Apartment at Mr. Drave's House.
Mrs. DRAVE.--AUGUSTA.
(Augusta entering with a letter in her hand, which
she gives to her Mother.)
_Augusta._ Here is a letter from Philip Brook's landlord.
_Mrs. D._ [reads]--How!
_Augusta._ What does it contain?
_Mrs. D._ I'll read it you. "Madam---Counsellor Fleffel has come with a
warrant to examine Mr. Brook's apartment. He has forced the locks of
his bureau and drawers, and seized the papers. I think they must be of
great importance, for he is in a violent passion, and talks of
treasonable practices, of libels, of revenge."----Our worthy friend,
too, the prey of powerful enemies! It is hard.
_Augusta._ But what can he have to apprehend from them?
_Mrs. D._ The abuse or suppression of his papers.
_A Servant entering._ Mr. Lewis Brook, Ma'am, wishes to see you.
_Mrs. D._ [angrily]. How? he dares----
_Serv._ I denied you twice, but he insists on seeing you.
_Mrs. D._ Tell him I can have no concern with one who has acted as he
has done. [Exit Servant.
_Augusta._ His very name terrifies me so much.--
Enter LEWIS with the Servant.
_Lewis._ I must speak to her [perceiving Mrs. D. he casts his eyes upon
the ground. Augusta hastily leaves the room].
_Mrs. D._ Frederick, did you deliver my answer to the gentleman?
_Lewis._ He did; but, Madam--pray leave us Frederick--[Exit Servant]. I
beg, Madam----
_Mrs. D._ What do you desire? Have you any demands upon me in
particular? [shrugs her shoulders]. I am unable to pay, for they have
taken every thing from me.
_Lewis._ You think me a villain: you are deceived; let me therefore
explain----
_Mrs. D._ Explain, Sir? This empty room, our misery, my husband in
prison these are explanations sufficient.
_Lewis._ As my presence is so disagreeable to you, I will immediately
retire.--But let me first promise you, that the day I come of age, I
will entirely restore what you have lost. [Lays a paper on the table].
I leave with you this paper, legally drawn up to that effect. Thus I
hope to make reparation for my want of thought, and for the uneasiness
I have caused. [Going.
_Mrs. D._ One moment, Mr. Brook! [She takes the paper and reads it].
You restore all, you say?
_Lewis._ Yes.
_Mrs. D._ Our confidence in mankind, which you have destroyed; our
honour, of which you have robbed us; our credit, which you have
blasted; can you restore these? Can you erase the deep characters of
misery from the heart of an afflicted husband? Can you restore a
wretched daughter, once more in the bloom of health, to her parents
arms? Will you restore all this, with this paper?
_Lewis._ If you accuse me of all this, Madam, you are unjust, and I
must speak.
_Mrs. D._ Speak, Sir.
_Lewis._ What I do, I will freely confess, is not so much for Mr.
Drave as for your and Augusta's sake. His abuse of my property, his
secret plans to undo one brother by the other--that, Madam, that hurts
me.--With respect to what has happened, God be my witness, that I had
not the smallest presentiment of it. I am frail, and I have erred; yet
I hope I now atone for my fault.
_Mrs. D._ This requires an answer. My husband, who placed this sum with
the most respectable house in the city, in order to provide a better
fortune for his prodigal ward--who, unsolicited, in order to secure
this ward from all accidents, gave security to the amount of all he was
worth, and who now makes it good with the loss of all his fortune--he
is an honest man.
_Lewis_ [astonished]. Gave security?
_Mrs. D._ [not attending to him]. A perverted mind may misinterpret his
actions. Kindnesses bestowed on the ungrateful will one day have their
reward.--A man like my Drave can lay his hand on his heart, and look
with hope to the day when he shall appear before his Almighty Judge; he
can, amidst all his losses, despise such a wretched thing as this--[She
tears the paper in two, and drops it on the ground].
_Lewis._ I am astonished. Mr. Drave gave security?
_Mrs. D._ He did.
_Lewis._ That, Madam, was entirely unknown to me.
