tion 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 title--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?

_Mr. D._ Sir, you have honoured my family with your visits.

_Counsellor._ Pray, Sir--too kind--the pleasure of your company----

_Mr. D._ It is time to come to an explanation: therefore, Sir--without
farther preface, my daughter, I think, is the object of your visits?

_Counsellor._ She is, Sir.

_Mr. D._ You wish, doubtless, to marry her?

_Counsellor._ Yes--yes--if--to be sure, for my part--I----

_Mr. D._ [earnestly]. You certainl