Orl. Within a stone’s cast of this place; my mistress, I think, would be content to let him enjoy it after her decease, if that would serve his turn, so my master would yield too; but she cannot abide to hear that the lord should meddle with it in her lifetime.
Inf. Is she then married? why stirs not her husband in it?
Orl. Her husband stirs in it underhand: but because the other is a great rich man, my master is loath to be seen in it too much.
Inf. Let her in writing draw the cause at large:
And I will move the duke.
Orl. ’Tis set down, madam, here in black and white already: work it so madam, that she may keep her own without disturbance, grievance, molestation, or meddling of any other; and she bestows this purse of gold on your ladyship.
Inf. Old man, I’ll plead for her, but take no fees:
Give lawyers them, I swim not in that flood;
I’ll touch no gold, till I have done her good.
Orl. I would all proctors’ clerks were of your mind, I should law more amongst them than I do then; here, madam, is the survey, not only of the manor itself, but of the grange-house, with every meadow, pasture, plough-land, cony-burrow, fish-pond, hedge, ditch, and bush, that stands in it. [Gives a letter.
Inf. My husband’s name, and hand and seal at arms
To a love letter? Where hadst thou this writing?
Orl. From the foresaid party, madam, that would keep the foresaid land out of the foresaid lord’s fingers.