_Mrs. D._ Henceforth we have nothing to say to each other; but, before
we part, let me remember one thing--You once made a serious application
to me concerning my daughter.
_Lewis._ Pray, Madam----
_Mrs. D._ It is over--an abused mother, a deceived fool more or less,
what does it signify to a man of fashion? The girl may weep; the mother
may be angry--your companions will laugh at such gallantry--why should
you alter your conduct?
_Lewis._ You touch closely there--[hastily]. No, that is too much.
[With intreaty] Madam, for God's sake----
_Mrs. D._ You, Mr. Brook, who never gave us a single hour's comfort,
you have reduced us to misery in a single hour. It hurts not your
feelings, to see your foster parents ruined, undone by the son of her
who was my dearest friend and your mother; by the son of Maria!
_Lewis._ Oh, forbear!
_Mrs. D._ You have feigned love to my daughter, have vowed fidelity to
her: she loves, and must ever love you.--You forsake her now--She
will decline by degrees, and at length sink into her grave, which
perhaps--we must beg for her.
_Lewis._ Oh, cease! cease!
_Mrs. D._ Should you become a husband, a father--then, when you regard
your child as I now do mine, may the remembrance of these moments never
sit heavy on your heart!--Now my last word: I release you from all your
promises--I forgive you. With this wish let us part for ever--God
forgive you, as I do! [Going.
_Lewis_ [detaining her]. Oh, Madam! had not Mr. Drave been so unkind to
me, I should now perhaps have been happy with Augusta!--Yes, yes, I
love her still; and Heaven be my witness----
_Mrs. D._ Do not mistake me; I mean not to awaken compassion for my
daughter. If you arc sincere, restore my husband.
_Lewis._ I here vow----
_Mrs. D._ Then first save your brother, who is persecuted for a noble
action.
_Lewis._ A noble action? Which of his mean attempts can you call by
that title?
_Mrs. D._ [surprised]. What did you say?
_Lewis._ Shall I release him, when he only seeks, my destruction?
_Mrs. D._ He? he seek your destruction?
_Lewis._ His design was to enforce the clause of my father's will: for
this purpose, he went to-day to the Chancellor's; but his scheme
failing, he forgot the mask of virtue which he had assumed, and
exhibited the rage of a disappointed demon.
_Mrs. D._ Who imposed this falsehood upon you?--No! no. He came forward
to defend Drave, threatened to disclose secrets.--They fear him! and
for this reason he was arrested.
_Lewis._ But still his pocket-book contains the proofs of his base
intentions.
_Mrs. D._ Have you seen it?
_Lewis._ No!
_Mrs. D._ And believe so lightly?
_Lewis._ Why, the Chancellor----
_Mrs. D._ Is the person who put your uncle in prison. Lewis, save your
brother, he is innocent.
_Lewis._ Well, they shall shew me the pocket-book; but you will
find----
_Mrs. D._ Go rather to your brother's lodgings; the Counsellor is
there, examining his writings--go immediately--be speedy.
_Lewis._ Well, I will satisfy you. It is not far--Under some pretext I
will bring the Counsellor himself into this very room; then you shall
be witness----
_Mrs. D._ Why?
_Lewis._ If you prefer it, you can go into that room, and over-hear our
conversation: but depend upon it, notwithstanding all outward
appearances, my brother's heart is full of malice. [Exit.
Enter AUGUSTA.
_Mrs. D._ Be not afflicted, my dear Augusta--compose yourself. He
appears to be misled rather than wicked. Yet they have drawn so artful
a snare about him, that I fear it will be difficult to destroy it.
_Augusta._ Will it?
_Mrs. D._ God grant this moment may prove fortunate, and fully convince
him of their villainy!
_Counsellor_ [without]. I can't, upon my honour, I am so busy----
_Lewis_ [without]. Pshaw! don't stand on ceremony.
_Mrs. D._ They are coming, let us be gone.
_Augusta._ Who?
_Mrs. D._ Come, come. [Exeunt.
Enter LEWIS and COUNSELLOR.
_Lewis._ It would be too late afterwards, I assure you.
_Counsellor._ Very singular! Suppose you had not met with me?
