to have the honour of speaking to
you in private.

_Front._ [_Angrily to the_ Tailor.] If I must not stay, I can go.

_Count._ By no means. Frontino is part of the family: you may speak
before him.

_Front._ [_To the_ Tailor.] You see, sir! Hem!

_Tail._ No, friend; I did not mean you, but--look to see if we have no
listeners. [_Slily gives_ Frontino _a crown._]

_Front._ [_Aside._] A crown! It is long since I had so much.

_Tail._ Sir, I comprehend the nature of your project. You are not
naturally inclined to pomp; but, sagacious and prudent as you are, you
willingly sacrifice to appearance and convenience. I esteem myself most
fortunate in having the honour to serve you. I admire gentlemen who
think like you, and laugh at those who ruin themselves, while I give
them every aid in my power, that they may be ruined in style. In me you
have discovered the only man fit for your purpose: set your heart at
rest; I have the means to satisfy you.

_Count._ [_Aside._] If I do not mistake, this is a most smooth-tongued,
artful--[_Aloud._] Well, then, you will make my four suits!

_Tail._ Pardon me, sir, your idea is not practicable. I could not avoid
paying extremely dear for the embroidery; and my delicate conscience
would never permit me to sell it again as new.

_Count._ [_Aside._] His delicate conscience! Why did he come to me?

_Tail._ I will confide a secret to you which I have treasured jealously;
for, were it known, I cannot tell you how much it would prejudice my
character and credit. I, who am the court-tailor, tailor to the
principal nobility of Paris, I secretly, and under a borrowed name,
carry on a flourishing trade in old clothes.

_Count._ An old clothesman keep his coach?

_Tail._ Which is maintained by that very means.

_Front._ [_To the_ Count.] You see, sir, I have found you a man of
sincerity; a man whose heart is as open as his face; a man who merits
all your confidence.

_Count._ [_Aside._] I perceive.--[_Aloud._] Should I find this to be to
my interest?

_Tail._ I will show you two dozen of most magnificent suits, all new,
that never were worn but once or twice at the most.

_Count._ Will they be known again?

_Tail._ No danger of that; everything that enters my magazine assumes a
new face. I export the most splendid samples that France produces, and
I import the spoils and riches of the principal cities in Europe. You
shall see suits the most superb, and stuffs of the greatest rarit