_ Your motion in the court-house of yesterday, that the
foot-passenger should be prohibited to walk in the middle of the
street, has provoked some laughter.

_Sell._ I wanted to propose something in my turn too.

_P. Coun._ It is too trifling. Wait for the motions of the senior
barristers, and--

_Sell._ I wanted to give myself a little air of consequence by a motion
of my own, hence--

_P. Coun._ No, no. If you have nothing of greater consequence to
propose, you had better walk like the rest in the middle of the street.
(They retire to the closet.)

SCENE VII.

Master CLARENBACH's house.

Instead of the furniture which appeared in the first act, a modern
writing-desk and handsome chairs.

Enter FREDERICA, followed by a servant with a large band-box.

_Fred._ My name is Frederica; what do you want with me?

_Serv._ To take these things, madam.

_Fred._ I will take nothing.

_Serv._ And I will take back nothing.

_Fred._ Who has sent you to me?

_Serv._ Somebody that has a right, I suppose. (Puts down the band-box,
and retires.)

_Fred._ (alone.) It may remain there, I will not touch it; I will not
look at it. (Going from the band-box.) Sure, there are some articles of
dress for me in it. It is odd that they will not leave us as we wish,
to our own wishes. (Draws a step nearer.) It may not be for me perhaps.
(Reads the direction at a distance.) To Miss Frederica Clarenbach; but
it is addressed to me, I see! If any person,--if Gernau should happen
to come in, I must remove the box. (Takes hold of it.) Quite light! as
light as a feather! What does it contain? What is that to me? (Takes it
up, and walks a few paces.) If Gernau should now meet me, it would look
as if I wanted to conceal something. Dear me! (Places it at some
distance on the floor,) my brother must have sent it! Somebody that has
a right to do so, the fellow said; that must be my brother, and so I
may look at it. Besides, my father will certainly send back the
furniture, and then this may bear the rest company. Now, if I should
not even look at it, it would seem as if I despised my brother. No, I
will open and look at the things; but certainly I will keep none.
(Kneels down, cuts the strings, opens the lid, and starts up in
surprise.) Ay dear! how pretty! (Kneels down again.) A cloak! O what
beautiful lace! hem! why, a cloak is not too gay for tradesfolks; I
think it is part of t