s
of integrity are always uniform: and 'tis only where those ends are
most promoted, that the inhabitants of a town, let them live east or
west, most preponderate in rational estimation.

_Shuff._ Pray, sir, are you a methodist preacher, in want of a
congregation?

_Pereg._ Perhaps I'm a quack doctor, in want of a Jack
Pudding.--Will you engage with me?

_Shuff._ Damn me if this is to be borne.--Sir, the correction I must
give you, will--

_Pereg._ [_With Coolness._] Desist, young man, in time, or you may
repent your petulance.

_Mary._ [_Coming between them._] Oh, gentlemen! pray, pray don't--I
am so frightened! Indeed, sir, you mistake. [_To PEREGRINE._] This
gentleman has been so good to me! [_Pointing to SHUFFLETON._

_Pereg._ Prove it, child, and I shall honour him.

_Mary._ Indeed, indeed he has.--Pray, pray don't quarrel! when two
such generous people meet, it would be a sad pity. See, sir, [_To
PEREGRINE._] he has recommended me to a place in London;--here's the
letter to the good lady, an elderly lady, in Marybone parish! and so
kind, sir, every body, that knows her, calls her mother.

_Pereg._ [_Looking at the superscription._] Infamous! sit down, and
compose yourself, my love;--the gentleman and I shall soon come to
an understanding. One word, sir: [_Mary sits at the back of the
Scene, the Men advance._] I have lived long in India;--but the
flies, who gad thither, buzz in our ears, till we learn what they
have blown upon in England. I have heard of the wretch, in whose
house you meant to place that unfortunate.

_Shuff._ Well! and you meant to place her in snugger lodgings, I
suppose?

_Pereg._ I mean to place her where----

_Shuff._ No, my dear fellow, you don't;----unless you answer it to
me.

_Pereg._ I understand you.--In an hour, then, I shall be at the
Manor-house, whence I suppose, you come. Here we are both unarmed;
and there is one waiting at the door, who, perhaps, might interrupt
us.

_Shuff._ Who is he?

_Pereg._ Her father;--her agonized father;----to whose entreaties I
have yielded; and brought him here, prematurely.--He is a
tradesman;--beneath your notice:--a vulgar brazier;--but he has some
sort of feeling for his child! whom, now your friend has lured her
to the precipice of despair, you would hurry down the gulf of
infamy.--For your own convenience, sir, I would advise you to avoid
him.

_Shuff._ Your advice, now, begins to be a little sensible; and if
you tu