The Heiress (Burgoyne, 1786)/Act 5, Scene 1

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Your knowledge in the profession, Mr. Right­ly, is as questionless as your integrity; but there is something so surprizing in the discovery of the Charlton estate.

Rightly.It is so strange, that I will not pro­nounce a positive opinion, till I have read again the collateral papers, and consider'd fully the de­scents in your family. Your grandfather, I think, was deceived in supposing he had a right to sell that part of the Charlton estate, which Alscrip proposes for his daughter's portion. The strength of this old settlement must have escaped my brother lawyer, or he was mad when he put it into my hands.

Clifford.If you knew too, how the value of the acquisition is enhanced, by the opportune mo­ment in which it presents itself—I am in too much emotion to thank you as I ought.

Rightly.Sir, I want neither compliment, nor acknowledgement, for revealing what I should be a party to dishonesty to conceal—but that duty done, wou'd it be an abuse of benevolence, un­worthy as some of the parties may be, to preserve the peace of all concerned.

Clifford.In what manner.

Rightly.Sir Clement Flint will renounce the Alscrip alliance, at the first appearance of this defalcation, and if I am well informed, Lord ​Gayville will not lament the loss of his intended bride. The young lady is therefore free and still possessed of a great inheritance.

Clifford.I do not yet perceive what you aim at.

Rightly.She has the faults that wealth and a false education create, but they are not incurable. Marry her yourself. By sinking the claim in the union with his family, you command the father's approbation; and the daughter must be of a strange mould indeed, if the same obligation does not become a corrective of her pride, and an excitement to her gratitude. (smiling) I give some token of my friendship, when, as a lawyer, I propose you a wife instead of a suit in chan­cery.

Clifford.I feel all the kindness of your sugges­tion; but if my claim is precarious, it is as re­pugnant to my delicacy as to my inclination, to realize it upon such terms; if it is substantial, I have such a disposition to make—you have a right to all my thoughts; but I have an appoint­ment to obey, that admits no time for explana­tion; favor me for a moment with your pencil, (Rightly takes out a pencil and pocket-book.) And a blank page in that memorandum book. [Clifford writes.

Rightly.My life on't, his head is turn'd upon some girl not worth a shilling——There is an amiable defect, but a very observable one in the nature of some men. A good head and heart operate as effectually as vice or folly could do to make them improvident.

Clifford.Mr. Rightly, I confide to your hands a new secret relative to the Charlton estate; do not read it till you return home, (gives the book, aside ​and going.) There, Gayville, is one reply to your challenge—and now for another.

Rightly.One moment, Sir—I engage for no secrecy that my own judgment shall not warrant.

Clifford.And the benevolence of your heart ap­prove—Those are my conditions.——— [Exeunt on opposite sides.