HARD. Gentlemen, once more you are heartily welcome. Which is Mr. Marlow? Sir, you are heartily welcome. It's not my way, you see, to receive my friends with my back to the fire. I like to give them a hearty reception, in the old style, at my gate. I like to see their horses and trunks taken care of. MARL. (_Aside._) He has got our names from the servants already. (_To him._) We approve your caution and hospitality, sir. (_To_ HASTINGS.) I have been thinking, George, of changing our travelling dresses in the morning. I am grown confoundedly ashamed of mine. HARD. I beg, Mr. Marlow, you'll use no ceremony in this house. HAST. I fancy, Charles, you're right: the first blow is half the battle. I intend opening the campaign with the white and gold. HARD. Mr. Marlow—Mr. Hastings—gentlemen—pray be under no restraint in this house. This is Liberty Hall, gentlemen. You may do just as you please here. MARL. Yet, George, if we open the campaign too fiercely at first we may want ammunition before it is over. I think to reserve the embroidery to secure a retreat. HARD. Your talking of a retreat, Mr. Marlow, puts me in mind of the Duke of Marlborough, when he went to besiege Denain. He first summoned the garrison. MARL. Don't you think the _ventre_ _d'or_ waistcoat will do with the plain brown? HARD. He first summoned the garrison, which might consist of about five thousand men— HAST. I think not: brown and yellow mix but very poorly. HARD. I say, gentlemen, as I was telling you, he summoned the garrison, which might consist of about five thousand men— MARL. The girls like finery. HARD. Which might consist of about five thousand men, well appointed with stores, ammunition, and other implements of war. Now, says the Duke of Marlborough, to George Brooks, that stood next to him—you must have heard of George Brooks; "I'll pawn my dukedom," says he, "but I take that garrison without spilling a drop of blood." So—— MARL. What, my good friend, if you gave us a glass of punch in the meantime? It would help us to carry on the siege with vigour. HARD. Punch, sir! (_Aside._) This is the most unaccountable kind of modesty I ever met with. MARL. Yes, sir, punch. A glass of warm punch, after our journey, will be comfortable. This is Liberty-hall, you know. HARD. Here's cup, sir. MARL. (_Aside._) So this fellow, in his Liberty-hall, will only let us have just what he pleases. HARD. (_Taking the cup._) I hope you'll find it to your mind. I have prepared it with my own hands, and I believe you'll own the ingredients are tolerable. Will you be so good as to pledge me, sir? Here, Mr. Marlow, here is to our better acquaintance. _Drinks._ MARL. (_Aside._) A very impudent fellow this! but he's a character, and I'll humour him a little. Sir, my service to you. _Drinks._