_Lewis._ I should have gone in search of you.
_Counsellor_ [going]. Let us rather go to your house.
_Lewis._ As we are now here--
_Counsellor._ But it is very unpleasant to me.--The people will trouble
me with their complaints and lamentations--Besides, I am in haste--my
father waits for me.
_Lewis._ Only a few words. You have instituted a suit against Drave in
my name.
_Counsellor._ Certainly.
_Lewis._ Very well: as soon as I am of age, I shall restore Drave every
thing.
_Counsellor._ God forbid!
_Lewis._ He may then pay by degrees: but--we parted so abruptly to
day--why have you secured my brother?
_Counsellor._ He wished to have you declared a prodigal--protested
against your marriage--and, as your father refused, to listen to him,
flew into a passion with him, and vehemently threatened you.
_Lewis._ But why lock the door?
_Counsellor._ Does not my father know your passionate temper?--He did
it to avoid mischief.
_Lewis._ And why refuse me that pocket-book?
_Counsellor._ Aye, the pocket-book--yes--it was forgotten in this
confusion: you shall have it--it contains the materials on which the
whole project was founded--attestations of your prodigality, of
trifling errors artfully perverted into flagrant vices, and such
things----
_Lewis._ Well, well, let me see them, I will have these proofs of his
hypocrisy printed--come, come----
_Counsellor_ [at a loss]. Yes--but my father will perhaps be gone
out----
_Lewis._ How? you told me before, he waited for you.
_Counsellor._ Besides--they are only copies--the originals----
_Lewis._ No doubt you have those also, as you opened his bureau; shew
me those papers.
_Counsellor._ Don't be so impatient: the originals--they are not
amongst them.
_Lewis._ No?
_Counsellor._ No!
_Lewis_ [coldly]. Let me see; shew me the papers.
_Counsellor._ Why will you see them particularly _now_?
_Lewis_ [earnestly]. Be so good.
_Counsellor._ Who can look over them now? all incoherent
pieces--thoughts--tracts--odes on despotism--addresses to liberty. It
is not worth while.
_Lewis_ [crossing his arms]. It is a very strange refusal.
_Counsellor_ [offended]. Have I deserved such mistrust?
_Lewis._ Your question would inspire it.
_Counsellor._ Well, well. [Unlocks a pocket-book; and, as he takes out
the papers, slips a small packet into his pocket]. Here--there--and
there--that is all--now look at them.
_Lewis_ [looking at the papers]. Yes, yes, all trifles, it is
true--poetical dreams--philosophical nonsense--you may take them.
_Counsellor._ Your behaviour, I must say, offends me much, and I beg to
be spared in future----
_Lewis._ Why, every body would call me a villain, if I proceeded to act
against my own brother without full conviction--therefore [with great
earnestness] give me that other packet.
_Counsellor_ [thunderstruck]. What--which--what packet?
_Lewis._ That which you took from the rest, and put into your pocket.
_Counsellor._ But--why?
_Lewis._ Out with it!
_Counsellor._ I will----
_Lewis._ Out with it, I say. [Counsellor gives the packet; and, while
Lewis is reading it, endeavours to put on an air of indifference.]
_Lewis_ [reading]. "Original documents relating to my design: one copy
is in my red pocketbook, another in possession of Dr. Arends."----Ha!
now we shall soon see clearly.--[Opens the packet and reads]
"Attestation of Dr. Aarbach, in behalf of my uncle."--"At the gates of
eternity, being still sound in mind though weak in body--in order to
relieve my conscience, I declare that I have given wicked and false
evidence in the case of your uncle, seduced thereto by bribes, as the
inclosed original letters will shew. He was thus declared mad, having
never been so, and is treated like a condemned criminal. Pity his
old-age, save him, and forgive me, and pray to God to forgive me, to
whose righteous judgment I look with deep repentance."----Signed
_Aarbach_.
