The Lawyers, A Drama in Five Acts Part 6

_Lew._ And Counsellor Wellenberg--

_P. Coun._ The day after to-morrow, at two o'clock.

_Lew._ Then there is old Schwartz--

_P. Coun._ I cannot be troubled with him now. [Exit Lewis.

_Reiss._ Always plagued, always tormented.--

_P. Coun._ Oh! there is no end of it!

_Reiss._ Why! But wealth and honours are very welcome things too. But chiefly mind wealth; wealth is the word. High stations are exposed to storms, like lofty trees in a forest. But, if you have wealth, then come what will. A trunk filled with good bonds is soon packed up. The rest of your moveables may be left to the commissaries, just as you would throw a few bones to the dogs; then retire and go. I am your servant. (Going.) [Privy Counsellor attends him to the door.

_Reiss._ No ceremony; the morning-hour yields a hundred per cent.

[Exit.

SCENE II.

PRIVY COUNSELLOR, LEWIS, MASTER CLARENBACH.

_Lew._ I will first see.

_Clar._ Why, I heard my son's voice!--

_P. Coun._ Ah! is it my father?--

_Clar._ Yes! (reaches him his hand.) G.o.d bless you, Jack!

_P. Coun._ (to Lewis.) Leave us to ourselves. [Lewis exit.

_Clar._ Halloo!--I say, Monsieur, stop a little, stay a little!--I mean to speak ill of you.

_Lew._ So?

_P. Coun._ How so?

_Clar._ Only think, dear Jack, all the people you have refused to see, this fellow has been snarling at. (To Lewis.) You must know those people in the hall are all as good as myself, and my son has been what I am, and in short we are all--men. Whilst the people know that my son has not forgot that his rank and t.i.tles are pure gold, they will pa.s.s at the highest course of exchange; but, as soon as they discover he has forgot what he has been, then his rank and t.i.tles will appear counterfeit. (To the Privy Counsellor.) They are all in the hall yet, except the old lawyer, who has business elsewhere; I have told them Monsieur Lewis had behaved very unmannerly, that I would let you know, and that you would come out to them.

_P. Coun._ But--

_Clar._ And that you may remain in currency and value, be so good, Jack, and go to them. [Privy Coun. after a pause, leaves the room.

SCENE III.

MASTER CLARENBACH, LEWIS.

_Lew._ I do not understand Master Clarenbach's behaviour to me.

_Clar._ I dare say you do not. But, do you see, I think you ought to mend, or my son ought to send you about your business. To hear people, to say either yes or no, is the least my son can do. If you should attempt to hinder him from doing so, you are a rogue.

_Lew._ There is such constant intrusion.

_Clar._ Hem! and a great deal of distress too, and-- [Exit Lewis.

SCENE IV.

Enter PRIVY COUNSELLOR.

_P. Coun._ Well, what should it be? Pet.i.tions, memorials, poverty, and faint hopes of relief.

_Clar._ Why, if you cannot relieve, mercy on us!

_P. Coun._ They are repeated so often, and I have so much business--

_Clar._ Now that you have been made a Privy Counsellor, I fear it will still be worse! Well, heaven grant you health, and may you act as you ought, and all may be well yet.

_P. Coun._ Why, father, did you return the money I sent?--

_Clar._ Because, thank G.o.d! I do not want it. What is the use of having more than is necessary, to supply the wants of life?--I think you have more.

_P. Coun._ There is no great harm in that.

_Clar._ But I think there is! People will have strange ideas, and do strange things, when they have too much. If I must tell you my mind, son, I am not altogether pleased to see you raised so high of a sudden, Our plain citizens are not altogether satisfied with you and your elevation. They think the other gentlemen shove you near the fire to get the roasted chesnuts out of the coals for themselves, and that you are a good cat's paw. Such, for instance, is that bequest to old Counsellor Reissman.

_P. Coun._ Pray, tell me, father, what induces you to oppose that will, which is legal, though I must own it bears hard on the children.

_Clar._ Jack, you know your father long, though for some time since you have made a stranger of yourself.--What would you think of me, if I had not commenced the suit?

_P. Coun._ The claim rests on a will.

_Clar._ Which has been obtained, by the old Counsellor, by undue influence; is not that your opinion?

_P. Coun._ Can that be proved?--

_Clar._ We must see--

_P. Coun._ If you cannot prove it, the Counsellor will recover.

_Clar._ He certainly will, and therefore you must a.s.sist me to combat him.

_P. Coun._ Who, I? How came you to think so? Well, we will leave the cause to take its due course, and so should you.--

_Clar._ Ay, ay, Jack.