that we might not he interrupted by Lady Sarah. Women you know are timorous, and have no idea of encreasing a fortune except by saving. We shall look over your calculations together. If salt is raised but one penny in the pound, how many thousands do I put in my pocket?
Plau. This paper will inform you exactly. And you see I have put but one penny upon the pound; for salt being a necessary of life, greatly to increase its price would be hard and unfeeling; it would make you unpopular in the country, and in the end create a resistance detrimental to its own ends. I am for moderate and sure gains.
Sea. (taking the paper.) I esteem you for it; my ideas coincide with yours most perfectly in this particular: and the paper also in which you have drawn out your plan for buying up the rock-salt, I should be glad to look over that.
Plan. Here it is in my pocket.
(Enter Beaumont and William Beaumont.)
Sea. (angrily.) Who comes now? O it is you, Beaumont. We are busy; I shall come to you by-and-bye, but at present I cannot be interrupted,
Bea. I must speak with you, my friend.
Sea. Not at present—you see I am engaged.
Bea. (beckoning him.) But one word in your ear, I beseech you.
Sea. Yes, by-and-bye; at present I am busy with affairs of importance.
