The Nephews: A Play, in Five Acts. Part 24

_Clerk._ Of acquaintance rather.

_Mrs. D._ [at a loss]. I think not.

_Clerk_ [harshly]. No evasion, Madam! That he is in the house, I know: where is he?

_Mrs. D._ Sir!

_Clerk._ Answer! where is he? My attendants can open doors, and concealment will be dangerous. Where is he?

_Mrs. D._ [sits down]. Up stairs.

_Clerk_ [going]. Alone, or somebody with him?

_Mrs. D._ Mr. Brook and his son are with him.

_Clerk._ His son? what do you mean?

_Mrs. D._ The Counsellor.

_Clerk._ What Counsellor?

_Mrs. D._ Do not torment me so.--Counsellor Fleffel.

_Clerk._ So; My Lord has doubtless come to examine himself. Did he say any thing?

_Mrs. D._ No!

_Clerk._ Is there no fourth person with him? no old man?

_Mrs. D._ No! yes! Oh, torture me no more!

_Clerk._ I shall examine--do you remain here, Madam. [Exit.

_Mrs. D._ [goes up to the door and calls]. Augusta! Frederick! Augusta!

Enter AUGUSTA and FREDERICK.

_Mrs. D._ What an accident! The Chancellor's clerk is here, in search of the old man. I misunderstood him, and told him the Chancellor was here; he is gone up stairs. Frederick, see if the house be free; we must save the old man. [Exit Serv.

_Augusta._ Have you heard of my father?

_Mrs. D._ No, good G.o.d! no!--The old man, how is he? does he sleep?

_Augusta._ So softly, so quietly! Alas! it is long, I fear, since he has slept so.

_Mrs. D._ Wake him; he must go: wake him. [Exit Augusta.

_Servant entering._ The hall is full of constables; but, I will try to lead him down the back stairs, and through the warehouse.

_Mrs. D._ Go, quick; lead him away, before the clerk returns.

(Enter Augusta, with the Old Man.)

_Old Man._ You tear me from my sleep; what will you do with me?

(Chancellor and Clerk from behind the Scenes).

_Clerk._ Where? answer, My Lord, where?

_Chancellor._ Here! help! here!

_Mrs. D._ Almighty G.o.d, they are discovered!

From behind / _Chancellor._ Break the door open.

the Scenes. _Lewis._ Stop! on your life, stop!

(Noise of forcing a door).

_Clerk._ _From behind._ G.o.d be praised!

Enter CLERK, a handkerchief round his head, calling at the door.

_Clerk._ A surgeon! quick!----Villains.

_Chancellor_ [entering hastily, embraces the Clerk]. You are my saving angel. Thank G.o.d.

_Clerk._ My hand is crushed.

_Chancellor._ I'll pay for the cure. [To the Constables who enter] You are come? [To the Clerk]. Now, my friend--be Brook secured--my coach, called--the orders of release countermanded--the other Brook and Drave secured again; [exit Clerk] you--you shall pay----

_Mrs. D._ Have compa.s.sion, My Lord!

_Chancellor._ On you? To a.s.sault me! to extort orders from me by violence! Oh, you shall pay for it, I promise you.

(Enter CLERK with some papers).

_Clerk_ [tears the papers to pieces]. There--there are your treacherous schemes. [Aside to the Chancellor] How happy for me that I got hold of them! [To Mrs. D.] Now, where is the old man? Out with him!

_Mrs. D._ [with firmness]. Yes! he is here. You shall see him--see him, if you can bear it. [Exit].

_Chancellor._ Is the old uncle here?

_Clerk._ Yes, I found him out at last.

_Mrs. D._ [entering]. He cannot stir. Go yourself. You may kill him, he says--but he will not stir.

_Clerk._ Nonsense! [Exit.

Enter Mr. DRAVE.