Next Door Neighbours Part 12

BLACKMAN.

Stick to your truth--but confide in me as usual.--You will go with me, then, to Mr. Manly, your father's lawyer, and corroborate all that I shall say?

SIR GEORGE.

Tell me, but what you intend to say?

BLACKMAN.

I can't do that. In the practice of the law, we never know what we intend to say--and therefore our blunders, when we make them, are in some measure excusable--and if I should chance to make a blunder or two, I mean any trivial mistake, when we come before this lawyer, you must promise not to interfere, or in any shape contradict me.

SIR GEORGE.

A mere lapse of memory, I have nothing to do with.

BLACKMAN.

And my memory grows very bad; therefore you must not disconcert me.

SIR GEORGE.

Come, let us begone--I am ready to go with you this moment.

BLACKMAN.

I must first go home, and prepare a few writings.

SIR GEORGE.

But call to mind that I rely upon your honour.

BLACKMAN.

Do you think Bluntly, your servant, is an honest man?

SIR GEORGE.

I am sure he is.

BLACKMAN.

Then, to quiet your fears, I will take him along with us; and you will depend on what he shall say, I make no doubt?

SIR GEORGE.

I would stake my being upon his veracity.

BLACKMAN.

Call him in, then, and bid him do as I command him.

SIR GEORGE.

Here, Bluntly. (_Enter_ BLUNTLY.) Mr. Blackman has some business with you--listen to him with attention, and follow his directions. [_Exit._

BLACKMAN.

You know, I suppose, the perilous situation of your master?

[BLUNTLY _shakes his head, and wipes his eyes._

BLACKMAN.

Good fellow! good fellow!--and you would, I dare say, do any thing to rescue him from the misery with which he is surrounded?

BLUNTLY.

I would lay down my life.

BLACKMAN.

You can do it for less. Only put on a black coat, and the business is done.

BLUNTLY.

What's that all? Oh! if I can save him by putting on a black coat, I'll go buy mourning, and wear it all my life.

BLACKMAN.

There's a good fellow. I sincerely thank you for this attachment to your master.

[_Shaking him by the hand._

BLUNTLY.

My dear Blackman, I beg your pardon for what I am going to say; but as you behave thus friendly on this unfortunate occasion, I must confess to you--that till now I always hated you.--I could not bear the sight of you.--For I thought you (I wish I may die if I did not) one of the greatest rogues in the world. I fancied you only waited on, and advised my master to make your market of him.--But now your attention to him in his distress, when all his friends have forsaken him, is so kind--Heaven bless you--Heaven bless you--I'll go buy a black coat.

[_Going._

BLACKMAN.

I have something more to say to you.--When you have put on this coat, you must meet your master and me at Mr. Manly's, the lawyer; and when we are all there, you must mind and say, exactly what I say.

BLUNTLY.

And what will that be?

BLACKMAN.

Oh! something.

BLUNTLY.

I have no objection to say something--but I hope you won't make me say any thing.

BLACKMAN.

You seem to doubt me once more, sir?

BLUNTLY.

No, I am doubting you now for the first time; for I always thought I was _certain_ before.

BLACKMAN.

And will you not venture to say yes, and no, to what I shall advance?

BLUNTLY.

Why--I think I may venture to say yes to your no, and no to your yes, with a safe conscience.

BLACKMAN.

If you do not instantly follow me and do all that I shall propose, your master is ruined.--Would you see him dragged to prison?

BLUNTLY.

No, I would sooner go myself.

BLACKMAN.

Then why do you stand talking about a safe conscience. Half my clients would have been ruined if I had shewn my zeal as you do. Conscience indeed! Why, this is a matter of law, to serve your master in his necessity.