Roger: Assuredly. And your esteemed father, for his part—hasn't he worked hard to amass all this wealth?
Edward:
Without a doubt.
Roger:
It's better that you practice this foolishness while he's still alive.
After he's dead he won't be in a position to straighten things out.
Edward;
You're right, Roger.
Roger: Sir, you're not so bad that you can't, at least, speak well. Your father will have made a huge profit from his trip—and you will have made a huge expenditure in his absence. Of what can he complain when he returns? It will be as if he had never gone, and at worst it will be his fault for having been so foolish as to make the trip.
Edward:
You're really talking some sense today, Roger.
Roger: Between you and me, your father is not very bright. I've led him by the nose and you know it. I can make him believe anything I want to. And when he comes back this time I think I still have power enough to pull you out of this sorry mess. Let's go sir. Good cheer and a warm fire. Courage returns to me. How many for dinner tonight?
Edward:
Five or six.
Roger: And your dear friend the self styled Squire who has helped you to gobble up so much of your wealth so stylishly—will he be here?
Edward: He promised me he would, but here is the charming Belinda and her cousin—