The Nephews: A Play, in Five Acts. Part 20

_Mrs. D._ Then first save your brother, who is persecuted for a n.o.ble action.

_Lewis._ A n.o.ble action? Which of his mean attempts can you call by that t.i.tle?

_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 a.s.sumed, 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._ G.o.d 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 a.s.sure 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 inst.i.tuted 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._ G.o.d 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 pa.s.sion with him, and vehemently threatened you.

_Lewis._ But why lock the door?

_Counsellor._ Does not my father know your pa.s.sionate 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.