THI. (_reads_). "I know not if you doubt that my love be sincere, Yet this I know, that my heart every moment Longs to leave its sorry apartment To visit yours, with fond respect and fear. After all this, having my love in hand, And my honour, of superfine brand, You ought, in turn, I say, Content to be a countess gay, To cast that tigress' skin away, Which hides your charms both night and day." VISC. I am undone by Mr. Thibaudier. COUN. Do not make fun of it; for the verses are good although they are country verses. VISC. I, Madam, make fun of it! Though he is my rival, I think his verses admirable. I do not call them, like you, two strophes merely; but two epigrams, as good as any of Martial's. COUN. What! Does Martial make verses? I thought he only made gloves. THI. It is not that Martial, Madam, but an author who lived thirty or forty years ago.[6] VISC. Mr. Thibaudier has read the authors, as you see. But, Madam, we shall see if my comedy, with its interludes and dances, will counteract in your mind the progress which the two strophes have made. COUN. My son the Count must be one of the spectators, for he came this morning from my country-seat, with his tutor, whom I see here. SCENE XVII.--THE COUNTESS, JULIA, THE VISCOUNT, MR. THIBAUDIER, MR. BOBINET, CRIQUET. COUN. Mr. Bobinet, I say, Mr. Bobinet, come forward. BOB. I give the good evening to all this honourable company. What does Madam the Countess of Escarbagnas want of her humble servant Bobinet? COUN. At what time, Mr. Bobinet, did you leave Escarbagnas with the Count my son? BOB. At a quarter to nine, my lady, according to your orders. COUN. How are my two other sons, the Marquis and the Commander? BOB. They are, Heaven be thanked, in perfect health. COUN. Where is the Count? BOB. In your beautiful room, with a recess in it, Madam. COUN. What is he doing, Mr. Bobinet? BOB. Madam, he is composing an essay upon one of the epistles of Cicero, which I have just given him as a subject. COUN. Call him in, Mr. Bobinet. BOB. Be it according to your command, Madam. (_Exit_) SCENE XVIII.--THE COUNTESS, JULIA, THE VISCOUNT, MR. THIBAUDIER. THI. (_to the_ COUNTESS). That Mr. Bobinet, Madam, looks very wise, and I think that he is a man of _esprit_. SCENE XIX.--THE COUNTESS, JULIA, THE VISCOUNT, THE COUNT, MR. BOBINET, MR. THIBAUDIER. BOB. Come, my Lord, show what progress you make under the good precepts that are given you. Bow to the honourable company. COUN. (_showing_ JULIA). Come, Count, salute this lady; bow low to the viscount; salute the councillor. THI. I am delighted, Madam, that you should grant me the favour of embracing his lordship. One cannot love the trunk without loving the branches. COUN. Goodness gracious, Mr. Thibaudier, what a comparison to use! JU. Really, Madam, his lordship the count has perfect manners. VISC. This is a young gentleman who is thriving well.