_Eger._ Pray, sir, be patient; compose yourself a moment: I will make you any compensation in my power. _Sir Per._ Then instantly sign the articles of marriage. _Eger._ The lady, sir, has never yet been consulted; and I have some reason to believe that her heart is engaged to another man. _Sir Per._ Sir, that is nai business of yours.--I know she will consent and that's aw we are to consider.--O! here comes my lord. _Enter Lord_ LUMBERCOURT. _Lord Lum._ Sir Pertinax, ever thing is ready, and the lawyers wait for us. _Sir Per._ We attend your lordship. Where is Lady Rodolpha? _Lord Lum._ Giving some female consolation to poor Constantia.--Why, my lady, ha, ha, ha! I hear your vestal has been flirting. _Sir Per._ Yes, yes, my lord, she is in vary guid order for any man that wants a wife and an heir till his estate intill the bargain. _Enter_ SAM. _Sam._ Sir, there is a man below that wants to speak to your honour upon particular business. _Sir Per._ Sir, I cannot speak till any body now--he must come another time;--hand--stay--what--is he a gentleman? _Sam._ He looks something like one, sir--a sort of a gentleman--but he seems to be in a kind of a passion, for when I asked his name, he answered hastily, it is no matter, friend,--go, tell your master there is a gentleman here that _must_ speak to him directly. _Sir Per._ Must! ha? vary peremptory indeed; pr'ythee, let's see him for curiosity sake. [_Exit_ Sam. _Enter Lady_ RODOLPHA. _Lady Rod._ O! my Lady Macsycophant, I am come an humble advocate for a weeping piece of female frailty, wha begs she may be permitted to speak till your ladyship, before you finally reprobate her. _Sir Per._ I beg your pardon, Lady Rodolpha, but it must not be: see her she shall not. _Lady Mac._ Nay, there can be no harm, my dear, in hearing what she has to say for herself. _Sir Per._ I tell you, it shall not be. _Lady Mac._ Well, my dear, I have done. _Enter_ SAM _and_ MELVILLE. _Sam._ Sir, that is my master. _Sir Per._ Weel, sir, what is your urgent business with me? _Mel._ To shun disgrace, and punish baseness. _Sir Per._ Punish baseness! what does the fellow mean? Wha are you, sir? _Mel._ A man, sir--and one, whose fortune once bore as proud a sway as any within this county's limits. _Lord Lum._ You seem to be a soldier, sir.