Brum. Really, my good young friend, you surprise me. Don't you know that you take medicine—you take a walk—you take a liberty—but you drink tea! My dear Fotherby, never be bearer of such a dreadful message again. Isidore! has my Paris wig arrived? Any card or letter?
Isid. No cards, sir. The wig arrived by the diligence.
Brun. Is the wig fit to put on?
Isid. I have been examining it, and, as the times go, I think it will do. There is one of the side locks not quite to my taste.
Brum. Ah! a mat, no doubt—a door-mat! [Exit Isidore. To Fotherby.] You see what a gentleman may be reduced to! It's the most fortunate thing in the world that I never fell in love!
Fother. But were you never in love?—never engaged?
Brum. Engaged?—why, yes, something of the kind; but I discovered that the lady positively ate cabbage, and so I broke it off.
Fother. And so, sir, you will persuade the old gentleman to postpone Helen's marriage with Armand—while I——
Brum. My dear young friend, I will tell the old gentleman to do so—you must see that I could not possibly think of persuading a person who grows onions in his garden——
Fother. We shall be eternally grateful——