_Clar._ Jack, return the wages of sin!

_P. Coun._ Immediately, and--

_Reiss._ Of course, and--

_Clar._ And then it is all over; for I must tell you, he will not fill the office of a Privy Counsellor any longer.

_P. Coun._ Yes, Sir, I intend to give in my resignation this very day.

_Reiss._ Well, well; but your responsibility for the performance of your duty hitherto, and the unconscientious--

_Soph._ Dear father!

_P. Coun._ Mr. Reissman!

_Clar._ I hope, you will not make that an object of minute enquiry?

_Reiss._ That depends on the nature of the remaining charges. A resignation cannot undo what is done. Come along, daughter, let us go.

_Soph._ Dear father!

_P. Coun._ In virtue of your promise, you are my father-in-law; if you wish to be my enemy in earnest, you may abide by the consequence.

Whatever I could do and urge against you, Sophia has my word for it, I will do nothing. Sophia is my lawful bride.

_Reiss._ By no means, never!

_Soph._ I am his bride, father; you gave your word.

_Reiss._ Before he was impeached.

_Fred._ Sir--

_Gern._ (pa.s.sionately.) That is too much!

_Clar._ Hush, Sir! or I will run and fetch all the children of Brunnig, that have been robbed by you; their words, their tears, and their curses, shall impeach you before G.o.d and man. You accuse others, who are angels of light compared with you.

_Reiss._ (in a pa.s.sion.) Do you intend to marry him?

_Soph._ Yes!

_Reiss._ Without office, without bread, without honour?

_Soph._ Without office, without bread, but who says without honour?

_Reiss._ I, I, I!

_Clar._ Thunder and lightning!

_P. Coun._ Patience, father!--Withdraw; your daughter stays with my father.

_Reiss._ If she chooses to be disinherited.

_Soph._ Be it, in the name of G.o.d!

_Reiss._ I will shew her who is the man for whom she sacrifices her inheritance.

_P. Coun._ Then I will inform the world who has made such a man of me; whose contrivance it is, if ever I acted contrary to those principles of honesty this worthy citizen had taught me.

_Reiss._ What!

_Soph._ Clarenbach, he is my father!--Clarenbach, where do I stand now?

_P. Coun._ Would you forsake me, helpless, on the brink of the precipice from which you were just about to s.n.a.t.c.h me? Do you value my soul less than my honour?

_Soph._ No, no! I will stay and support you. You have my word; I will not break it.

_Reiss._ His disgrace shall break it, and distress punish it; you shall never see my face again. [Exit.

_Soph._ Father!--

_Clar._ Here is one that has a heart for the distressed children! Come, my daughter.

_P. Coun._ My resignation was to be spontaneous; it is now forced and attended with disgrace.

_Soph._ My heart is Clarenbach's, whether he be fortunate or unfortunate.

_P. Coun._ He will ruin me, and endeavour to dissolve our mutual tie.

_Clar._ But I and old Wellenberg say, he shall not; between us two old boys we will sing him such a song, as will make him wish he were under earth or water. Let me alone; your happiness is at stake.

_Soph._ He is my father,--he is old; for his daughter's sake do not disgrace him.

_Clar._ But disgrace myself, ay? No; honour to him who honour deserves!

I will ring the bell of disgrace over him, so as to make the whole country resound. (Disengages himself, and exit.)

_Soph._ On that condition I cannot be your wife. (Going.)

_P. Coun._ (stops her,) Sophia!

_Soph._ In this case, the voice of nature should over-rule that of love! If he is to be ruined, were it to break my heart and cost me my life, it is my duty to perish by his side. (Disengages herself, and exit.)

_Fred._ Sister, dear sister! (Follows.)

_P. Coun._ (to Gernau.) Man! you, that, though poor and low, have remained faithful to your duty; I apply to that heart which my power has tortured, and seek for consolation. (Clings round his neck.)

_Gern._ I sympathize in your sufferings; let me go and get information, and act for you.

_P. Coun._ No! If I should fall, I ought to rise by myself, and if I cannot bring that about, I ought to perish in the dark, unpitied by man. [Exit.