The Conscious Lovers

Tom disguised as Bramble and Target. Mrs. Sealand Gentlemen, this is the party concerned, Mr. Cimberton; and I hope you have considered of the matter. Target Yes, madam, we have agreed that it must be by indent⁠—dent⁠—dent⁠—dent⁠— Bramble Yes, madam, Mr. Serjeant and myself have agreed, as he is pleased to inform you, that it must be an indenture tripartite,30 and tripartite let it be, for Sir Geoffry must needs be a party; old Cimberton, in the year 1619, says, in that ancient roll in Mr. Serjeant’s hands, as recourse thereto being had, will more at large appear⁠— Target Yes, and by the deeds in your hands, it appears that⁠— Bramble Mr. Serjeant, I beg of you to make no inferences upon what is in our custody; but speak to the titles in your own deeds. I shall not show that deed till my client is in town. Cimberton You know best your own methods. Mrs. Sealand The single question is, whether the entail is such that my cousin, Sir Geoffry, is necessary in this affair? Bramble Yes, as to the lordship of Tretriplet, but not as to the messuage of Grimgribber. Target I say that Gr⁠—gr⁠—that Gr⁠—gr⁠—Grimgribber, Grimgribber is in us; that is to say the remainder thereof, as well as that of Tr⁠—tr⁠—Triplet. Bramble You go upon the deed of Sir Ralph, made in the middle of the last century, precedent to that in which old Cimberton made over the remainder, and made it pass to the heirs general, by which your client comes in; and I question whether the remainder even of Tretriplet is in him⁠—But we are willing to waive that, and give him a valuable consideration. But we shall not purchase what is in us forever, as Grimgribber is, at the rate, as we guard against the contingent of Mr. Cimberton having no son⁠—Then we know Sir Geoffry is the first of the collateral male line in this family⁠—yet⁠— Target Sir, Gr⁠—gr⁠—ber is⁠— Bramble I apprehend you very well, and your argument might be of force, and we would be inclined to hear that in all its parts⁠—But, sir, I see very plainly what you are going into. I tell you, it is as probable a contingent that Sir Geoffry may die before Mr. Cimberton, as that he may outlive him. Target Sir, we are not ripe for that yet, but I must say⁠— Bramble Sir, I allow you the whole extent of that argument; but that will go no farther than as to the claimants under old Cimberton. I am of opinion that, according to the instruction of Sir Ralph, he could not dock the entail, and then create a new estate for the heirs general. Target Sir, I have not patience to be told that, when Gr⁠—gr⁠—ber⁠— Bramble I will allow it you, Mr. Serjeant; but there must be the word heirs forever, to make such an estate as you pretend. Cimberton I must be impartial, though you are counsel for my side of the question. Were it not that you are so good as to allow him what he has not said, I should think it very hard you should answer him without hearing him⁠—But, gentlemen, I believe you have both considered this matter, and are firm in your different opinions. ’Twere better, therefore, you proceeded according to the particular sense of each of you, and gave your thoughts distinctly in writing. And do you see, sirs, pray let me have a copy of what you say in English. Bramble Why, what is all we have been saying? In English! Oh! but I forget myself, you’re a wit. But, however, to please you, sir, you shall have it, in as plain terms as the law will admit of. Cimberton But I would have it, sir, without delay. Bramble That, sir, the law will not admit of. The Courts are sitting at Westminster, and I am this moment obliged to be at every one of them, and ’twould be wrong if I should not be in the hall to attend one of ’em at least; the rest would take it ill else. Therefore, I must leave what I have said to Mr. Serjeant’s consideration, and I will digest his arguments on my part, and you shall hear from me again, sir. Exit Bramble. Target Agreed, agreed. Cimberton Mr. Bramble is very quick; he parted a little abruptly. Target He could not bear my argument; I pinched him to the quick about that Gr⁠—gr⁠—ber. Mrs. Sealand I saw that, for he durst not so much as hear you. I shall send to you, Mr. Serjeant, as soon as Sir Geoffry comes to town, and then I hope all may be adjusted. Target I shall be at my chambers, at my usual hours. Exit. Cimberton Madam, if you please, I’ll now attend you to the tea table, where I shall hear from your ladyship reason and good sense, after all this law and gibberish. Mrs. Sealand ’Tis a wonderful thing, sir, that men of professions do not study to talk the substance of what they have to say in the language of the rest of the world. Sure, they’d find their account in it. Cimberton They might, perhaps, madam, with people of your good sense; but with the generality ’twould never do. The vulgar would have no respect for truth and knowledge, if they were exposed to naked view.

Truth is too simple, of all art bereaved:
Since the world will⁠—why let it be deceived.

Exeunt.

Act IV

Scene I. Bevil Jr.’s Lodgings.31

	Bevil Jr., with a letter in his hand; followed by Tom.
Tom	Upon my life, sir, I know nothing of the matter. I never opened my lips to Mr. Myrtle about anything of your honour’s letter to Madam Lucinda.
Bevil Jr.	What’s the fool in such a fright for? I don’t suppose you did. What I would know is, whether Mr. Myrtle shows any suspicion, or asked you any questions, to lead you to say casually that you had carried any such