The Nephews: A Play, in Five Acts. Part 22

_Augusta._ Yes.

_Old Man._ Can I speak to him? if you please--

_Mrs. D._ He is--he is--not here.

_Old Man_ [mildly]. But he will come back? [looking at them] or is he dead? [Tenderly] Oh, if he be dead, he is happy, and I will not interrupt his peace.

Enter LEWIS hastily, kisses Mrs. DRAVE's hand.

_Lewis._ Too true, Madam, too true.--What had become of me but for your advice?--You are my good angel, Augusta; you will rather pity than hate me. [Perceiving the Old Man] What Old man is that?

_Mrs. D._ Somebody in distress, I fear--he wants to see my husband.

_Lewis_ [giving him a purse]. There, my friend, take that.

_Old Man._ I do not want money.

_Lewis_ [hastily]. Well, well, but pray go.

_Old Man._ I want but little, Sir.

_Lewis._ And what? speak! quickly.

_Old Man._ Only a little place under ground, to rest in peace.

_Lewis._ I pity you, good Old man--but pray take it, and go.--We have not time to hear you [leads him towards the door, and returns]. Madam, the Counsellor is secured up stairs; the Chancellor is coming----

_Old Man_ [returning slowly.] I will not leave this house again.

_Lewis._ But----

_Old Man._ I cannot walk any farther [sits down]. Let me stay here, my good Sir. I shall not trouble you long; G.o.d will soon release me----

_Lewis._ But tell me, what do you want?

_Old Man_ [looking round]. Good G.o.d! yes--I have often been in this house--once--long ago--but it is long, long since----

_Mrs. D._ Tell me, who are you?

_Old Man._ Yes--I will tell you; for my death is not far off--observe I am terribly pursued. I was a rich--rich man: I had whole chests full of plate----lived in a great house. It is long since I wore this dress: it is in some disorder, I fear.

_Lewis_ [hastily]. Speak! who are you?

_Old Man._ Be not angry, my good Sir. I will tell you every thing----but do not beat me [Kneels]. I will tell you all----[Augusta raises him]. Yes, it was in the year----have patience--my head always aches so, when I try to recollect any thing--but I shall soon do it--Yes--I was carried away, and imprisoned for many, many years: I was strictly guarded in a close dark vault. It was for high treason, they said--It was a favour I was not beheaded.

_Lewis._ Go on, go on.

_Old Man._ I soon learned to bear it. But sometimes when I heard the sound of music, or of people walking over my head, oh! then I wished to be in the world again. Often in the cold nights I could not forbear to weep; but they used to beat me, and so I broke myself of that, and now I can weep no more.

_Mrs. D._ Poor old man!

_Lewis_ [doubtfully]. Old man, who are you?

_Old Man._ At last, as I grew so old, they watched me more carelessly.--One night I found my door left unlocked, and went away: ever since I have been wandering about, and lived by begging alms.

_Lewis._ And your relations?

_Old Man._ Oh, yes, yes, I had relations; but they are dead--their children confined me, for the sake of my fortune. Yet I saved only for them--Oh, when I remember that, my eyes grow hot, but I cannot weep----They are my sister's children.

_Lewis_ [kneeling]. Merciful Heaven!

_Mrs. D._ It is he!

_Augusta._ Who?

_Lewis_ [hastily rising]. My uncle! my uncle! I am Brook; your nephew, your sister's son; the son of your dear Maria.

_Old Man_ [turning from him]. He will betray me. Oh, speak to him not to put me into jail again.

_Lewis._ Cease, cease!

_Old Man._ Keep all my property; but for your dear mother's sake, do not let me be imprisoned again.

_Mrs. D._ He loves you, sincerely loves you.

_Augusta._ What a scene!

_Old Man_ [goodnaturedly]. Will you not shut me up again then?--tell me--No, I am sure you will not.

_Lewis._ Brother of my revered mother in heaven, can you ask? Do not you feel it? It is the son of your good Maria who weeps before you.

_Old Man._ Let me look at your face--yes--I believe--I have been away fifteen years, and cannot recollect every thing--but I believe you are he----

_Mrs. D._ It is he.

_Old Man._ Is it Philip or Lewis?

_Lewis._ I am Lewis, Lewis the youngest.

_Old Man_ [wiping his eyes]. Come to my arms, Lewis!

_Lewis_ [with emotion]. Oh, did not the weight of my guilt lie so heavy on me!--Here I vow severe revenge.

_Servant entering._ My Lord the Chancellor is coming up stairs.

_Lewis._ Well, well, I'll to them. Orders to release Drave and my brother, are my first requests: I shall also strongly urge reparation.

If they refuse--if they even hesitate--woe on the villains! [Exit.