Chapter 7

A Room at the Chancellor's.

Counsellor entering with papers in his hand.

John!

[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 assure 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 guardianship 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._ God bless me! Mr. Philip.

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

_Counsellor._ Yes, yes, immediately [going]. Astonishing! 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.

_Lewis._ I'll go. I have nothing to do with him.

_Counsellor._ Well; go awhile to my father. Do you, Mr. Worms, keep him company till my father comes.--He conceives that he is come to intercede. We must try to gain a little time.

_Clerk._ Very well; I long to get acquainted with him----

_Counsellor._ Hush! he is coming. [Exit with Lewis.--Clerk steps aside].

(Enter Servant, followed by PHILIP.)

_Serv._ Be so good as to wait here a few minutes; My Lord will come directly. [Exit.

_Philip_ [not observing the Clerk]. Now I am here.----At length--Oh, my heart----

_Clerk._ Sir!

_Philip_ [turning hastily]. Hah! I beg your pardon; I did not know----

_Clerk._ My Lord is very sorry that indispensable business obliges him to detain you for a few moments, but he will hasten to have the honour----

_Philip_ [walking up and down]. Very well.

_Clerk._ I am very happy that chance thus gives me an opportunity of commencing an acquaintance with you.

_Philip._ You cannot tell how long this business may last; it grows late, and I am in haste.

_Clerk._ Not long, I dare say---Be seated, Mr. Brook. [Both sit down]. Indeed the future alliance of My Lord's family and yours----

_Philip._ By what means?

_Clerk._ By the marriage of Miss Fleffel with your brother.

_Philip_ [surprised]. So! [Politely) I did not know it before [looks at his watch].

_Clerk._ It will afford My Lord great satisfaction, as the honour of your company----

_Philip._ It grows very late; must I wait long?

_Clerk._ No, Sir! but [pointing to the chair], be so kind----

_Philip._ Pardon me, I cannot sit--[aside] my blood, my blood----

_Clerk._ Are you indisposed?

_Philip._ Yes--but you think he will come soon?

Clerk [offended]. Mr. Brook dislikes my company!

_Philip._ Company in general. [Pointing to a door, and going up to it] Is that the room?

_Clerk._ Give me leave, Sir: I will inform My Lord of your haste. [Exit.

_Philip._ Oh, patience, patience! good heaven! in this very room--here--here have I supplicated for my uncle; here have I wept, gone on my knees, to obtain his liberty. My tears were derided, I was driven away.--Then I was but a child--now I am a man; outraged humanity calls upon me. At this very moment, perhaps, my uncle is suffering the extremities of hunger, of misery and despair.--Gracious Heaven, grant me a composed mind!

_Clerk entering._ My Lord will immediately do himself the honour-- please to be seated, Sir.

_Philip._ I am not fit for conversation: I will walk into the gallery--you will call me. [Exit.

_Clerk._ A very strange man this!

_Counsellor enters._ Is he gone?

_Clerk._ No, he waits in the gallery.

_Counsellor._ Go to my father, he wants you--I will see after him.

Enter COUNSELLOR and PHILIP.

_Counsellor._ Forgive me, dear Sir--but you know----

_Philip._ May I hope to speak to My Lord now?

_Counsellor._ Immediately--business, you know, sometimes occurs----

_Philip_ [going up to the Chancellor's room door]. My Lord is there, I presume.

_Chancellor entering._ Your most obedient, Mr. Brook--Chairs, my son----an unexpected honour indeed!

_Philip._ My Lord, I wish to speak to you in private.

_Chancellor._ Most willingly. [Looks significantly at his son--exit Counsellor]. What can I do for you?

_Philip._ My Lord, I ask your assistance to save an honest man from ruin.

_Chancellor._ What assistance? for whom? speak, my dear Sir!

_Philip._ Mr. Drave is the person I mean--whatever you may do for him, I shall consider as a favour----

_Chancellor._ So, so! Mr. Drave the merchant--But you speak of ruin--why so?

_Philip._ Of ruin, into which the literal application of the law will plunge him, if his well-known integrity, and ability to pay gradually, be not attended to.

