“This is not my doctrine,” cried Hobson; “I am not a near man, neither, but as to giving at that rate, it's quite out of character. I have as good a right to my own savings, as to my own gettings; and what I say is this, who'll give to _me_? let me see that, and it's quite another thing: and begin who will, I'll be bound to go on with him, pound for pound, or pence for pence. But as to giving to them beggars, it's what I don't approve; I pay the poor's rate, and that's what I call charity enough for any man. But for the matter of living well, and spending one's money handsomely, and having one's comforts about one, why it's a thing of another nature, and I can say this for myself, and that is, I never grudged myself any thing in my life. I always made myself agreeable, and lived on the best. That's my way.” “Bad way too,” cried Briggs, “never get on with it, never see beyond your nose; won't be worth a plum while your head wags!” then, taking Cecilia apart, “hark'ee, my duck,” he added, pointing to Albany, “who is that Mr Bounce, eh? what is he?” “I have known him but a short time, Sir; but I think of him very highly.” “Is he a _good_ man? that's the point, is he a _good_ man?” “Indeed he appears to me uncommonly benevolent and charitable.” “But that i'n't the thing; is he _warm_? that's the point, is he _warm_?” “If you mean _passionate_,” said Cecilia, “I believe the energy of his manner is merely to enforce what he says.” “Don't take me, don't take me,” cried he, impatiently; “can come down with the ready, that's the matter; can chink the little gold boys? eh?” “Why I rather fear not by his appearance; but I know nothing of his affairs.” “What does come for? eh? come a courting?” “Mercy on me, no!” “What for then? only a spunging?” “No, indeed. He seems to have no wish but to assist and plead for others.” “All fudge! think he i'n't touched? ay, ay; nothing but a trick! only to get at the chink: see he's as poor as a rat, talks of nothing but giving money; a bad sign! if he'd got any, would not do it. Wanted to make us come down; warrant thought to bam us all! out there! a'n't so soon gulled.” A knock at the street door gave now a new interruption, and Mr Delvile at length appeared. Cecilia, whom his sight could not fail to disconcert, felt doubly distressed by the unnecessary presence of Albany and Hobson; she regretted the absence of Mr Monckton, who could easily have taken them away; for though without scruple she could herself have acquainted Mr Hobson she had business, she dreaded offending Albany, whose esteem she was ambitious of obtaining.