Now for the letters--[opens a paper containing a portrait]. My uncle's
portrait! He was my mother's dearest brother, [takes another paper]
How! Letters in your father's own hand-writing, full of bribes! [Takes
another packet] "Letters of Mr. Verrini at Petersburgh, shewing that
the expences of the corn distributed, amounted to only to 20,000
rix-dollars; and the attestations of the clerks employed, shewing that
38,000 were charged." [Looks at another packet] What is this? "My will,
in case I should die suddenly." [Opens it] "On condition that my
brother Lewis Brook saves and supports my uncle, in case I shall not
have done it, I declare him the sole heir of all my property."
_Lewis_ [after a pause, to the Counsellor]. Look at me.
_Counsellor_ [with coldness, and slowly]. Why?
_Lewis_ [with rising passion]. Do you observe nothing?
_Counsellor._ What? No!
_Lewis._ You have no presentiment?
_Counsellor._ Why?
_Lewis._ Does no secret foreboding tell you, that some, merciful angel
comes to bring back a deluded heart?--You see, observe nothing?
Approach--feel here--feel how my heart beats--repentance, compassion on
my unhappy uncle; and perdition, revenge on you!
_Counsellor._ What? what, Lewis!
_Lewis._ You are discovered, villain; you and your father are lost for
ever.
_Counsellor._ Surely you will not--why?
_Lewis._ From frailties you lead me to faults, from faults to
crimes--now you would lead me to horrors----I am esteemed a sharer in
your villainy; every body despises me: the worst of criminals will
blush at my company.
_Counsellor._ But you have promised----
_Lewis._ Silence! sit down--write to your father: tell him the family
will make some discoveries. I will have him in my power, to prevent his
schemes, and to dictate my will to him.
_Counsellor._ No, never.
_Lewis_ [drawing his sword]. Write, or in one instant thou art a dead
man.
_Counsellor_ [sits down and writes a note. Lewis examines it, and takes
it with the other papers]. I see very well, Sir! but triumph not too
soon.
_Lewis_ [takes his arm and leads him off].--Go on--What farther we have
to say, you may expect----go on. [Exeunt.
Enter MRS. DRAVE and AUGUSTA.
_Mrs. D._ Was ever such malicious treachery heard of? Should Brook
cowardly delay to make use of these proofs, I will develope their
crimes myself. [A gentle knock is heard at the door of the room.]
_Augusta._ What was that?
_Mrs. D._ Nothing--be quiet--our misfortunes cannot increase. [The
knock repeated twice.
_Augusta._ Do you hear?
_Mrs. D._ Is any body there? Come in. [The door opens; an old man with
grey hairs, dressed in an old-fashioned lace suit, much tarnished,
enters, and approaches timidly].
_Mrs. D._ What do you wish, my good friend?
_Old Man_ [shyly]. Madam--pray, does not somebody live here--in this
house----I mean Mr. Drave?
_Mrs. D._ Alas! my good friend!
_Old Man._ He lived here once, I think--does he not live here still?
_Augusta._ Yes.
_Old Man._ Can I speak to him? if you please--
_Mrs. D._ He is--he is--not here.
_Old Man_ [mildly]. But he will come back? [looking at them] or is he
dead? [Tenderly] Oh, if he be dead, he is happy, and I will not
interrupt his peace.
Enter LEWIS hastily, kisses Mrs. DRAVE's hand.
_Lewis._ Too true, Madam, too true.--What had become of me but for your
advice?--You are my good angel, Augusta; you will rather pity than hate
me. [Perceiving the Old Man] What Old man is that?
_Mrs. D._ Somebody in distress, I fear--he wants to see my husband.
_Lewis_ [giving him a purse]. There, my friend, take that.
_Old Man._ I do not want money.
_Lewis_ [hastily]. Well, well, but pray go.
_Old Man._ I want but little, Sir.
_Lewis._ And what? speak! quickly.
_Old Man._ Only a little place under ground, to rest in peace.
_Lewis._ I pity you, good Old man--but pray take it, and go.--We have
not time to hear you [leads him towards the door, and returns]. Madam,
the Counsellor is secured up stairs; the Chancellor is coming----
_Old Man_ [returning slowly.] I will not leave this house again.
_Lewis._ But----
_Old Man._ I cannot walk any farther [sits down]. Let me stay here, my
good Sir. I shall not trouble you long; God will soon release me----
_Lewis._ But tell me, what do you want?
