The Nephews: A Play, in Five Acts. Part 16

_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 a.s.sistance to save an honest man from ruin.

_Chancellor._ What a.s.sistance? 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.