"But, Sir, he's an old man, I suppose, by being so rich?"

"Old? no, no such thing; about my own standing."

"What, Sir, and do you propose him for an husband to Miss Beverley?"

"Why not? know ever a one warmer? think Master Harrel will get her a
better? or t'other old Don, in the grand square?"

"If you please, Sir," cried Cecilia hastily, "we will talk of this
matter another time."

"No, pray," cried young Delvile, who could not forbear laughing, "let
it be discussed now."

"Hate 'em," continued Mr Briggs, "hate 'em both! one spending more
than he's worth, cheated and over-reached by fools, running into gaol
to please a parcel of knaves; t'other counting nothing but uncles and
grandfathers, dealing out fine names instead of cash, casting up more
cousins than guineas--"

Again Cecilia endeavoured to silence him, but, only chucking her under
the chin, he went on, "Ay, ay, my little duck, never mind 'em; one of
'em i'n't worth a penny, and t'other has nothing in his pockets but
lists of the defunct. What good will come of that? would not give
twopence a dozen for 'em! A poor set of grandees, with nothing but a
tie-wig for their portions!"

Cecilia, unable to bear this harangue in the presence of young