FullReads

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.

JU

. Who could have believed that your ladyship had so big a child.

COUN

. Alas! when he was born, I was so young that I still played with dolls.

JU

. He is your brother and not your son.

COUN

. Be very careful of his education, Mr. Bobinet.

BOB

. I shall never, Madam, neglect anything towards the cultivation of the young plant which your goodness has entrusted to my care, and I will try to inculcate in him the seeds of all the virtues.

COUN

. Mr. Bobinet, just make him recite some choice piece from what you teach him.

BOB

. Will your lordship repeat your lesson of yesterday morning?

COUN

.
Omne viro soli quod convenit esto virile,
Omne viri….

COUN

. Fie! Mr. Bobinet; what silly stuff is that you teach him?

BOB

. It is Latin, Madam, and the first rule of Jean Despautere.

COUN

. Truly, that Jean Despautere is an impudent fellow, and I beg you to teach my son more honest Latin than this is in future.

BOB

. If you will allow him to say it all through, Madam, the gloss will explain the meaning.

COUN

. There is no need; it explains itself sufficiently.

SCENE XX

.–THE COUNTESS, JULIA, THE VISCOUNT, MR THIBAUDIER, THE COUNT, MR. BOBINET, CRIQUET.

CRI

. The actors send me to tell you that they are ready.

COUN

. Let us take our seats. (Showing JULIA.) Mr. Thibaudier, take this lady under your care.