir Per_. With aw my heart, Maister Plausible; any thing to oblige his lordship--any thing to accomodate his lordship--any thing. _Plaus._ What say you, my lord? _Lord Lum_ Nay, I submit it entirely to you and Mr. Serjeant. _Plaus._ Come, Mr. Serjeant, let us retire. _Lord Lum_. Ay, ay,--go, Mr. Serjeant, and hear what Mr. Plausible has to say.