At the Chancellor's.
The CHANCELLOR and a CLERK entering on
different sides.
_Chancellor._ I was looking for you. What news?
_Clerk._ Every thing goes on very well, Sir.
_Chancellor._ How so, my friend?
_Clerk._ I have just spoken to Mr. Drave's clerk, who told me, that his
master had given security for young Brook's L.10,000, at Rose's.
_Chancellor._ Excellent, excellent!
_Clerk._ He added, that his master must inevitably stop payment, if
this sum were demanded immediately.
_Chancellor._ That shall be my care. I have already given orders to our
Jew Broker; he is to join with some other creditors of young Brook, and
insist on immediate payment.
_Clerk._ The man also assured me, that the inventory of old Brook's
property was drawn up in a hasty, and rather irregular manner.
_Chancellor._ Better and better! now we are sure of him.--I prevailed
on young Brook to sign a protest against this inventory, as being
illegally drawn up--It will soon be all over with them.
_Clerk._ But, it will make a great noise: nobody dares to speak freely,
it is true. But, then there is the Minister--his patriotic fancies----
_Chancellor_ [laughing], _are_ fancies.----
_Clerk._ Yet our Prince is every day more pleased with him. They are
frequently whole hours together.
_Chancellor._ I am an old servant, and know the Prince well. Fear
nothing. Drave shall at length suffer for all his calumnies: when we
have once got rid of him, we shall have every thing to ourselves. It
will be an additional profit of at least two thousand a year.
_Clerk._ Certainly it will.
_Chancellor._ You will therefore draw immediately for the above sum. If
he cannot pay, a warrant must be issued, seals put on, and he will be a
bankrupt, and ruined at once: but at the same time do not forget to
look after the old uncle.
_Clerk._ I have heard of an old man who, from the description, appears
to resemble him exactly.
_Chancellor._ For God's sake, take care.
_Clerk._ Rely upon me.--But, I do not at all like the elder Brook.
_Chancellor._ Oh, fair and softly goes far; only be on your guard.
(Servant entering.) The coach, my Lord!
_Chancellor._ Come! [Exeunt.