_Mrs M_. A fig for a majority of two or three score! if there had been a majority of as many hundreds, you'll never be called to an account for returning them; and when you have returned 'em, you'll have done all in your power. How can you expect that great men should do anything to serve you if you stick at anything to serve them? _May_. My conscience boggles at this thing--but yet it is impossible I should ever get anything by the other side. _Mrs M_. Ay, let that satisfy your conscience, that it is the only way to get anything. _May_. Truly, I think it is. _Sneer_. I think, Mr Trapwit, interest would be a better word there than conscience. _Trap_. Ay, interest or conscience, they are words of the same meaning; but I think conscience rather politer of the two, and most used at court. _Mrs M_. Besides, it will do a service to your town, for half of them must be carried to London at the candidates' expence; and I dare swear there is not one of them, whatever side he votes of, but would be glad to put the candidate to as much expence as he can in an honest way. [_Exit_ Mayor. _Enter_ Miss Mayoress, _crying_. _Miss M_. Oh, mama, I have grieved myself to death at the court party's losing the day; for if the others should have a majority in the house, what would become of us? alas, we should not go to London! _Mrs M_. Dry up your tears, my dear, all will be well; your father shall return my lord and the colonel, and we shall have a controverted election, and we will go to London, my dear. _Miss M_. Shall we go to London? then I am easy; but if we had staid here I should have broke my heart for the love of my country.--Since my father returns them, I hope justice will find some friends above, where people have sense enough to know the right side from the left; however, happen what will, there is some consolation in going to London. _Mrs M_. But I hope you have considered well what my lord told you, that you will not scruple going into keeping: perhaps, you will have it in your power to serve your family, and it would be a great sin not to do all you can for your family. _Miss M_. I have dreamt of nothing but coaches and six, and balls, and treats, and shows, and masquerades ever since. _Fust_. Dreamt, sir? why, I thought the time of your comedy had been confined to the same day, Mr Trapwit? _Trap_. No, sir, it is not; but suppose it was, might she not have taken an afternoon's nap? _Sneer_. Ay, or dreamt waking, as several people do. _Enter_ Lord PLACE _and_ Col. PROMISE. _Place_. Madam, I am come to take my leave of you; I am very sensible of my many obligations to you, and shall remember them till the next election, when I will wait on you again; nay, I don't question but we shall carry our point yet, though they have given us the trouble of a petition. _Mrs M_. No, no, my lord, you are not yet reduced to that; I have prevailed on my husband to return you and the colonel.