About twelve a-clock on the Day prefix’d, young _Goodland_ came to dine with Sir _Philip_, whom he found just return’d from Court, in a very good Humour. On the Sight of _Valentine_, the Knight ran to him, and embracing him, told him, That he had prevented his Wishes, in coming thither before he sent for him, as he had just then design’d. The other return’d, that he therefore hoped he might be of some Service to him, by so happy a Prevention of his intended Kindness. No doubt (reply’d Sir _Philip_) the Kindness, I hope, will be to us both; I am assur’d it will, if you will act according to my Measures. I desire no better Prescriptions for my Happiness (return’d _Valentine_) than what you shall please to set down to me: But is it necessary or convenient that I should know ’em first? It is, (answer’d Sir _Philip_) let us sit, and you shall understand ’em.--I am very sensible (continu’d he) of your sincere and honourable Affection and Pretension to my Niece, who, perhaps, is as dear to me as my own Child could be, had I one; nor am I ignorant how averse Sir _George_ your Father is to your Marriage with her, insomuch that I am confident he would disinherit you immediately upon it, merely for want of a Fortune somewhat proportionable to your Estate: but I have now contrived the Means to add two or three thousand Pounds to the five hundred I have design’d to give with her; I mean, if you marry her, _Val_, not otherwise; for I will not labour so for any other Man. What inviolable Obligations you put upon me! (cry’d _Goodland_.) No Return, by way of Compliments, good _Val_, (said the Knight:) Had I not engag’d to my Wife, before Marriage, that I would not dispose of any part of what she brought me, without her Consent, I would certainly make _Philibella’s_ Fortune answerable to your Estate: And besides, my Wife is not yet full eight and twenty, and we may therefore expect Children of our own, which hinders me from proposing any thing more for the Advantage of my Niece.--But now to my Instructions;--_King_ will be here this Evening without fail, and, at some Time or other to-night, will shew the Haughtiness of his Temper to you, I doubt not, since you are in a manner a Stranger to him: Be sure therefore you seem to quarrel with him before you part, but suffer as much as you can first from his Tongue; for I know he will give you Occasions enough to exercise your passive Valour. I must appear his Friend, and you must retire Home, if you please, for this Night, but let me see you as early as your Convenience will permit to-morrow: my late Friend _Lucy_ must be my Niece too. Observe this, and leave the rest to me. I shall most punctually, and will in all things be directed by you, (said _Valentine_.) I had forgot to tell you (said _Friendly_) that I have so order’d matters, that he must be King to-night, and _Lucy_ Queen, by the Lots in the Cake. By all means (return’d _Goodland_;) it must be Majesty.