But that you should have been cozened with me, that my cozening should in part have been a natural sequel to your own, rather than an independent error of mine, is a helpful reflection to me in this dark hour.

The intruding investor (VC #2) makes an offer at a pre-money valuation of $15 million, subject to due diligence, and the expiration of the drop dead date, meaning the date in the initial investor's term sheet when exclusivity expires.

He's gone to shop around for a new car.

“They herd cattle, and raise corn, just as we used to do”; i.e., to herd cattle and raise corn. Do is sometimes thus used as a sort of pro-verb to represent an active verb or a phrase.