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intelligent and junior partner in his firm, whom he feels assured will carry all before him. We must do something for Bribe-fidelity should be rewarded.

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Enter BOB, L., dressed in black.-Exit Servant, L.

Lord P. Mr. Crawl?

Rob. Of the firm of Bribe, Crawl, and Treatem.

Lord P. Fame speaks highly of you, Mr. Crawl, and parliament has its eye on you. Fortune favoured me, when, twenty years ago, I selected your firm for my soli

citors.

Bob. I remember the era. Its date-I think-is on your lordship's first mortgage to us.

Lord P. A tenacious memory-be seated. [Points to chair.] How fortunate for us that Bribe is secured to our opposing candidate.

Bob. He's a treasure

Lord P. So are you

Bob. Oh, I'm a mint, my lord, a perfect mint-I'll coin you votes that shall pass current with any Committee of the House-I'll put you in for any borough in Great Britain, and return you with any majority you may please to pay for I'll qualify you with three hundred a-year, landed property, for fifty pounds, and show more voters in your interest unpolled, than there is population in the county.

Lord P. My dear Mr. Crawl!

Bob. Oh, my Lord-that's nothing.

Lord P. I may conclude my son elected, then?

Bob. Chaired-and has returned thanks ir a neat speech, which I have already prepared.

Lord P. Then I may venture to dismiss anxiety from my mind and enter on other topics.

Bob. [Aside.] Other topics-master didn't prime me for other topics.

Lord P. Fifteen years ago—

Bob. [Aside.] Oh, lord!

Lord P. It may be in your tenacious recollection that I confided to the care of Mr. Bribe, a boy.

E

Bob. Oh! perfectly-a perfect child- -a-a mere-aboy-a-oh, I perfectly

Lord P. The-the-son of an old and valued servant Bob. Female?

Lord P. No-my butler.

Bob. Oh!

Lord P. I promised to-to-protect-to educate-my -I mean, his child-and confided the responsibility to Bribe's charge.

Bob. [Aside.] Oho!-the Earl has been a gay deceiver in his youth-ahem!-not much of the Lothario left! Lord P. I-I left England shortly after this occur rence, as ambassador to the court of Lisbon-since my

return-business-a

Bob. Of course.

I see.—Oh, yes I know the boy- a fine fellow he has grown-an universal favourite. Lord P. Indeed!

Bob. His name is Robert, but we call him Bob, familiarly.

Lord P. Yes, yes.

Bob. I do assure you, there's no one for whom I possess a higher esteem-whose interest I have more at heart.

Lord P. It does you honour.

Bob. I got him into the service of Mr. Littleton Coke. Lord P. Coke! what a strange coincidence.

Bob. But, to-day he has obtained the situation of groom to a Miss Rocket.

Lord P. Miss Rocket! why, that lady is now in this house.

Bob. Indeed! then so is Bob.

Lord P. Could I-I-see him?

Bob. Of course; permit me to ring. [Rings bell on L. table.] By the way, if you will excuse the idea, I can't help thinking that there is a considerable resemblance between his features and those of your son-our candidate. Lord P. Ha ha! what a strange notion.-[Aside.] Can it be so striking as to betray me?

Enter SERVANT, L.

Bob. Tell Miss Rocket's new groom to step up.

[Exit Servant, I..

[Aside.] So, Lord Charles, you roastec. me once, now I'll give you a turn.

Lord P. [Aside.] How agitated I feel.

Enter LORD CHARLES dressed as a groom, with his moustachios and beard cut, and his hair cropped.

Bob. Step forward, young man-my lord, this is Bob.
Roe. [Aside.] My father-the devil- [Threatens Bob,
Lord P. [Aside.] I dare not look at him—

Bob. His lordship is good enough to take an interest in you, Bob-for which you will feel duly grateful-ahem —Ï've no doubt that he will even do something handsome for you-you see the reward of virtue :-I promised you, that by steady and persevering conduct, I should be able to give you a turn when you least expected it.

Roe. [Aside.] Expected it-the fellow is roasting me now with a vengeance!

Bob. Do you hear?

Roe. I—I heartily thank his lordship.

Lord P. [Aside.] The voice-the Pompion voice-1 could swear to its haughty tones amongst a million.[Looks at him.] Mercy! he will betray me. Blindness would know him to be Charles's brother.

