ACT V.

SCENE I.

Enter Aulic Counsellor REISSMAN, bringing in two bottles of wine, which he puts on the table.

_Reiss._ The doctor is dead,--good night to him! The lawyer will soon follow; he is an old man! Old people are subject to many accidents; death has them constantly at his nod, such is the course of nature!

SCENE II.

Enter Counsellor SELLING.

_Sell._ Oh, dear Sir, what shall we do now? I have read that Benniger such a lecture, and taken the money _ad depositum_. But, good heaven!

that fellow is a wild ferocious beast. He says, it is a bargain; that the receiver is the thief, and not the bidder. He insists on having the patent for the monopoly dispatched; if not, he swears he will play the deuce.

_Reiss._ So much the better; let him do his best.

_Sell._ Ah, but, dear Sir, he does not say a word against the Privy Counsellor; you and I are the scape-goats; every nerve trembles.

_Reiss._ So you are quite alarmed?

_Sell._ Truly.

_Reiss._ The rogue intended to bribe, and of course is liable to a heavy punishment.

_Sell._ But then he is a stranger.

_Reiss._ Have him arrested, then he can do no harm.

_Sell._ But he can talk a good deal for all that.

_Reiss._ That is my business. Have him arrested.

_Sell._ But the Prime Minister--

_Reiss._ Is at a great distance, and do not you know, though I do not publicly affect it, that I am the prime minister of this country.

Arrest him, I say.

_Sell._ Very well. But then I have--

_Reiss._ What else? To the point!

_Sell._ A concern, that lies very near my heart. I am told the Privy Counsellor is to resign,--and perhaps to leave this town. I could not help making his sister considerable presents this morning, which cost a great deal of money; and, if his power should be at an end, all would be thrown away; he ought to reimburse me.

_Reiss._ But those presents have been returned, I understand.

_Sell._ Without the least injury! but my expence was heavy. I must lose by those things, if I were to dispose of them. Could not you manage so by your authority, that he should take them at prime cost?

_Reiss._ No, I employ my authority to better purposes.

_Sell._ Good heaven! the gown of rose satin alone cost me--

_Reiss._ (displeased.) Let it be converted into a morning-gown for yourself.

_Sell._ A morning-gown!--Ay, that will do. Rose colour becomes my complexion. I thank you, it shall. I will have it lined with lawn. I will have it made up directly. (Going.)

_Reiss._ And have the fellow secured.

_Sell._ Directly! the morning-gown made up, and the fellow arrested! I thank you for extricating me out of this embarra.s.sment. [Exit.

_Reiss._ Blockhead!--My whole existence is at stake;--once won, won for ever!

SCENE III.

Enter SOPHIA.

_Soph._ Father, I beg--

_Reiss._ Yes, you will soon beg.--Begone, be gone!

_Soph._ Your situation is dreadful, as dreadful as mine. Be kind and just. Lend your helping hand.

_Reiss._ Be gone to the Carpenter. Out of my sight, be gone, I say!

_Soph._ I am come,--I cannot leave you till your mind is at ease.

_Reiss._ I shall be at ease as soon as you depart, the spy of my actions. Be gone, I tell you!

_Soph._ Father!

_Reiss._ Begone, I tell you; begone, or I will have thee driven out of my house! Out of my sight, snake, serpent, traitor, spy, begone!

_Soph._ I have ever obeyed you, and I will even obey this cruel command. [Exit.

SCENE IV.

Enter Lawyer WELLENBERG.

_Well._ You have sent for me;--here I am.

_Reiss._ I thank you;--sit down.

_Well._ What is your pleasure?