Chapter 22

Enter SOPHIA.

_Soph._ You have ordered--

_Reiss._ I congratulate you, my dear daughter, on your approaching nuptials with the Privy Counsellor. The suit is won; the bequest is confirmed; the money is mine; _Victoria_!

_Soph._ (coldly.) So?

_Reiss._ Yes, truly! Well, what does my dear child say?

_Soph._ You have carried off the prize.

_Reiss._ Yes! that is what I have just said.

_Soph._ Then you have attained your wish.

_Reiss._ Attained your wish! Is that a reply, when 10,000 pounds have fallen to my lot? Is that the behaviour of a daughter to her father on so happy an occasion.

_Soph._ Dear father, will not you permit me to reflect a little on those that have lost that immense sum.

_Reiss._ They are entire strangers to us both, no way related to us.

_Soph._ The legacy was left by a stranger too.

_Reiss._ And now it is mine; and if thou wilt not rejoice with me--

_Soph._ Excuse me, I cannot.

_Reiss._ Then I will call in persons from the street, that they may share my pleasure. (Pauses.) Speak, unnatural child, and rejoice!

_Soph._ I am silent, I do not wish to offend you, I love you with all the tenderness of a dutiful child.

_Reiss._ Would I had a son that knew how to place a due value on this, to enjoy it, to double it, then it would be worth while! But now, when I wish to enjoy the result of all my plans, and the successes I have met with in all my life, I have your sentimental feelings to encounter; and then I would rather relate my happiness to one of the ever-green pyramids in the garden than to you.

_Soph._ O heaven!

_Reiss._ And who is to reap the benefit but you, and you only? When I am gone, you may settle annuities upon all the beggars of the country, travel through the rugged mountains, waste my dear wealth in cottages, and scatter hard dollars like pebbles.

_Soph._ Give me but a sufficient allowance, restore the remainder to Brunnig's children, and I will thank you on my knees.

_Reiss._ Indeed! Aye, if I were to give you the money and the bond, to divide among those brats, it would make a nice anecdote in the newspapers. Zounds! I am apt to think, that, when you come to the possession of all my property, you will scarce do so much as to erect a small monument to the memory of your father.

_Soph._ Alas! Brunnig's children would form the fittest groupe of weeping orphans around such a monument.

_Reiss._ Ungrateful wretch! is this the return for my parental affection? Was it not through the view of gaining this legacy that I raised a deputy to the rank of a privy counsellor? Who is my wealth to devolve to but you and him?