The Nephews: A Play, in Five Acts. Part 15

[Serv. enters]. Sir!

_Counsellor._ Send in the porter. [Exit Servant. Counsellor looking at the papers]. That will do very well. As Brook stands plaintiff, all the odium will fall upon him; we only give him what the law prescribes.

[Enter Porter.] Take that immediately to the Commissioners--say, I shall have the honour of waiting on them myself towards evening.

[Porter going] I request them to be expeditious. [Exit Porter]. Well, well, Mr. Drave, I think you will learn better manners, and take care how you forbid people your house again.

Enter LEWIS BROOK.

_Counsellor._ Where, in the name of fortune, have you been raking all this time? Your affair with Drave is in great forwardness.

_Lewis._ So? Already?

_Counsellor._ Certainly--'Tis singular enough, that you should live next door to him, and know nothing of the matter.

_Lewis._ Yes; but I seldom come home. I was with Paulino. We had such excellent wine, and such a pleasant party!

_Counsellor._ Very well; but for the present you must let your excellent wine and agreeable parties alone, and keep out of the way, to avoid troublesome questions or entreaties. Now attend to me.

_Lewis._ Must I absolutely hear?

_Counsellor._ Yes, yes,

_Lewis._ From agreeable company, to your tiresome law-suits, I hate it.

_Counsellor._ Drave hinted an intention of making a declaration.

_Lewis_ [stretching in his chair and yawning]. Well; to what effect?

_Counsellor._ That he could not pay instantly--by degrees only; and asked for delay.

_Lewis_ [as before]. Go on, go on.

_Counsellor._ You understand. Your claims must be enforced; seals therefore were put on.

_Lewis_ [hastily rising]. How? what do you say? Seals put on? No, I disapprove that!

_Counsellor._ Why? it was unavoidable! quite so, I a.s.sure you.

_Lewis_ [with warmth]. But he will be entirely ruined.

_Counsellor_ [smiling]. Oh, no, depend upon it. They have made pretty good use of your property at Rose's--They have embezzled enough--every body knows it, and we have proofs.

_Lewis._ Then, indeed, a slight correction will not hurt this prating moralist.

_Counsellor._ By this means too, I hope to pave the way for my love to Augusta.

_Lewis._ How so?

_Counsellor._ Why, what will she do now? Reduced to poverty, she must thank me for my protection. I will procure her a situation with my aunt at Bonn.

_Lewis._ For shame!

_Counsellor._ Why so? she is clever--understands music--Depend upon it she will be comfortable. She shall keep the old lady company, and read or sing to her.

_Lewis._ What a mean fellow you are!

_Counsellor._ Is not that better than an abandoned life?

_Lewis._ How? Could I ever drive her to that?

_Counsellor._ You are like a baby; if you have not playthings, you cry.

_Lewis._ But dam'me, 'tis downright baseness!

_Counsellor_ [laughing]. Fantastical nonsense! Things have different sides: that which in common life, you call honesty, is bungler's work in politics.

_Lewis_ [looking sharply at him]. So!

_Counsellor._ Apropos--the accounts of Drave's guardians.h.i.+p are brought; there we shall discover his impositions.

_Lewis._ I don't mind him; but Augusta, and her mother----No, that shall not be.

Enter the Chancellor's Clerk.

_Clerk._ Gentlemen, there is a person waiting for My Lord; guess who?

_Lewis._ I don't care.

_Clerk._ One I should never have expected to see here.

_Counsellor._ Who is it?

_Clerk_ [to Lewis]. Your brother.

_Lewis._ My brother?

_Counsellor._ G.o.d bless me! Mr. Philip.

_Clerk_ [to the Counsellor]. Will you ask My Lord, if agreeable--

_Counsellor._ Yes, yes, immediately [going]. Astonis.h.i.+ng! Mr. Philip here! [Exit.

_Lewis._ My brother? here! in this house? It is strange.

_Clerk._ So I think: my curiosity is raised. I never spoke to him.

_Counsellor_ [returning]. Very happy to see him.

_Clerk_ [rings the bell. To a servant who enters] Bid the gentleman walk up.