Joseph. Charles has been imprudent, sir, to be sure; but I hope no busy people have already prejudiced Sir Oliver against him. He may reform.
Sir B. To be sure he may; for my part, I never believed him to be so utterly void of principle as people say; and though he has lost all his friends, I am told nobody is better spoken of by the Jews.
Crab. That’s true, egad! nephew. If the Old Jewry were a ward, I believe Charles would be an alderman: no man more popular there, ’fore gad! I hear he pays as many annuities as the Irish tontine; and that whenever he is sick, they have prayers for the recovery of his health in all the synagogues.
Sir B. Yet no man lives in greater splendour. They tell me, when he entertains his friends, he will sit down to dinner with a dozen of his own securities; have a score of tradesmen waiting in the ante-chamber, and an officer behind every guest’s chair.
Joseph. This may be entertainment to you, gentlemen, but you pay very little regard to the feelings of a brother.
Maria. Their malice is intolerable. Lady Sneerwell, I must wish you a good morning. I’m not very well. [Exit.
Mrs. C. Oh, dear! she changes colour very much.
Lady S. Do, Mrs. Candour, follow her: she may want your assistance.
Mrs. C. That I will, with all my soul, ma’am. Poor dear girl, who knows what her situation may be? [Exit.
Lady S. ’Twas nothing but that she could not bear to hear Charles reflected on, notwithstanding their difference.