_Old Man_ [looking round]. Good God! yes--I have often been in this
house--once--long ago--but it is long, long since----
_Mrs. D._ Tell me, who are you?
_Old Man._ Yes--I will tell you; for my death is not far off--observe I
am terribly pursued. I was a rich--rich man: I had whole chests full of
plate----lived in a great house. It is long since I wore this dress: it
is in some disorder, I fear.
_Lewis_ [hastily]. Speak! who are you?
_Old Man._ Be not angry, my good Sir. I will tell you every
thing----but do not beat me [Kneels]. I will tell you all----[Augusta
raises him]. Yes, it was in the year----have patience--my head always
aches so, when I try to recollect any thing--but I shall soon do
it--Yes--I was carried away, and imprisoned for many, many years: I was
strictly guarded in a close dark vault. It was for high treason, they
said--It was a favour I was not beheaded.
_Lewis._ Go on, go on.
_Old Man._ I soon learned to bear it. But sometimes when I heard the
sound of music, or of people walking over my head, oh! then I wished to
be in the world again. Often in the cold nights I could not forbear to
weep; but they used to beat me, and so I broke myself of that, and now
I can weep no more.
_Mrs. D._ Poor old man!
_Lewis_ [doubtfully]. Old man, who are you?
_Old Man._ At last, as I grew so old, they watched me more
carelessly.--One night I found my door left unlocked, and went away:
ever since I have been wandering about, and lived by begging alms.
_Lewis._ And your relations?
_Old Man._ Oh, yes, yes, I had relations; but they are dead--their
children confined me, for the sake of my fortune. Yet I saved only
for them--Oh, when I remember that, my eyes grow hot, but I cannot
weep----They are my sister's children.
_Lewis_ [kneeling]. Merciful Heaven!
_Mrs. D._ It is he!
_Augusta._ Who?
_Lewis_ [hastily rising]. My uncle! my uncle! I am Brook; your nephew,
your sister's son; the son of your dear Maria.
_Old Man_ [turning from him]. He will betray me. Oh, speak to him not
to put me into jail again.
_Lewis._ Cease, cease!
_Old Man._ Keep all my property; but for your dear mother's sake, do
not let me be imprisoned again.
_Mrs. D._ He loves you, sincerely loves you.
_Augusta._ What a scene!
_Old Man_ [goodnaturedly]. Will you not shut me up again then?--tell
me--No, I am sure you will not.
_Lewis._ Brother of my revered mother in heaven, can you ask? Do not
you feel it? It is the son of your good Maria who weeps before you.
_Old Man._ Let me look at your face--yes--I believe--I have been away
fifteen years, and cannot recollect every thing--but I believe you are
he----
_Mrs. D._ It is he.
_Old Man._ Is it Philip or Lewis?
_Lewis._ I am Lewis, Lewis the youngest.
_Old Man_ [wiping his eyes]. Come to my arms, Lewis!
_Lewis_ [with emotion]. Oh, did not the weight of my guilt lie so heavy
on me!--Here I vow severe revenge.
_Servant entering._ My Lord the Chancellor is coming up stairs.
_Lewis._ Well, well, I'll to them. Orders to release Drave and my
brother, are my first requests: I shall also strongly urge reparation.
If they refuse--if they even hesitate--woe on the villains! [Exit.
_Old Man._ What does he mean? Where is he going?
_Mrs. D._ Good old man, it is a decisive hour--pray to Heaven to assist
us.
_Old Man._ You are not happy?
_Mrs. D._ No, oh no! [Enter Rose hastily, with a Servant].
_Mr. R._ Madam, I dare not conceal--I heard--Mr. Drave is suddenly
taken ill.
_Mrs. D._ Merciful Heaven! Frederick, our cloaks. [Exit Servant.
_Mr. R._ Can you bear to look at me?
_Mrs. D._ Come, come, we'll go to him--come, Augusta. [Servant brings
cloaks].
_Mr. R._ [whilst Mrs. D. takes her cloak]. But, Madam, it will affect
him too much to see you thus.
