_Sir W._ Sir, if you'll meet me presently at your attorney's, the thing will explain itself: this way, young lady if you please--Charles, I believe you are a devilish honest fellow, and I want an honest fellow for a son-in-law--but I think it is rather too much to give twelve thousand a year for him--this way Miss Helen. [_Exit sir Willoughby and Helen._ _Sir R._ This sudden resolution of sir Willoughby will still more exasperate him--I must seek him instantly, for the crisis of my fate is at hand; my own heart is witness against me--Heaven is my judge, and I have deserved my punishment! [_Exit sir R._ _Char._ So! I'm much mistaken, or there'll be a glorious bustle presently at the old lawyer's--He has sent to beg I'll attend, and as my heart is a little at rest in this quarter, I'll e'en see what's going forward in _that_--whether his intention be to _expose_ or to _abet_ a villain, still I'll be one amongst them; for while I have a heart to feel and a hand to act, I can never be an idle spectator when insulted virtue raises her supplicating voice on one side, and persecution dares to lift his unblushing head on the other. [_Exit._ SCENE II.--_O'Dedimus's Office._ _Enter_ O'Dedimus _and_ Ponder. _O'Ded._ You've done the business, you say! _Pon._ Ay, and the parties will all be here presently. _O'Ded._ That's it! you're sure you haven't blabbed now? _Pon._ Blabbed! ha, ha, ha! what do you take me for? _O'Ded._ What do I take you for, Mr. Brass? Why I take you for one that will never be choked by politeness. _Pon._ Why, Lord, sir, what could a lawyer do without impudence? for though they say "honesty's the best policy" a lawyer generally finds his purpose better answered by a _Policy of Assurance_. _O'Ded._ But hark! somebody's coming already, step where I told you, and make haste. _Pon._ On this occasion I lay by the lawyer and take up the Christian. Benevolence runs fast--but law is lazy and moves slowly. [_Exit._ _Enter_ Falkner _as_ Abel Grouse. _Abel Grouse._ I have obeyed your summons. What have you to say in palliation of the injury you have done me? _O'Ded._ Faith and I shall say a small matter about it. What I have done I have performed, and what I have performed I shall justify. _Ab. Gr._ Indeed! Can you justify fraud and villany? To business, sir; wherefore am I summoned here? _O'Ded._ That's it! Upon my conscience I'm too modest to tell you. _Ab. Gr._ Nature and education have made you modest: you were born an Irishman and bred in attorney-- _O'Ded._ And take my word for it, when Nature forms an Irishman, if she makes some little blunder in the contrivance of his head, it is because she bestows so much pains on the construction of his heart.