_Niece._ I vow I'm out of countenance when our butler, with his careful face, drives us all stowed in a chariot drawn by one horse ambling and t'other trotting, with his provisions behind for the family, from Saturday night till Monday morning, bound for Hackney--then we make a comfortable figure, indeed. _Aunt._ So we do, and so will you always, if you marry your cousin Humphry. _Niece._ Name not the creature. _Aunt._ Creature! What, your own cousin a creature! _Niece._ Oh, let's be going. I see yonder another creature that does my uncle's law business, and has, I believe, made ready the deeds--those barbarous deeds! _Aunt._ What, Mr. Pounce a creature too! Nay, now I'm sure you're ignorant. You shall stay, and you'll learn more wit from him in an hour, than in a thousand of your foolish books in an age----Your servant, Mr. Pounce. _Enter_ POUNCE. _Pounce._ Ladies, I hope I don't interrupt any private discourse. _Aunt._ Not in the least, sir. _Pounce._ I should be loth to be esteemed one of those who think they have a privilege of mixing in all companies, without any business but to bring forth a loud laugh or vain jest. _Niece._ He talks with the mien and gravity of a Paladin. [_Aside._ _Pounce._ Madam, I bought the other day at three and a-half, and sold at seven---- _Aunt._ Then pray sir, sell for me in time. Niece, mind him; he has an infinite deal of wit. _Pounce._ This that I speak of was for you. I never neglect such opportunities to serve my friends. _Aunt._ Indeed, Mr. Pounce, you are, I protest without flattery, the wittiest man in the world. _Pounce._ I assure you, madam, I said last night, before an hundred head of citizens, that Mrs. Barsheba Tipkin was the most ingenious young lady in the Liberties. _Aunt._ Well, Mr. Pounce, you are so facetious--But you are always among the great ones; 'tis no wonder you have it. _Niece._ Idle! Idle! _Pounce._ But, madam, you know Alderman Grey-Goose, he's a notable joking man. Well, says he, here's Mrs. Barsheba's health; she's my mistress. _Aunt._ That man makes me split my sides with laughing, he's such a wag.--Mr. Pounce pretends Grey-Goose said all this, but I know 'tis his own wit, for he's in love with me. [_Aside._ _Pounce._ But, madam, there's a certain affair I should communicate to you. [_Apart._ _Aunt._ Ay, 'tis certainly so--he wants to break his mind to me. [_Aside._] [CAPTAIN CLERIMONT _passing._ _Pounce._ Oh, Mr. Clerimont, Mr. Clerimont----Ladies, pray let me introduce this young gentleman; he's my friend, a youth of great virtue and goodness, for all he's in a red coat. _Aunt._ If he's your friend we need not doubt his virtue. _Cler._ Ladies, you are taking the cool breath of the morning. _Niece._ A pretty phrase. [_Aside._ _Aunt._ That's the pleasantest time this warm weather. _Cler._ Oh, 'tis the season of the pearly dews and gentle zephyrs. _Niece._ Ay! pray mind that again, aunt. [_Aside._