第20章

CHARLES.Don't tease me, master broker; I tell you I'll not part with it, and there's an end of it.

SIR OLIVER.[Aside.] How like his father the dog is.-- [Aloud.]

Well, well, I have done.-- [Aside.] I did not perceive it before, but I think I never saw such a striking resemblance.-- [Aloud.]

Here is a draught for your sum.

CHARLES.Why, 'tis for eight hundred pounds!

SIR OLIVER.You will not let Sir Oliver go?

CHARLES.Zounds! no! I tell you, once more.

SIR OLIVER.Then never mind the difference, we'll balance that another time.But give me your hand on the bargain; you are an honest fellow, Charles--I beg pardon, sir, for being so free.--Come, Moses.

CHARLES.Egad, this is a whimsical old fellow!--But hark'ee, Premium, you'll prepare lodgings for these gentlemen.

SIR OLIVER.Yes, yes, I'll send for them in a day or two.

CHARLES.But, hold; do now send a genteel conveyance for them, for, I assure you, they were most of them used to ride in their own carriages.

SIR OLIVER.I will, I will--for all but Oliver.

CHARLES.Ay, all but the little nabob.

SIR OLIVER.You're fixed on that?

CHARLES.Peremptorily.

SIR OLIVER.[Aside.] A dear extravagant rogue!--[Aloud.] Good day!

Come, Moses.--[Aside.] Let me hear now who dares call him profligate!

[Exit with MOSES.]

CARELESS.Why, this is the oddest genius of the sort I ever met with!

CHARLES.Egad, he's the prince of brokers, I think.I wonder how the devil Moses got acquainted with so honest a fellow.--Ha! here's Rowley.--Do, Careless, say I'll join the company in a few moments.

CARELESS.I will--but don't let that old blockhead persuade you to squander any of that money on old musty debts, or any such nonsense; for tradesmen, Charles, are the most exorbitant fellows.

CHARLES.Very true, and paying them is only encouraging them.

CARELESS.Nothing else.

CHARLES.Ay, ay, never fear.--

[Exit CARELESS.]

So! this was an odd old fellow, indeed.Let me see, two-thirds of these five hundred and thirty odd pounds are mine by right.

Fore Heaven! I find one's ancestors are more valuable relations than I took them for!--Ladies and gentlemen, your most obedient and very grateful servant.

[Bows ceremoniously to the pictures.]

Enter ROWLEY

Ha! old Rowley! egad, you are just come in time to take leave of your old acquaintance.

ROWLEY.Yes, I heard they were a-going.But I wonder you can have such spirits under so many distresses.

CHARLES.Why, there's the point! my distresses are so many, that I can't affort to part with my spirits; but I shall be rich and splenetic, all in good time.However, I suppose you are surprised that I am not more sorrowful at parting with so many near relations;to be sure, 'tis very affecting; but you see they never move a muscle, so why should I?

ROWLEY.There's no making you serious a moment.

CHARLES.Yes, faith, I am so now.Here, my honest Rowley, here, get me this changed directly, and take a hundred pounds of it immediately to old Stanley.

ROWLEY.A hundred pounds! Consider only----CHARLES.Gad's life, don't talk about it! poor Stanley's wants are pressing, and, if you don't make haste, we shall have some one call that has a better right to the money.

ROWLEY.Ah! there's the point! I never will cease dunning you with the old proverb----CHARLES.BE JUST BEFORE YOU'RE GENEROUS.--Why, so I would if I could;but Justice is an old hobbling beldame, and I can't get her to keep pace with Generosity, for the soul of me.

ROWLEY.Yet, Charles, believe me, one hour's reflection----CHARLES.Ay, ay, it's very true; but, hark'ee, Rowley, while I have, by Heaven I'll give; so, damn your economy! and now for hazard.

[Exeunt.]

SCENE II.--The Parlour Enter SIR OLIVER and MOSESMOSES.Well sir, I think as Sir Peter said you have seen Mr.Charles in high Glory--'tis great Pity He's so extravagant.

SIR OLIVER.True--but he would not sell my Picture--MOSES.And loves wine and women so much--SIR OLIVER.But He wouldn't sell my Picture.

MOSES.And game so deep--

SIR OLIVER.But He wouldn't sell my Picture.O--here's Rowley!

Enter ROWLEY

ROWLEY.So--Sir Oliver--I find you have made a Purchase----SIR OLIVER.Yes--yes--our young Rake has parted with his Ancestors like old Tapestry--sold Judges and Generals by the foot--and maiden Aunts as cheap as broken China.--ROWLEY.And here has he commissioned me to re-deliver you Part of the purchase-money--I mean tho' in your necessitous character of old Stanley----MOSES.Ah! there is the Pity of all! He is so damned charitable.

ROWLEY.And I left a Hosier and two Tailors in the Hall--who I'm sure won't be paid, and this hundred would satisfy 'em.

SIR OLIVER.Well--well--I'll pay his debts and his Benevolences too--I'll take care of old Stanley--myself-- But now I am no more a Broker, and you shall introduce me to the elder Brother as Stanley----ROWLEY.Not yet a while--Sir Peter I know means to call there about this time.

Enter TRIP

TRIP.O Gentlemen--I beg Pardon for not showing you out--this way--Moses, a word.

[Exit TRIP with MOSES.]

SIR OLIVER.There's a Fellow for you-- Would you believe it that Puppy intercepted the Jew, on our coming, and wanted to raise money before he got to his master!

ROWLEY.Indeed!

SIR OLIVER.Yes--they are now planning an annuity Business--Ah Master Rowley[,] in my Day Servants were content with the Follies of their Masters when they were worn a little Thread Bare but now they have their Vices like their Birth Day cloaths with the gloss on.

[Exeunt.]

SCENE III.--A Library SURFACE and SERVANTSURFACE.No letter from Lady Teazle?

SERVANT.No Sir--

SURFACE.I am surprised she hasn't sent if she is prevented from coming--! Sir Peter certainly does not suspect me--yet I wish I may not lose the Heiress, thro' the scrape I have drawn myself in with the wife--However, Charles's imprudence and bad character are great Points in my Favour.

SERVANT.Sir--I believe that must be Lady Teazle--SURFACE.Hold[!] see--whether it is or not before you go to the Door--I have a particular Message for you if it should be my Brother.