_Mrs. D._ [not attending to him, and going, followed by Augusta and
Rose].
_Old Man._ You leave me? Who will have pity on me? who will----
_Mrs. D._ Stay, Augusta, make him comfortable.--Frederick, put him out
of the way.
_Servant._ Where, Madam?
_Mrs. D._ I don't know--any where.
_Servant._ I'll take him to my mother's.
_Mrs. D._ Well, well.--[Old Man led off by Augusta and Frederick--Mrs.
Drave and Rose going off on the opposite side].
_Old Man_ [as he is going]. You leave me; you will betray me; I have
nothing except these grey hairs.
[As Mrs. Drave and Rose are going out at the door,
they meet the Chancellor's Clerk.)
_Clerk._ Stop; where are you going?
_Mr. R._ Where an honest man is sacrificed by villains.
_Clerk._ A few words, Madam, if you please.
_Mrs. D._ Let me go, Sir! do not rob my suffering husband of his only
comfort--let me go.
_Clerk._ You must stop, Madam.
_Mr. R._ By what authority do you dare act thus?
_Clerk._ Do you know me?
_Mr. R._ Too well, too well.
_Clerk._ Then you should know that when I order, it is your part to
submit in silence.
_Mr. R._ You shall not drive her to despair.
_Clerk._ Pray, who are you?
_Mr. R._ One who has been made a beggar by thee and thy master, thou
knave; a formidable beggar.
_Clerk._ Are you mad?
_Mr. R._ So well in my senses, that I should apprehend being confined
under pretence of madness, if I were still rich enough.
_Clerk._ Beware, Sir, how you speak!
_Mr. R._ Do thou beware of thy life.
_Clerk._ That is going too far.
_Mr. R._ Have I not weapons? cannot I fell thee to the earth with this
stick, thou prime agent of villainy?
_Clerk._ I pity you: but remember, I have persons with me, and full
power to check all resistance; therefore take my advice, and go.
_Mr. R._ I will go--but, thou fellow! yes, I wilt go, and if I can only
see Philip---- [Exit.
_Mrs. D._ Oh, Sir! if ever you loved--if ever you trembled for an
unfortunate wife, for a brother, or for a child--then feel my
affliction; be softened, and let me go to my husband.
_Clerk._ Madam, I have orders to examine you, touching a certain point.
The means of discovering truth I have at hand. Sincerity and
submission, will be your best choice.
_Mrs. D._ What must I tell? quickly--I beg.
_Clerk._ If you satisfy me entirely, I promise you shall see Mr. Drave.
_Mrs. D._ But your questions?
_Clerk._ You shall be allowed to remain with him, if you desire it.
_Mrs. D._ Were he in the grave I should desire it. Quick--your
questions.
_Clerk._ Well--who is here in the house?
_Mrs. D._ Here?
_Clerk._ A stranger.
_Mrs. D._ A stranger?
_Clerk._ Of acquaintance rather.
_Mrs. D._ [at a loss]. I think not.
_Clerk_ [harshly]. No evasion, Madam! That he is in the house, I know:
where is he?
_Mrs. D._ Sir!
_Clerk._ Answer! where is he? My attendants can open doors, and
concealment will be dangerous. Where is he?
_Mrs. D._ [sits down]. Up stairs.
_Clerk_ [going]. Alone, or somebody with him?
_Mrs. D._ Mr. Brook and his son are with him.
_Clerk._ His son? what do you mean?
_Mrs. D._ The Counsellor.
_Clerk._ What Counsellor?
_Mrs. D._ Do not torment me so.--Counsellor Fleffel.
_Clerk._ So; My Lord has doubtless come to examine himself. Did he say
any thing?
_Mrs. D._ No!
_Clerk._ Is there no fourth person with him? no old man?
_Mrs. D._ No! yes! Oh, torture me no more!
_Clerk._ I shall examine--do you remain here, Madam. [Exit.
_Mrs. D._ [goes up to the door and calls]. Augusta! Frederick! Augusta!
Enter AUGUSTA and FREDERICK.
