[Lord Flint starts.
Sir Luke. I, my Lord? far be it from me! I was only saying what other people said; for my part I never harboured a doubt of the kind.—[Aside.] My head begins to nod, only for that word—pray Heaven, I may die with it on!—I shou'd not like to lose my head—nor shou'd I like to die by a bullet—nor by a small sword—and a cannon ball wou'd be as disagreeable, as any thing, I know—it is very odd—but I never yet could make up my mind, in what manner I shou'd like to go out of the world. [During this speech. Twineall is paying court to Lord Flint; they come forward and Sir Luke retires.
Lord. Your temerity astonishes me!
Twi. I must own, my Lord, I feel somewhat aukward in saying it to your Lordship—but my own heart—my own conscience—my own sentiments—they are my own—and they are dear to me.—And so it is—the Sultan does not appear to be [With significance.] that great man some people think him.
Lord. Sir, you astonish me—pray what is your name? I have forgotten it.
Twi. Twineall, my Lord—the honourable Henry Twineall—your Lordship does me great honour to ask—arrived this morning from England, as your Lordship may remember—in the ship Mercury, my Lord—and all the officers on board speaking with the highest admiration and warmest terms of your Lordship's official character.
Lord. Why, then, Mr. Twineall, I am very sorry—
Twi. And so am I, my Lord, that your sentiments and mine shou'd so far disagree, as I know they do.—I am not unacquainted with your firm adherence to the Emperor—but I am unused to disguise my thoughts—I cou'd not, if I wou'd—I have no little views—no sinister motives—no plots—no intrigues—no schemes of preferment,—and I verily believe that if a large scymitar was now directed at my head—or a large pension directed to my pocket—(in the first case at least) I shou'd speak my mind.
Lord. [Aside.] A dangerous young man this! and I may make something of the discovery.
Twi. [Aside.] It tickles him to the soul, I find.—My Lord, now I begin to be warm on the subject, I feel myself quite agitated—and, from the intelligence which I have heard, even when I was in England,—there is every reason to suppose——exm—exm—exm—[Mutters.]