capable.

_Enter_ Monsieur Riccardo.

_Ric._ Your servant, Monsieur Philibert.

_Phil._ Good day to you, Monsieur Riccardo. Excuse me if I have put you
to any inconvenience.

_Ric._ Have you any commands for me?

_Phil._ I wish to have some conversation with you. Pray be seated.

_Ric._ I can spare but a few moments.

_Phil._ Are you much engaged just now?

_Ric._ Yes, indeed; among other things, I am harassed by a number of
people about the case of the smugglers who have been arrested.

_Phil._ I have heard of it. Are these poor people still in prison?

_Ric._ Yes; and I wish they may remain there until their house is
utterly ruined.

_Phil._ And have you the heart to bear the tears of their children?

_Ric._ Had they not the heart to violate the laws of the customs--to
defraud the revenue? I wish I could catch them oftener; do you not know
that smugglers on conviction pay all costs?

_Phil._ [_Aside._] Oh! his vile employment.

_Ric._ Well, what have you to say to me?

_Phil._ Monsieur Riccardo, you have a daughter to marry.

_Ric._ Yes, and a plague to me she is.

_Phil._ Does her being in your house put you to any inconvenience?

_Ric._ No; but the thought of providing for her when she marries does.

_Phil._ [_Aside._] How contemptible!--If she wishes to marry, you must
provide for her.

_Ric._ I shall do so; I shall be obliged to do so; but on one of two
conditions: without a fortune, if she marries to please herself,--with
one, if to please me.

_Phil._ I have a proposal to make to you.

_Ric._ Let me hear it, but be quick.

_Phil._ Do you know a certain French officer who is a guest in my house?

_Ric._ Do you propose him for my daughter?

_Phil._ Say I did, would you have any objection?

_Ric._ An officer, and a Frenchman! He shall have my daughter neither
with nor without a fortune.

_Phil._ Are you, then, opposed to the French and the military?

_Ric._ Yes, to both equally; much more so if they are united in the same
person. I hate the French, because they are not friends to commerce and
industry, as we are; they care for nothing but suppers, the theatre, and
amusement. With soldiers I have no reason to be pleased; I know how much
I lose by them. They contend we contractors are obliged to maintain
their infantry--their horse; and when they are in quarters, they waste a
whole arsenal full of money.

_Phil._ The French officer of whom I speak is an honourable man; he has
no v