_Mrs. D._ What an accident! The Chancellor's clerk is here, in search
of the old man. I misunderstood him, and told him the Chancellor was
here; he is gone up stairs. Frederick, see if the house be free; we
must save the old man. [Exit Serv.
_Augusta._ Have you heard of my father?
_Mrs. D._ No, good God! no!--The old man, how is he? does he sleep?
_Augusta._ So softly, so quietly! Alas! it is long, I fear, since he
has slept so.
_Mrs. D._ Wake him; he must go: wake him. [Exit Augusta.
_Servant entering._ The hall is full of constables; but, I will try to
lead him down the back stairs, and through the warehouse.
_Mrs. D._ Go, quick; lead him away, before the clerk returns.
(Enter Augusta, with the Old Man.)
_Old Man._ You tear me from my sleep; what will you do with me?
(Chancellor and Clerk from behind the Scenes).
_Clerk._ Where? answer, My Lord, where?
_Chancellor._ Here! help! here!
_Mrs. D._ Almighty God, they are discovered!
From behind / _Chancellor._ Break the door open.
the Scenes. \ _Lewis._ Stop! on your life, stop!
(Noise of forcing a door).
_Clerk._ _From behind._ God be praised!
Enter CLERK, a handkerchief round his head,
calling at the door.
_Clerk._ A surgeon! quick!----Villains.
_Chancellor_ [entering hastily, embraces the Clerk]. You are my saving
angel. Thank God.
_Clerk._ My hand is crushed.
_Chancellor._ I'll pay for the cure. [To the Constables who enter] You
are come? [To the Clerk]. Now, my friend--be Brook secured--my coach,
called--the orders of release countermanded--the other Brook and Drave
secured again; [exit Clerk] you--you shall pay----
_Mrs. D._ Have compassion, My Lord!
_Chancellor._ On you? To assault me! to extort orders from me by
violence! Oh, you shall pay for it, I promise you.
(Enter CLERK with some papers).
_Clerk_ [tears the papers to pieces]. There--there are your treacherous
schemes. [Aside to the Chancellor] How happy for me that I got hold of
them! [To Mrs. D.] Now, where is the old man? Out with him!
_Mrs. D._ [with firmness]. Yes! he is here. You shall see him--see him,
if you can bear it. [Exit].
_Chancellor._ Is the old uncle here?
_Clerk._ Yes, I found him out at last.
_Mrs. D._ [entering]. He cannot stir. Go yourself. You may kill him, he
says--but he will not stir.
_Clerk._ Nonsense! [Exit.
Enter Mr. DRAVE.
_Mr. D._ Released!--Released! [is going to embrace Mrs. Drave].
_Mrs. D._ [retiring]. Away! unhappy man--go away!
_Mr. D._ [perceiving the Chancellor]. You here?
_Chancellor._ Yes, fortunately.
_Mrs. D._ [embracing Drave.] Now, now, you may kill us--separate us you
cannot--never--
_Mr. D._ Who shall dare that?
_Chancellor._ The jail.
_Mr. D._ What? am I not released by your warrant?
_Chancellor._ By an extorted warrant. You would bring me to contempt
and shame; but I will have ample revenge.
(Servant endeavouring to hold the Old Man, while
the Clerk tries to tear him away from him).
_Clerk._ Villain! let him go!
_Mr. D._ Merciful God! the old Gronau!
_Old Man._ Drave, it is your voice--help, save me!
_Chancellor._ Off with him!
_Mr. D._ Look, at him; he is almost expiring. Rob him of his money, but
let his soul depart in peace.
_Clerk._ Silence!
_Mr. D._ Cease, torturer! He is a dying man--In one hour, perhaps, his
soul will be in Heaven, accusing thee of murder----cease!
_Chancellor._ Here! Constables!
_Mr. D._ My last strength for his grey hairs.
(CLERK going, meets PHILIP BROOK.)
_Philip_ [joyfully]. Drave, we are saved, we are saved!
_Mr. D._ Is it true?
_Philip._ It is! it is.
_Chancellor._ What mean you, Sir?
_Philip_ [seeing the Old Man]. My uncle? kind Heaven, I thank thee!
