Lory. Sir, if you could prevail with some body else to do that for you, I fancy we might both fare the better for it. But now, sir, for my Lord Foppington, your elder brother.

Fash. Damn my eldest brother.

Lory. With all my heart; but get him to redeem your annuity, however. Look you, sir; you must wheedle him, or you must starve.

Fash. Look, you, sir; I would neither wheedle him, nor starve.

Lory. Why, what will you do, then;

Fash. Cut his throat, or get some one to do it for me.

Lory. Gad so, sir, I’m glad to find I was not so well acquainted with the strength of your conscience as with the weakness of your purse.

Fash. Why, art thou so impenetrable a blockhead as to believe he’ll help me with a farthing?

Lory. Not if you treat him de haut en bas, as you used to do.

Fash. Why, how wouldst have me treat him?

Lory. Like a trout—tickle him.

Fash. I can’t flatter.

Lory. Can you starve?

Fash. Yes.

Lory. I can’t. Good by t’ye, sir.

Fash. Stay—thou’lt distract me. But who comes here? My old friend, Colonel Townly.

Enter Colonel Townly.

My dear Colonel, I am rejoiced to meet you here.

Col. Town. Dear Tom, this is an unexpected pleasure! What, are you come to Scarborough to be present at your brother’s wedding?

Lory. Ah, sir, if it had been his funeral, we should have come with pleasure.

Col. Town. What, honest Lory, are you with your master still?

Lory. Yes, sir; I have been starving with him ever since I saw your honour last.

Fash. Why, Lory is an attached rogue; there’s no getting rid of him.

Lory. True, sir, as my master says, there’s no seducing me from his service.—[Aside.] Till he’s able to pay me my wages.

Fash. Go, go, sir, and take care of the baggage.

Lory. Yes, sir, the baggage!—O Lord! [Takes up the portmanteau.] I suppose, sir, I must charge the landlord to be very particular where he stows this?