Grand Signior, and throw the handkerchief firſt to one, and then to t'other, juſt as he pleaſes? Do you think I drive a kind of African ſlave-trade with them? and
Sir John. A moment's patience, Sir! Nothing but the exceſs of my paſſion for Miſs Fanny ſhou'd have induced me to take any ſtep that had the leaſt appearance of diſreſpect to any part of your family; and even now I am deſirous to atone for my tranſgreſſion, by making the moſt adequate compenſation that lies in my power.
Sterl. Compenſation! what compenſation can you poſſibly make in ſuch a caſe as this, Sir John?
Sir John. Come, come, Mr. Sterling; I know you to be a man of ſenſe, a man of buſineſs, a man of the world. I'll deal frankly with you; and you ſhall ſee that I do not deſire a change of meaſures for my own gratification, without endeavouring to make it advantageous to you.
Sterl. What advantage can your inconſtancy be to me, Sir John?
Sir John. I'll tell you, Sir.—You know that by the articles at preſent ſubſiſting between us, on the day of my marriage with Miſs Sterling, you agree to pay down the groſs ſum of eighty thouſand pounds.
Sterl. Well!
Sir John. Now if you will but conſent to my waving that marriage
Sterl. I agree to your waving that marriage? Impoſſible, Sir John!
Sir John. I hope not, Sir; as on my part, I will agree to wave my right to thirty thouſand pounds of the fortune I was to receive with her.
Sterl. Thirty thouſand, d'ye ſay?
Sir John. Yes, Sir; and accept of Miſs Fanny with fifty thouſand, inſtead of fourſcore.
Sterl. Fifty thoufand—[pauſing.
Sir John. Inſtead of fourſcore.
