Act 3 — SCENE I.

At the Chancellor's.

The CHANCELLOR and a CLERK entering on different sides.

Chancellor. I was looking for you. What news?

Clerk. Every thing goes on very well, Sir.

Chancellor. How so, my friend?

Clerk. I have just spoken to Mr. Drave's clerk, who told me, that his master had given security for young Brook's L.10,000, at Rose's.

Chancellor. Excellent, excellent!

Clerk. He added, that his master must inevitably stop payment, if this sum were demanded immediately.

Chancellor. That shall be my care. I have already given orders to our Jew Broker; he is to join with some other creditors of young Brook, and insist on immediate payment.

Clerk. The man also assured me, that the inventory of old Brook's property was drawn up in a hasty, and rather irregular manner.

Chancellor. Better and better! now we are sure of him.—I prevailed on young Brook to sign a protest against this inventory, as being illegally drawn up—It will soon be all over with them.

Clerk. But, it will make a great noise: nobody dares to speak freely, it is true. But, then there is the Minister—his patriotic fancies——

Chancellor [laughing], are fancies.——

Clerk. Yet our Prince is every day more pleased with him. They are frequently whole hours together.

Chancellor. I am an old servant, and know the Prince well. Fear nothing. Drave shall at length suffer for all his calumnies: when we have once got rid of him, we shall have every thing to ourselves. It will be an additional profit of at least two thousand a year.

Clerk. Certainly it will.

Chancellor. You will therefore draw immediately for the above sum. If he cannot pay, a warrant must be issued, seals put on, and he will be a bankrupt, and ruined at once: but at the same time do not forget to look after the old uncle.

Clerk. I have heard of an old man who, from the description, appears to resemble him exactly.

Chancellor. For God's sake, take care.

Clerk. Rely upon me.—But, I do not at all like the elder Brook.

Chancellor. Oh, fair and softly goes far; only be on your guard.

(Servant entering.) The coach, my Lord!

Chancellor. Come! [Exeunt.