knows
But little of such heat! We are wronged, sir, wronged!
You wear a sword, and so do I.

_Clif_. Well, sir!

_Wal_. You know the use, sir, of a sword?

_Clif_. I do.
To whip a knave, sir, or an honest man!
A wise man or a fool--atone for wrong,
Or double the amount on't! Master Walter,
Touching your ward, if wrong is done, I think
On my side lies the grievance. I would not say so
Did I not think so. As for love--look, sir,
That hand's a widower's, to its first mate sworn
To clasp no second one. As for amends, sir,
You're free to get them from a man in whom
You've been forestalled by fortune, for the spite
Which she has vented on him, if you still
Esteem him worth your anger. Please you read
That letter. Now, sir, judge if life is dear
To one so much a loser.

_Wal_. What, all gone!
Thy cousin living they reported dead!

_Clif_. Title and land, sir, unto which add love!
All gone, save life and honour, which, ere I'll lose,
I'll let the other go.

_Wal_. We're public here,
And may be interrupted. Let us seek
Some spot of privacy. Your letter, sir.

[Gives it back.]

Though fortune slights you, I'll not slight you; not
Your title or the lack of it I heed.
Whether upon the score of love or hate,
With you and you alone I settle, sir.
We've gone too far. 'Twere folly now to part
Without a reckoning.

_Clif_. Just as you please.

_Wal_. You've done
A noble lady wrong.

_Clif_. That lady, sir,
Has done me wrong.

_Wal_. Go to, thou art a boy
Fit to be trusted with a plaything, not
A woman's heart. Thou knowest not what it is!
And that I'll prove to thee, soon as we find
Convenient place. Come on, sir! you shall get
A lesson that shall serve you for the rest
Of your life. I'll make you own her, sir, a piece
Of Nature's handiwork, as costly, free
From bias, flaw, and fair, as ever yet
Her cunning hand turned out. Come on, sir! come!

[They go out.]

ACT III.

SCENE I.--A Drawing-room.

[Enter LORD TINSEL and the EARL OF ROCHDALE.]

_Tin_. Refuse a lord! A saucy lady this.
I scarce can credit it.

_Roch_. She'll change her mind.
My agent, Master Walter, is her guardian.

_Tin_. How can you keep that Hunchback in his office?
He mocks you.

_Roch_. He is useful. Never heed him.
My offer now do I present through him.
He has the title-deeds of my estates,
She'll listen to their wooing. I must have her.
Not that I love her, but that all allow
She