_Chancellor._ The law, my dear Sir, must take its course.

_Philip._ Certainly; but remember, it dictates equity.

_Chancellor._ You are a noble young man, of the best intentions: [takes his hand] I am rejoiced at this opportunity of contracting an acquaintance with you.

_Philip._ May I hope for Mr. Drave?

_Chancellor._ Give me leave to say, in this case, the unaccountable disposal of your brother's property, without any authority, cannot be overlooked.

_Philip._ Mr. Rose was the richest merchant in the city.

_Chancellor._ Yet he has failed.

_Philip._ Drave has given security.

_Chancellor._ Very true; and his property is seized, that your brother may not lose.

_Philip._ But why is he confined?

_Chancellor._ Not for that; but to prevent farther trouble from his violence.

_Philip._ But there is no plaintiff.

_Chancellor._ Undoubtedly there is.

_Philip._ Who?

_Chancellor._ Your brother.

_Philip._ No! impossible!

_Chancellor._ 'Tis however true.

_Philip._ Very well; but notwithstanding, all farther proceedings must cease. Drave is free [rises and puts his chair aside].

_Chancellor_ [does the same]. How so? free?

_Philip._ I give bail.

_Chancellor._ Very noble, very christian-like indeed!--but it will not do.

_Philip._ Why not?

_Chancellor._ You are not of age.

_Philip_ [astonished]. But you rob him of every thing; credit, honour, fortune----

_Chancellor._ He may always recover himself.

_Philip._ Drive him, his wife and daughter, to despair!

_Chancellor._ Good God! I am very sorry; but what can I do?

_Philip._ Then you are determined, my Lord, to proceed your own way.

_Chancellor._ It is the law.

_Philip._ To ruin Mr. Drave?

_Chancellor._ No, not that.

_Philip._ It is downright injustice.

_Chancellor_ [angrily]. Injustice! [composing himself] Young man, young man!

_Philip._ I wish to give you warning----

_Chancellor._ I thank you!

_Philip._ While it is still time.

_Chancellor_ [laughing]. So? and when will it not be time?

_Philip_ [looking at his watch]. In half an hour; no more. [Chancellor laughs].

_Philip._ Rouse me not; for your own sake, rouse me not.

(Augusta rushes into the Room, and throws herself on her knees before the Chancellor).

_Augusta._ Spare my father! for pity's sake, spare my father!

_Philip_ [raising her]. What are you doing?

_Chancellor._ What is your request?

_Augusta_ [hastily rising]. Give me back my father.

_Philip._ Compose yourself, Augusta.

_Augusta._ We will depart immediately; yes, yes, I promise you we will depart; I know you cannot bear our presence; but give me my father.

_Chancellor._ Why did he strike a magistrate?

_Philip._ I was witness to the impropriety of this magistrate's conduct. Drave had great reason to be provoked.

_Augusta._ Forgive, forgive--Destroy my happiness, my hopes--only my father----

_Philip._ Look at her; behold the anguish of death on her countenance; look at her, and speak.

_Chancellor._ Mr. Brook, do not interfere where you have no concern.

_Philip._ No concern! I love her. Her father is my guardian. I speak as a son, and warn you that your cruelty and chicanery----

_Chancellor._ And I, young man, warn _you_ that this language----

_Philip._ You shall hear the language of outraged humanity. Suffering innocence calls for a defender; he lives, and possesses both strength and courage.

_Chancellor_ [contemptuously]. And who may this defender be?

_Philip._ I! [Chancellor laughs.] Answer now. Will you persist?

_Chancellor._ Must I answer?

_Philip._ Yes, you shall.

_Chancellor._ Then good bye, Mr. Brook: go home, and wait for the rest. In the mean time try to recollect yourself a little.

_Philip_ [going]. Well then--

_Augusta_ [withholding Philip.] Stay, for God's sake, stay!

_Philip_ [turning back]. Believe me, My Lord, I am not acting the Don Quixote. Once more, in the name of justice, for the sake of your conscience, and of the serious trial to which you will one day be inevitably brought, are you resolved to persist?

