The Nephews: A Play, in Five Acts. - LightNovelsOnl.com
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_Augusta._ How so?
_Counsellor._ We'll make him look quite silly, by pretending to compliment him.
_Augusta._ I must decline taking any part, Sir.
_Counsellor_ [to Philip]. Mr. Brook, I have the honour to pay you my best compliments.
_Philip_ [turning quickly towards him]. On what account?
_Counsellor._ What account? Why--why--on having the happiness to see you.
_Philip._ Then, you must pay them to yourself.
_Counsellor._ But, as I have the honour to be upon terms of strict friends.h.i.+p with your----
_Philip._ Strict!
_Counsellor._ Very strict.
_Philip._ This is the first time I have heard of my brother's strictness.
_Counsellor._ But, Mr. Brook, you are seldom to be seen; why is this?
_Philip._ That I may not be seen too often.
_Counsellor._ But, you lock yourself up like a hermit; 'tis quite inconsistent with your age and station in life.
_Philip._ You think so?
_Counsellor._ It does not require much thinking, it is self-evident.
_Philip._ Indeed?
_Counsellor._ For instance--you live quite secluded from your friends.
_Philip_ [stepping back]. I distinguish between friends and acquaintance.
_Counsellor._ And you neglect the favour and protection of the great.
_Philip._ Do not flatter me to my face.
_Counsellor._ With your fortune, I wonder you do not buy an office and t.i.tle.
_Philip._ Because----but your question answers itself.
_Counsellor._ How so?
_Philip._ Because they are to be bought.
_Counsellor_ [with an affected laugh].--A fine reason; an excellent one, indeed! Plain Mr. Brook! it sounds very well [laughing]. Don't you think so, ladies? plain Mr. Brook!
_Philip._ Yet, in one respect I find that a bought office may be very useful.
_Counsellor_ [laughing]. See, ladies, he yields--he submits.
_Philip._ A bought office may be of use to a fool, who has no other means of recommending himself.
_Counsellor_ [at a loss]. That is indeed true, very true----
_Philip._ And a t.i.tle--you will certainly agree--is often an excellent protection for a knave. Excuse me, Sir!----This dry conversation-- [Going.
_Counsellor_ [detaining him]. Bravo, bravo, Mr. Ecclesiasticus!
_Philip._ Are you acquainted with his book?
_Counsellor._ Certainly.
_Philip._ And read it?
_Counsellor._ Oh, often, very often [laughing]; and I fancy I hear him now.
_Philip._ Yet, you have forgotten one of his best sayings.
_Counsellor._ Which?
_Philip._ A wife man smiles--a fool, a fool, Mr. Counsellor, laughs aloud. [Exit.
_Counsellor._ It is a pity he is gone; the best part of the jest was to come.
_Mrs. D._ But the laugh was not entirely on your side.
_Counsellor._ Why, I kept my best things to the last--but we will certainly christen him Mr. Ecclesiasticus [laughs]. When I tell his brother, he will enjoy it heartily.
Enter Mr. DRAVE.
_Mr. D._ Good morning, Sir!
_Counsellor._ Your most obedient, my dear Mr. Drave: I am happy to see you in health; I was much afflicted by your late indisposition.
_Mr. D._ I am obliged to you. [To Mrs. D.] Will you be so good as to go down awhile with Augusta?
_Mrs. D._ [aside to Mr. D.] But keep your temper. [Exeunt Mrs. D. and Augusta.
_Counsellor_ [is going after them]. Give me leave, Sir.
_Mr. D._ I will thank you for a few minutes conversation.
_Counsellor._ With all my heart. What do you wish?