Bob. Bob, are you ready to experience his lordship's generosity?

Lord P. Young man— I-take some-little interest in your-Robert-I—[Checks himself.] Mr. Crawl, you will expend this hundred pounds for Robert's benefit. [Gives money.

Bob. I feel it as a gift to myself-every shilling of it shall be conscientiously spent on that individual. Bob, have you no tongue? mercy on me-no gratitude-there you stand-do you see, sir, 'tis one hundred poundsthank his lordship.

Roe. [Aside.] Oh, the scoundrel!

Bob. Thank him on your knees, sir.

Roe. [Bowing. Oh, you-your-lordship-I-scarcely know how to-[Aside.] Damn that fellow's impudence.

Lord P. Farewell, Mr. Crawl; you will let me hear of this young man from time to time. [Takes a last look at Roebuck from the door.] Fatal image-poor boy-Sarah Jane-oh, memory! [Exit, R. c.

Roe. [Sits across a chair and looks at Bob, after a pause.] So, sir you have the daring impudence not only to ring me up for your special amusement, but to rob my father before my face.

Bob. Perquisites, my lord, nothing more; besides, if I am to injure my character by adopting that of a lawyer for half an hour-the least I may be spared is the lawful plunder of the profession. Consider the risk.

Enter RURAL, L. C.

Rur. I can't find him anywhere.

Roe. Mr. Rural.

Bob. The old money-lender-he has dogged us-the bailiff can't be far off-I must find my master.

Rur. Why-surely

[Exit Bob, cautiously, L. c.

Roe. [Aside.] He detects me-better make him a confidant, or he may betray me.-Yes-yes-he-he-you look surprised-this dress

Rur. But where's all this?

[Touching his chin. Roe. Ha! sir! my judicious compliment to the court of Versailles-hush!-I'll tell you-it's a freak—

Rur. Law!

Roe. Nothing more-[Aside to Rural,] you see[Aside.] aid me, Mercury, god of lies.—[Aloud.] I told you I was assisting Coke to the hand of Miss Rocket. Rur. You did so am I.

Roe. They-they are off to-night.

Rur. I know it-ha!

Roe. The deuce you do-well-I'm going to ride postillion, that's all.

Rur. Going down as his groom?

Roe. No! as her's-but hush-I implore-not a sylla ble-could I but find Kate, without meeting my fatherI have secured the servants. [Goes up, c., and off, L.

Rur. Well, I had heard of young noblemen turning coachmen-but this is the first instance of one turning groom-I

Re-enter LORD POMPION, R. C.

Lord P. They have gone, sir-the persons who were here this instant, do you know have they left the house?

Rur. You saw them?

Lord P. Certainly!

Rur. [Aside.] Oh! then he is in the secret.-You know, then-you are aware—

Lord P. Of what?

Rur. That Miss Rocket has got another groom.

Lord P. Y-e-s.

Rur. A new character for your rogue of a son.

Lord P. Ah! hush! [Seizes his arm, and looks round. Rur. Eh! what's the matter?

Lord P. My dear sir, you have gained, I know not by what accident, the possession of a secret of the deepest importance. Yes, I confess it-the person who is now engaged in the menial capacity you mention, is my son. Rur. Of course, he is he is going to, ha! ha! ride postillion; what will he do next?

Lord P. You will conceal this secret?

Rur. If you desire it, certainly; I had suspicions that Miss Rocket was in love with him, but―

Lord P. Miss Rocket! is it possible-my dear, dear sir, you transport me-could you but conclude a match between them.

Rur. Good gracious!

Lord P. [Aside.] Young ladies have eloped with their grooms before now.

Rur. Why, my lord.

Lord P. I know-you would start objections, I anticipate them. Listen-should this desirable event take place, it may be politic for me to show some temper, you understand

Rur. Certainly not.

Lord P. To be angry-but do not heed it-'twill only De in compliment to the colonel, and to conceal my relationship-Crosses to L.] Remember, there's a valuable benefice in my gift: it is just vacant. All I can say isconsummate my hopes, and ask me for what you will, it shall be yours. [Exit, L.

Rur. But, my lord-Lady Alice, what can this mean― an hour ago he told me that he designed Lord Charles for Lady Hawthorn, now he would give anything to see him married to Miss Rocket. This is all very strangeif he agree to the match between his son and her ladyship, and the colonel consent to Littleton's proposals, and

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