The Nephews: A Play, in Five Acts. Part 21

_Lewis._ No?

_Counsellor._ No!

_Lewis_ [coldly]. Let me see; shew me the papers.

_Counsellor._ Why will you see them particularly _now_?

_Lewis_ [earnestly]. Be so good.

_Counsellor._ Who can look over them now? all incoherent pieces--thoughts--tracts--odes on despotism--addresses to liberty. It is not worth while.

_Lewis_ [crossing his arms]. It is a very strange refusal.

_Counsellor_ [offended]. Have I deserved such mistrust?

_Lewis._ Your question would inspire it.

_Counsellor._ Well, well. [Unlocks a pocket-book; and, as he takes out the papers, slips a small packet into his pocket]. Here--there--and there--that is all--now look at them.

_Lewis_ [looking at the papers]. Yes, yes, all trifles, it is true--poetical dreams--philosophical nonsense--you may take them.

_Counsellor._ Your behaviour, I must say, offends me much, and I beg to be spared in future----

_Lewis._ Why, every body would call me a villain, if I proceeded to act against my own brother without full conviction--therefore [with great earnestness] give me that other packet.

_Counsellor_ [thunderstruck]. What--which--what packet?

_Lewis._ That which you took from the rest, and put into your pocket.

_Counsellor._ But--why?

_Lewis._ Out with it!

_Counsellor._ I will----

_Lewis._ Out with it, I say. [Counsellor gives the packet; and, while Lewis is reading it, endeavours to put on an air of indifference.]

_Lewis_ [reading]. "Original doc.u.ments relating to my design: one copy is in my red pocketbook, another in possession of Dr. Arends."----Ha!

now we shall soon see clearly.--[Opens the packet and reads]

"Attestation of Dr. Aarbach, in behalf of my uncle."--"At the gates of eternity, being still sound in mind though weak in body--in order to relieve my conscience, I declare that I have given wicked and false evidence in the case of your uncle, seduced thereto by bribes, as the inclosed original letters will shew. He was thus declared mad, having never been so, and is treated like a condemned criminal. Pity his old-age, save him, and forgive me, and pray to G.o.d to forgive me, to whose righteous judgment I look with deep repentance."----Signed _Aarbach_.

Now for the letters--[opens a paper containing a portrait]. My uncle's portrait! He was my mother's dearest brother, [takes another paper]

How! Letters in your father's own hand-writing, full of bribes! [Takes another packet] "Letters of Mr. Verrini at Petersburgh, shewing that the expences of the corn distributed, amounted to only to 20,000 rix-dollars; and the attestations of the clerks employed, shewing that 38,000 were charged." [Looks at another packet] What is this? "My will, in case I should die suddenly." [Opens it] "On condition that my brother Lewis Brook saves and supports my uncle, in case I shall not have done it, I declare him the sole heir of all my property."

_Lewis_ [after a pause, to the Counsellor]. Look at me.

_Counsellor_ [with coldness, and slowly]. Why?

_Lewis_ [with rising pa.s.sion]. Do you observe nothing?

_Counsellor._ What? No!

_Lewis._ You have no presentiment?

_Counsellor._ Why?

_Lewis._ Does no secret foreboding tell you, that some, merciful angel comes to bring back a deluded heart?--You see, observe nothing?

Approach--feel here--feel how my heart beats--repentance, compa.s.sion on my unhappy uncle; and perdition, revenge on you!

_Counsellor._ What? what, Lewis!

_Lewis._ You are discovered, villain; you and your father are lost for ever.

_Counsellor._ Surely you will not--why?

_Lewis._ From frailties you lead me to faults, from faults to crimes--now you would lead me to horrors----I am esteemed a sharer in your villainy; every body despises me: the worst of criminals will blush at my company.

_Counsellor._ But you have promised----

_Lewis._ Silence! sit down--write to your father: tell him the family will make some discoveries. I will have him in my power, to prevent his schemes, and to dictate my will to him.

_Counsellor._ No, never.

_Lewis_ [drawing his sword]. Write, or in one instant thou art a dead man.

_Counsellor_ [sits down and writes a note. Lewis examines it, and takes it with the other papers]. I see very well, Sir! but triumph not too soon.

_Lewis_ [takes his arm and leads him off].--Go on--What farther we have to say, you may expect----go on. [Exeunt.

Enter MRS. DRAVE and AUGUSTA.

_Mrs. D._ Was ever such malicious treachery heard of? Should Brook cowardly delay to make use of these proofs, I will develope their crimes myself. [A gentle knock is heard at the door of the room.]

_Augusta._ What was that?

_Mrs. D._ Nothing--be quiet--our misfortunes cannot increase. [The knock repeated twice.

_Augusta._ Do you hear?

_Mrs. D._ Is any body there? Come in. [The door opens; an old man with grey hairs, dressed in an old-fashioned lace suit, much tarnished, enters, and approaches timidly].

_Mrs. D._ What do you wish, my good friend?

_Old Man_ [shyly]. Madam--pray, does not somebody live here--in this house----I mean Mr. Drave?

_Mrs. D._ Alas! my good friend!

_Old Man._ He lived here once, I think--does he not live here still?