gaining this legacy that I
raised a deputy to the rank of a privy counsellor? Who is my wealth to
devolve to but you and him?

SCENE III.

Enter Privy Counsellor CLARENBACH.

_Reiss._ There he is! Thanks, my hearty thanks for the dispatch! That
is what I call business. That is what I call a specimen of a useful
son-in-law.--Now Miss may fix the happy day. She will tell us more
about it at dinner, I will step down to the cellar, and take care that
we shall have the best it can afford. We will pour liquid gold down our
throats to solemnize the acquisition of solid gold. [Exit.

SCENE IV.

SOPHIA, Privy Counsellor CLARENBACH.

Sophia wipes her eyes.

_P. Coun._ (after a pause.) Why does my dear Sophia weep?

_Soph._ My father is pleased with you.

_P. Coun._ I see I am the cause of your grief.

_Soph._ Does your conscience tell you so?

_P. Coun._ Your tears do.

_Soph._ (after a pause.) Well, then, answer my tears.

P, Coun. (shrugs up his shoulders.) The dead letter has decided in this
business, as it does in many more, where our feelings would decide in a
different manner, but dare not.

_Soph._ And dare not!--Further--

_P. Coun._ Further it fills me with the deepest distress to see my
Sophia thus distressed. I am not to blame. I would give any thing to
alter the circumstance.

_Soph._ Any thing?--do not be offended at this question. It conveys no
doubt. It contains my firmest confidence in the heart of the man to
whom I am going to tender mine,--to whom I have tendered it already.
Yes, Clarenbach, I do not conceal it from you; I could not leave you
without giving myself up to those tears.

_P. Coun._ Sophia, my angel! the promised companion of my life, my
guardian angel, the most precious gift of providence! How dare I
presume to merit your partiality? No! I shall never be able to merit
you. Such purity and goodness of mind! how can I convince you of the
sincerity of my esteem?

_Soph._ Clarenbach!

_P. Coun._ (takes her by the hand.) Sophia!

_Soph._ A wife has many duties to discharge. And I must tell you before
hand, I shall never content myself merely to be your wife, unless I am
able to influence you and your actions.

_P. Coun._ To bless those for whom I am to act.

_Soph._ But what will be my powers over you? I know the first generous
impulse of your heart is always good