_Chancellor_ [in anger]. I am.

_Philip._ I have it in my power to act against you: I shall be a formidable enemy. [Pause] Will you persist? Yes, or no?

_Chancellor_ [in a fury]. Yes, yes.

_Philip._ The hour of revenge is come; I feel it through all my veins, and I begin----

_Chancellor_ [as before]. Do it, do it----

_Philip._ I shake the building to its foundation. You or I must be crushed beneath the ruins: you exposed to universal hatred and contempt, or I punished as a calumniator.

_Chancellor._ It shall be your fate.

_Philip._ Then be it so! The die is cast. The cause of justice animates me; and the remembrance of my uncle's sufferings, gives me redoubled energy.--I--you may know it--I was the man who excited and supported the honest clerk.

_Chancellor._ You were? [rings a bell].

_Philip._ He was overpowered. Your crimes were not then ripe: now they are.----In silence I have collected proofs of your treachery, of your cruelty to my uncle, whom you confined for pretended insanity: answer that.

Enter Servant.--CHANCELLOR speaks to him.

_Augusta._ Oh, Brook, Brook! what are you doing? I beg you----

_Philip._ Let me proceed. He may contrive----I have full conviction of his crimes, and will lay them open to our Prince.

_Chancellor._ Go, go, frantic fool! try what your mad dreams can effect there.

_Philip._ I will. Our Prince is benevolent and just. What is your support in your crimes? The chain of ceremony?--I break it [Chancellor laughs] I break it: my despair will give me strength--and--before sun-set--woe on thee, and thy house! [Exit hastily with Augusta].

[Chancellor rings the bell, and walks eagerly up and down.--Philip enters surrounded by Officers of Justice.]

_Chancellor._ Nearer, Mr. Brook! [To the officers] Leave us till I call.

_Philip_ [with firmness]. What have you to say?

_Chancellor._ Terrified? Pale? starting eyes? So amazed, conqueror of the world? You have thrown off the mask--I will do the same. [Pause]. Young man, you are too weak to take a grain of this power; a single grain is sufficient to destroy you.--Will you implore my forgiveness, and bind yourself to eternal silence? Then quit the country, and I will forget.

_Philip._ No!

_Chancellor._ Man, who gave me half an hour's delay, I now give it to you. Answer me; will you submit, or never see the day-light more?

_Philip._ Thy banishments, thy imprisonments, will avail nothing, as long as thy sworn enemy lives.--Murder is thy only security, and on that thy coward heart dares not venture.

_Chancellor._ Thou art in my hands, worm! Who cares if I trample upon thee? Who dares to rise up against me, possessed, as I am, of the chief authority of the State, and of the confidence of the Prince? What remains to thee, thou poor wretch?

_Philip._ My heart.

_Chancellor._ Go, grovel in fetters; there wait thy fate, while thy wiser brother laughs at thee.

_Philip._ My brother? my brother? Hah! perhaps now--[going towards the door, followed hastily by the Chancellor, who locks it]. Lewis, Lewis!

_Chancellor._ Frantic villain!

_Philip._ Lewis! Lewis! brother! help!

_Chancellor_ [rings the bell and calls]. Stop him, stop him!

_Lewis_ [from without]. I will go in!

_Philip._ Lewis! Lewis! for the last time, I call, help, help!

_Lewis_ [from without]. I come [forcing the door. Constables from the other side. Counsellor and Clerk, with Lewis, enter]. What is the matter?

_Counsellor._ You villain! To assault me, to accuse your brother, to seek his life!--[To the constables] Off with him! [they seize Philip.]

_Philip._ No! No! Lewis! [throws a pocket-book to him] Take this book [Couns. snatches the book]. Lewis, your uncle--remember, remember. [Exit with constables.]

_Lewis_ [attempting to follow him, withheld by the Chancellor and the Counsellor]. Let me go.

_Chancellor._ For God's sake, do not approach him; he seeks your ruin, your life; he is dangerous. [They lead Lewis into the Chancellor's Room.]

END OF THE FOURTH ACT.

_ACT V._