round the room, and perceiving the two strangers, he was visibly
surprised, and looking at Cecilia for some explanation, seemed to stand
suspended from the purpose of his visit till he heard one.

Cecilia, earnest to have the business concluded, turned to Mr Briggs,
and said, "Sir, here is pen and ink: are you to write, or am I? or what
is to be done?"

"No, no," said he, with a sneer, "give it t'other; all in our turn;
don't come before his Grace the Right Honourable Mr Vampus."

"Before whom, Sir?" said Mr Delvile, reddening.

"Before my Lord Don Pedigree," answered Briggs, with a spiteful grin,
"know him? eh? ever hear of such a person?"

Mr Delvile coloured still deeper, but turning contemptuously from him,
disdained making any reply.

Mr Briggs, who now regarded him as a defeated man, said exultingly to
Mr Hobson, "what do stand here for?--hay?--fall o' your marrowbones;
don't see 'Squire High and Mighty?"

"As to falling on my marrowbones," answered Mr Hobson, "it's what I
shall do to no man, except he was the King himself, or the like of
that, and going to make me Chancellor of the Exchequer, or Commissioner
of Excise. Not that I mean the gentleman any offence; but a man's a
man, and for one man to worship another is quite out of law."

"Must, must!" cried Briggs, "tell all his old grand-dads else: keeps