The Lawyers, A Drama in Five Acts Part 21

_Reiss._ I want to have a little conversation in a fair way.

_Well._ Propose fair things, and our conversation shall be fair. I will listen.

_Reiss._ Well, Doctor Kannenfeld is no more.

_Well._ It has pleased the Disposer of all Events to call him.

_Reiss._ Very fortunately for him! That slanderer, I would--

_Well._ Not so. Slanderer, not so,--a true penitent, a sinner, and of course one that has found mercy in the Divine Presence. He is dead as to his earthly frame, but the tears of repentance which he so often shed on my breast, I trust, will raise up fruits of joy and consolation in it: With respect to you, he is not dead as long as I live. To the point then;--in the name of heaven, what do you want?

_Reiss._ To offer a few propositions.

_Well._ Let us hear them.

_Reiss._ Sit down here, if you please.--(Wellenberg sits down at the table.)--Our good ancient German ancestors used always to drink a gla.s.s when they sat down on some good purpose, or when they had a mind to lay down some good rules for their descendents. (Fills a gla.s.s.)

_Well._ Ay, if there were any such good purposes in the present case, I would have no objection.

_Reiss._ Drink to a good intention, (raising the gla.s.s,) dear Mr.

Wellenberg.

_Well._ When the good shall be atchieved, we will take a little wine; a very little, as an offering to grat.i.tude.

_Reiss._ Wine cheers the heart of man.

_Well._ Good actions will cheer it much better. Come, _ad rem_.

_Reiss._ I am now possessed of the legacy,--you see. (drinks.) Your health.

_Well._ To your amendment.

_Reiss._ Very well, I thank you. (Reaches him a gla.s.s.)

_Well._ (takes a sip.) In the name of goodness.--

_Reiss._ I have resolved to do something for all that for the children, for whom I am very sorry.

_Well._ Something handsome. You must do every thing for the sake of the children and your own soul.

_Reiss._ What do you mean by that?

_Well._ You must give up the whole.

_Reiss._ You are not in earnest?

_Well._ Do you never expect to be called to an account for your actions in this world?

_Reiss._ The doctor's insanity has infected you.

_Well._ But the solemn oath, which I mean to have administered to you in a public court of justice, will open doors that you little expect.

_Reiss._ I can take it! the--(Wellenberg rises.)--Where are you going?

_Well._ Away! for--for--I am seized with a tremor at the mere idea that an oath does not shake your frame to its centre. What, will you stretch out your hand against the judgments of G.o.d? Methinks I see the very sparks of h.e.l.l before my eyes; methinks I see an infernal fiend between you and me, writhing, hissing, and sneering; methinks I see him anxious to seize on your poor soul, as his prey for ever. I am ill; do good for once, and permit me to go home and throw myself on my bed. (Going.)

_Reiss._ Stay.

_Well._ I cannot.

_Reiss._ But, as the advocate of the children, you ought to hear my proposition.

_Well._ Then propose, briefly and fairly.

_Reiss._ Sit down.

_Well._ I must sit down; for the idea of your perjury has enfeebled me so, that I cannot move. (Sits down.) Propose to the honour of your Creator and the salvation of your soul, that I may recover my strength.

_Reiss._ Not as an obligation, but, through mere motives of pity and christian charity, I will give the children half of the legacy. What do you say to that?

_Well._ Half a virtue is no virtue at all; yet it is better than vice.

_Reiss._ Well?

_Well._ The fiend may yet lose his hold.

_Reiss._ Drink a gla.s.s.

_Well._ I almost stand in want of it, for I do not feel well on your account. (Drinks off the gla.s.s of wine.)

_Reiss._ What am I about! I have, in the warmth of conversation, left the bottle uncorked, and the spirit of the liquor, intended to honour you, will evaporate. No matter; (takes the bottle to himself, and subst.i.tutes the other, out of which he immediately fills him a gla.s.s,) here is fresh wine.

_Well._ (puts down the gla.s.s.) I will drink no more.

_Reiss._ But, when we have done and agreed, in token of reconciliation--

_Well._ My first and last words are, give up the whole of the bequest, or take the oath!

_Reiss._ Ay! what is all that!--(Fills a gla.s.s for himself out of the bottle which he had removed from Wellenberg's side.) A gla.s.s of wine will warm you. Come, touch here! (Offers to touch gla.s.ses with him.)

_Well._ No! the inclinations which wine inspires are false. Good inclinations ought to come from the heart instead of the bottle.

_Reiss._ Shall I tell you what carries me so far? It is your honest character, and my respect for you; and, as my daughter is a good-for-nothing hussy, I will, in the name of G.o.d, provided they let me alone while I live, I will, after my death, bequeath the remainder of the bequest to the children by a formal testament, which I wish you to draw up immediately. That is, upon my word, more than fair! Come, touch gla.s.ses upon that, and then we have done. (Touches gla.s.ses with him, and drinks it off.)

_Well._ (touches gla.s.ses, but does not drink.) That is something.

_Reiss._ Is it not! (Fills his own gla.s.s.) Well, then, on with it!

_Well._ (holds up his gla.s.s, but does not drink.) The good spirit begins to move you; and I begin to feel better in your company.