have made a stranger of yourself.--What would you think of me, if I had
not commenced the suit?

_P. Coun._ The claim rests on a will.

_Clar._ Which has been obtained, by the old Counsellor, by undue
influence; is not that your opinion?

_P. Coun._ Can that be proved?--

_Clar._ We must see--

_P. Coun._ If you cannot prove it, the Counsellor will recover.

_Clar._ He certainly will, and therefore you must assist me to combat
him.

_P. Coun._ Who, I? How came you to think so? Well, we will leave the
cause to take its due course, and so should you.--

_Clar._ Ay, ay, Jack.

_P. Coun._ Besides, I must tell you, Reissman proposes to give me his
daughter.

_Clar._ So I hear. The lady has all my best wishes. Heaven prosper your
union! But sure you would not begin it by an act of injustice!

_P. Coun._ No, certainly not! But why would you, suppose even though
Reissman were wrong,--why would you, for the sake of strangers, destroy
my happiness?

_Clar._ Can poor, injured, unhappy children, in any situation, be
_strangers_ to me? And have wards, intrusted to my care, fewer titles
to my assistance than my own children? And have not you, in the name of
the magistrates, appointed me one of their guardians?

_P. Coun._ That, as they are unfortunate, I might see them in good
hands.

_Clar._ Why, they are in good hands. I am come to request you to see
the business speedily executed. Of the verdict itself I will make no
mention. You will act as an honest man, or else I must despise you, and
look for redress elsewhere. Meanwhile, I tell you, the children shall
not go to the hospital, because that is impracticable.

_P. Coun._ Father, I Have given my word.

_Clar._ You must recall it.

_P. Coun._ How can I?

_Clar._ Say you did not understand the matter. It is upon my word
better than to expose your name to shame or ridicule, and to fill your
mind with inquietude.

_P. Coun._ Father, I love you dearly, but pray do not interfere with my
business.

_Clar._ Very well; then you act as Privy Counsellor, as you think
proper; and I, as trustee of the hospital and guardian of the children,
will do the same.

_P. Coun._ Cannot we talk of more agreeable things, and drop that
question. I wish you so well, but you reject all I propose.

_Clar._ You make me presents in money, and, I am told, you want to make
me mayor of the town. Jack, make me no presents! do good to town and
country; and, if you can, come after you