s----

_Mrs. D._ Why?

_Lewis._ If you prefer it, you can go into that room, and over-hear our
conversation: but depend upon it, notwithstanding all outward
appearances, my brother's heart is full of malice. [Exit.

Enter AUGUSTA.

_Mrs. D._ Be not afflicted, my dear Augusta--compose yourself. He
appears to be misled rather than wicked. Yet they have drawn so artful
a snare about him, that I fear it will be difficult to destroy it.

_Augusta._ Will it?

_Mrs. D._ God grant this moment may prove fortunate, and fully convince
him of their villainy!

_Counsellor_ [without]. I can't, upon my honour, I am so busy----

_Lewis_ [without]. Pshaw! don't stand on ceremony.

_Mrs. D._ They are coming, let us be gone.

_Augusta._ Who?

_Mrs. D._ Come, come. [Exeunt.

Enter LEWIS and COUNSELLOR.

_Lewis._ It would be too late afterwards, I assure you.

_Counsellor._ Very singular! Suppose you had not met with me?

_Lewis._ I should have gone in search of you.

_Counsellor_ [going]. Let us rather go to your house.

_Lewis._ As we are now here--

_Counsellor._ But it is very unpleasant to me.--The people will trouble
me with their complaints and lamentations--Besides, I am in haste--my
father waits for me.

_Lewis._ Only a few words. You have instituted a suit against Drave in
my name.

_Counsellor._ Certainly.

_Lewis._ Very well: as soon as I am of age, I shall restore Drave every
thing.

_Counsellor._ God forbid!

_Lewis._ He may then pay by degrees: but--we parted so abruptly to
day--why have you secured my brother?

_Counsellor._ He wished to have you declared a prodigal--protested
against your marriage--and, as your father refused, to listen to him,
flew into a passion with him, and vehemently threatened you.

_Lewis._ But why lock the door?

_Counsellor._ Does not my father know your passionate temper?--He did
it to avoid mischief.

_Lewis._ And why refuse me that pocket-book?

_Counsellor._ Aye, the pocket-book--yes--it was forgotten in this
confusion: you shall have it--it contains the materials on which the
whole project was founded--attestations of your prodigality, of
trifling errors artfully perverted into flagrant vices, and such
things----

_Lewis._ Well, well, let me see them, I will have these proofs of his
hypocrisy printed--come, come----

_Counsellor_ [at a loss]. Yes--but my father will perhaps be gone
out----

_Lewis._