SIR OLIVER. [Aside.] The rogue"s my nephew after all!--[Aloud.]
But, sir, I have somehow taken a fancy to that picture.
CHARLES. I"m sorry for"t, for you certainly will not have it.
Oons, haven"t you got enough of them?
SIR OLIVER. [Aside.] I forgive him everything!--[Aloud.] But, Sir, when I take a whim in my head, I don"t value money. I"ll give you as much for that as for all the rest.
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 a.s.sure 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, d.a.m.n your economy! and now for hazard.
[Exeunt.]
SCENE II.--The Parlour
Enter SIR OLIVER and MOSES
MOSES. 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----