The Nephews: A Play, in Five Acts. Part 23

_Old Man._ What does he mean? Where is he going?

_Mrs. D._ Good old man, it is a decisive hour--pray to Heaven to a.s.sist us.

_Old Man._ You are not happy?

_Mrs. D._ No, oh no! [Enter Rose hastily, with a Servant].

_Mr. R._ Madam, I dare not conceal--I heard--Mr. Drave is suddenly taken ill.

_Mrs. D._ Merciful Heaven! Frederick, our cloaks. [Exit Servant.

_Mr. R._ Can you bear to look at me?

_Mrs. D._ Come, come, we'll go to him--come, Augusta. [Servant brings cloaks].

_Mr. R._ [whilst Mrs. D. takes her cloak]. But, Madam, it will affect him too much to see you thus.

_Mrs. D._ [not attending to him, and going, followed by Augusta and Rose].

_Old Man._ You leave me? Who will have pity on me? who will----

_Mrs. D._ Stay, Augusta, make him comfortable.--Frederick, put him out of the way.

_Servant._ Where, Madam?

_Mrs. D._ I don't know--any where.

_Servant._ I'll take him to my mother's.

_Mrs. D._ Well, well.--[Old Man led off by Augusta and Frederick--Mrs.

Drave and Rose going off on the opposite side].

_Old Man_ [as he is going]. You leave me; you will betray me; I have nothing except these grey hairs.

[As Mrs. Drave and Rose are going out at the door, they meet the Chancellor's Clerk.)

_Clerk._ Stop; where are you going?

_Mr. R._ Where an honest man is sacrificed by villains.

_Clerk._ A few words, Madam, if you please.

_Mrs. D._ Let me go, Sir! do not rob my suffering husband of his only comfort--let me go.

_Clerk._ You must stop, Madam.

_Mr. R._ By what authority do you dare act thus?

_Clerk._ Do you know me?

_Mr. R._ Too well, too well.

_Clerk._ Then you should know that when I order, it is your part to submit in silence.

_Mr. R._ You shall not drive her to despair.

_Clerk._ Pray, who are you?

_Mr. R._ One who has been made a beggar by thee and thy master, thou knave; a formidable beggar.

_Clerk._ Are you mad?

_Mr. R._ So well in my senses, that I should apprehend being confined under pretence of madness, if I were still rich enough.

_Clerk._ Beware, Sir, how you speak!

_Mr. R._ Do thou beware of thy life.

_Clerk._ That is going too far.

_Mr. R._ Have I not weapons? cannot I fell thee to the earth with this stick, thou prime agent of villainy?

_Clerk._ I pity you: but remember, I have persons with me, and full power to check all resistance; therefore take my advice, and go.

_Mr. R._ I will go--but, thou fellow! yes, I wilt go, and if I can only see Philip---- [Exit.

_Mrs. D._ Oh, Sir! if ever you loved--if ever you trembled for an unfortunate wife, for a brother, or for a child--then feel my affliction; be softened, and let me go to my husband.

_Clerk._ Madam, I have orders to examine you, touching a certain point.

The means of discovering truth I have at hand. Sincerity and submission, will be your best choice.

_Mrs. D._ What must I tell? quickly--I beg.

_Clerk._ If you satisfy me entirely, I promise you shall see Mr. Drave.

_Mrs. D._ But your questions?

_Clerk._ You shall be allowed to remain with him, if you desire it.

_Mrs. D._ Were he in the grave I should desire it. Quick--your questions.

_Clerk._ Well--who is here in the house?

_Mrs. D._ Here?

_Clerk._ A stranger.

_Mrs. D._ A stranger?