_Old Man._ Who is it?
_Mr. D._ Philip! your nephew Philip.
_Philip_ [turning to the Chancellor]. Look as him--at this face--those
grey hairs--those hands which you put in fetters: fifteen years of his
life, of liberty, thou hast stolen from him.
_Chancellor_ [laughs].
_Philip._ Feign tranquillity--cover thy horror with hypocrisy: this
scene thou canst not bear. Look--look here, at the marks of the chains
upon these hands--here I place him before thee: so will he stand before
thee in Heaven, with all those whom thou hast wronged and undone; then
before the Almighty Judge will he say, "Thou hast given thy soul to
eternal perdition, for the love of gain."
_Chancellor_ [in a fury]. Off with this fellow!
Clerk going to take hold of him.
_Philip._ Stop! [gives the Clerk a paper, which he overlooks, and hands
to the Chancellor]. Read that--[To the company] From my prison I wrote
to our excellent Minister--being released by his warrant, and hearing
from Rose what passed here, I hastened to my noble protector, who gave
me an order by which all farther proceedings here are stopped, and that
wretch is suspended from all his employments, till the justice of his
country shall have decided on the punishment so long due to his
unparalleled crimes. Oh, my good uncle, my dear Drave, we are now safe.
(The Clerk makes off unperceived. The Chancellor starts at the paper,
and continues to read it, as if he would never have done).
_Philip._ You know the hand writing?
_Chancellor_ [folds up the paper with a forced laugh].
_Philip._ Laugh thyself to convulsions, if thou canst.
_Chancellor._ Take care, Sir! take care! [Going.
_Philip_ [stopping him]. I must look thee in the face once more. Thou
art a distinguished villain--Thou hast raised thyself by complicated
knavery, from the dust, to exalted power. Thy soul was the price, and
thou hast paid it.--Under the mask of religion thou hast been the
scourge of many a noble and honest heart.--Now, behold me!--Without
blood, without intrigue, armed only with a just cause, I have levelled
thee with thy original dust. Go; and if thou seriously believest in a
strict trial to come--repent, repent, before the gates of Eternity
close upon thy dark spirit for ever. [Exit Chancellor in manifest
confusion.
_Rose._ Then it is true!
_Philip._ Our Minister has observed him with attention; he has long
suspected--I have given the blow--his fall is inevitable.
_Lewis_ [enters hastily, and embraces Philip]. Oh, my dear brother!
_Philip._ My dear Lewis!
_Rose_ [tenderly]. Would you not have it so? Drave?
_Drave._ Yes, yes.
_Lewis._ I am sensible of my faults, and exerted all my efforts to
repair the mischief I had occasioned: but my brother alone was worthy,
by his virtues, to restore the happiness I had destroyed. Oh, Drave, my
father, much-injured father! my mother--Augusta, my Augusta, can you
forgive? Can repentance----
_Philip._ Drave, he is my brother, and his heart is good.
_Lewis._ Oh, forgive--deny me not this----Augusta, my tutelary angel.
_Drave_ [taking Augusta's hand]. Lewis, I believe your repentance
sincere. Yet, dear as my daughter is, you will not wonder that I should
refuse to resign her to you, till I shall see reason to be satisfied
that you are entirely reformed. I confess, however, that I do not feel
disposed to put your patience to a very long trial. Those downcast
eyes, and this trembling hand, convince me that my decision will be
approved. Take it then, Lewis, [giving him Augusta's hand] and live
with the hope, I might say the certainty, that I shall shortly bestow
it on you for ever.
_Lewis._ Oh, my father! it is more than I deserved, or could have dared
to hope--never will I give you cause to repent of your confidence.
_Drave_ [leading Augusta to Rose]. Rose, I give you a daughter, who
shall console you in your old-age! [To the old man] Good old father,
here are your children again.
(PHILIP and LEWIS embrace their uncle.)
_Old Man._ God's blessings be upon you, my children! Children of
my dear Maria in Heaven--support me in your arms, which broke my
chains--In them I will expire, with prayers for your happiness, with
blessings on thee, Philip, my supporter and guardian angel.
F I N I S