DICKON She speaks likewise for his young lordship’s father, sir.
JUSTICE MERTON Ah! of course. [Reads.] “In a strange land, I intrust him to you as to a father.” Honoured, believe me! “I have only to add my earnest hope that the natural gifts, graces, and inherited fortune”—ah—!
DICKON Twenty thousand pounds—on his father’s demise.
JUSTICE MERTON Ah!—“fortune of this young scion of nobility will so propitiate the heart of your niece, Mistress Rachel Merton, as to cause her to accept his proffered hand in matrimony;” —but—but—but Squire Talbot is betrothed to—well, well, we shall see;—“in matrimony, and thus cement the early bonds of interest and affection between your honoured self and his lordship’s father; not to mention, dear sir, your worship’s ever grateful and obedient admirer, “Elizabeth, “Marchioness of R.”
Of R.! of R.! Will you believe me, my dear sir, so long is it since my travels in England—I visited at so many—hem! noble estates—permit me, it is so awkward, but—
DICKON [With his peculiar intonation of Act I.] Not at all.
JUSTICE MERTON [Starting.] I—I confess, sir, my youthful memory fails me. Will you be so very obliging; this—this Marchioness of R.—?
DICKON [Enjoying his discomfiture.] Yes?
JUSTICE MERTON The R, I presume, stands for—
DICKON Rickby.