Counsellor. With your fortune, I wonder you do not buy an office and title.
Philip. Because——but your question answers itself.
Counsellor. How so?
Philip. Because they are to be bought.
Counsellor [with an affected laugh].—A fine reason; an excellent one, indeed! Plain Mr. Brook! it sounds very well [laughing]. Don't you think so, ladies? plain Mr. Brook!
Philip. Yet, in one respect I find that a bought office may be very useful.
Counsellor [laughing]. See, ladies, he yields—he submits.
Philip. A bought office may be of use to a fool, who has no other means of recommending himself.
Counsellor [at a loss]. That is indeed true, very true——
Philip. And a title—you will certainly agree—is often an excellent protection for a knave. Excuse me, Sir!——This dry conversation— [Going.