The Lawyers, A Drama in Five Acts Part 16

_Reiss._ Pray, were not you to marry his sister?

_Sell._ No, no! yet, in the state of subjection he kept me, he might at last have brought me to it. He would, as he calls it, correct my writings, and then he would, by way of making it up, sometimes nod his head by way of approbation.

_Reiss._ As I see that the fellow does not deserve what I have done for him, all shall be altered in future: attach yourself to me.

_Sell._ Good G.o.d! I will with both my hands.

_Reiss._ I will make out the draft for the declaration, in which you are to charge him with having taken a bribe, and also for having constantly forced you to vote as he pleased in the court. I will carry my point; the Prime Minister shall be informed of the whole. Go hence, and I will send you every thing.

_Sell._ I shall be very glad to get rid of him; but you will a.s.sist me occasionally to propose a law too? will you not?

_Reiss._ By way of practising? oh yes!

_Sell._ No, a real law, according to which the people are to act, be it ever so trifling,--only that the world may know, that I can frame a law as well as another. I only want it for the sake of the world, and the consequence it will give me. [Exit.

_Reiss._ A shallow, shallow, ignorant boy!--but then he may be of use to me.

SCENE V.

Enter Privy Counsellor CLARENBACH.

_P. Coun._ I have to explain to you, Sir.

_Reiss._ Just as you like, Sir.

_P. Coun._ I cannot remain the man, that, G.o.d knows how,--I have gradually--

_Reiss._ I think so myself.

_P. Coun._ I can be dependent on you no longer; but I do not choose to be ungrateful. Without enquiring into the motives which induced you to raise me, I owe you my grateful thanks for having done so.

_Reiss._ I am hourly more and more convinced that I ought to have done so.

_P. Coun._ This sarcastic remark shall not prevent me, as your intended son-in-law, to render you my services from the purest motives and filial zeal, and to endeavour to compromise that disagreeable affair respecting the will.

_Reiss._ Ay! would you indeed?

_P. Coun._ If we only consider it as politically pernicious, it--

_Reiss._ There is nothing pernicious in the whole affair, my affectionate Mr. Privy Counsellor, and your services are quite useless.

_P. Coun._ I wish they may prove so. Meanwhile you will not misinterpret my intentions.

_Reiss._ Your intentions go to the future inheritance of my property, my son-in-law that would be.--

_P. Coun._ Your daughter,--without any inheritance whatever--

_Reiss._ With or without inheritance, that is all over; you shall not have her.

_P. Coun._ You may disinherit her, if you please, should I receive her hand against your will; but your daughter is mine according to your promise, and you can shew no cause for breaking it.

_Reiss._ (coldly.) Oh yes!

_P. Coun._ What? which?

_Reiss._ Some other time.

_P. Coun._ When? I desire to know it. I desire it, I tell you.

_Reiss._ You shall soon know it if you are in such a hurry.--I am now busy.

_P. Coun._ Sir, if Sophia were not your daughter--

_Reiss._ Ah, that is the thing. Go, your papa is waiting for you:--if you stay, he will come and take you away.

_P. Coun._ Sir!

_Reiss._ And come to save you too. Has not he saved you once already this very day?--

_P. Coun._ Yes, he has that, honest man! May heaven reward him for it!

_Reiss._ He may perhaps save you once more yet, and perhaps not.--Meanwhile, give yourself no farther trouble to call here. Your servant, Sir.

_P. Coun._ (looks at his watch.) You distress me more than you know. If that can give you pleasure, enjoy it. [Exit.

_Reiss._ (looking after him.) Hem! I ought to have discovered at first sight that the fellow is not fit for my purpose; he is simple enough to be in love in right earnest.--My foolish daughter loves him too; she fans his hopes, so of course he will not injure me, when cas.h.i.+ered. The Doctor is falling asleep, and the Lawyer,---hem!--must likewise be sent to rest,--else I shall have no rest myself! [Exit.

SCENE VI.

Master Clarenbach's house.

Master CLARENBACH, FREDERICA, and GERNAU, busy with bringing in the furniture seen in the first Act.

_Clar._ Courage, my dear children! about it! Thank G.o.d, we have got rid of that fas.h.i.+onable trumpery. Set the table again there in its place.-- So!---how glad I am to behold my old friends again!

_Fred._ We shall have a comfortable repast on that table to night.

_Clar._ As Jack is to be one of the party, O yes!

_Gern._ I hope his change is right earnest; but I can scarcely believe it.

_Clar._ No reflections, dear Gernau! What is past ought to be forgotten.

_Gern._ But I must remove hence for all that.

_Clar._ Why, perhaps not. Jack will now employ his power to some good purpose.