_O'Ded._ I am his man of business, sure enough; but didn't hear before of my promotion to the office you mention. _Ab. Gr._ You are possessed of all his secret deeds. _O'Ded._ That's a small mistake--I have but one of them, and that's the deed of settlement on Miss Helen Worret, spinster. _Ab. Gr._ Leave your quibbling, sir, and speak plump to the point--if habit hasn't hardened your heart, and given a system to your knavery, answer me this: lord Austencourt has privately married my daughter? _O'Ded._ Hush! _Ab. Gr._ You were a witness. _O'Ded._ Has any body told you that thing? _Ab. Gr._ Will you deny it? _O'Ded._ Will you take a friend's advice? _Ab. Gr._ I didn't come for advice. I came to know if you will confess the fact, or whether you are villain enough to conceal it. _O'Ded._ Have done wid your bawling--sir Rowland's in the next room! _Ab. Gr._ Is he? then sir Rowland shall hear me--Sir Rowland!--he shall see my daughter righted--Ho there! Sir Rowland! _O'Ded._ (_aside_) Here'll be a devil of a dust kicked up presently about the ears of Mr. Cornelius O'Dedimus, attorney at law! _Enter_ Sir Rowland. _Sir Row._ Who calls me? _Ab. Gr._ 'Twas I! _Sir Row._ What is it you want, friend? _Ab. Gr._ Justice! _Sir Row._ Justice! then you had better apply there, (_pointing to O'Dedimus._) _Ab. Gr._ That's a mistake--he deals only in _law_--'tis to you that I appeal--Your nephew, lord Austencourt, is about to marry the daughter of sir Willoughby Worret. _Sir Row._ He is. _Ab. Gr._ Never! I will save him the guilt of that crime at least! _Sir Row._ You are mysterious, sir. _Ab. Gr._ Perhaps I am. Briefly, your nephew is privately married to my daughter--this man was present at their union--will you see justice done me, and make him honourably proclaim his wife? _Sir Row._ Your tale is incredible, sir--it is sufficient, however, to demand attention, and I warn you, lest by your folly you rouse an indignation that may crush you. _Ab. Gr._ Hear me, proud man, while I warn _you_! My daughter is the lawful wife of lord Austencourt--double is the wo to me that she _is_ his wife: but as it is so, he shall publicly acknowledge her--to you I look for justice and redress--see to it, sir, or I shall speedily appear in a new character, with my wrongs in my hand, to hurl destruction on you. [_Exit._ _Sir Row._ What does the fellow mean? _O'Ded._ That's just what I'm thinking-- _Sir Row._ _You_, he said, was privy to their marriage. _O'Ded._ Bless ye, the man's mad! _Sir Row._ Ha! you said you had a secret respecting my nephew. _O'Ded._ Sir, if you go on so, you'll bother me! _Sir Row._ The fellow must be silenced--can you not contrive some means to rid us of his insolence? _O'Ded._ Sir, I shall do my duty, as my duty should be done, by Cornelius O'Dedimus, attorney at law.