_Reiss._ Burning fever is only another word for madness; the denunciations of a madman is valid only with madmen. _Well._ Shall I take them in the presence of witnesses? Shall the faculty make an affidavit of the state of his mind? _Reiss._ Do as you please. _Well._ And should he die and leave such a deposition? _Reiss._ Then it is the deposition of a madman. _Well._ Hem! (musing.) And if, aided by all the courts, I were to put you to an oath concerning the foul means you employed to get that will made in your favour-- _Reiss._ What then? _Well._ Then you will-- _P. Coun._ It is a disagreeable affair I see; and Mr. Reissman has already declared that at all events he was disposed, through mere benevolence, to give up part of the legacy. _Reiss._ What? _Well._ What he means to do, let him do in full, and not by halves. _Reiss._ Nothing; not a single penny! as you want to compel me, not a single penny! Your sick madman is a calumniator, and so-- _Well._ _Vera laus est laudari a viro laudato._ _Reiss._ Now, do not rouze my passion, but get you gone. In writing, do as you think proper; I shall know what to do on my side. _Well._ _Fiat!_--Then I will set to work, that the judgment of God may be made manifest on the unjust. [Exit. SCENE VII. Privy Counsellor CLARENBACH, Aulic Counsellor REISSMAN. _P. Coun._ (confused.) Sir, you see me go perplexed-- _Reiss._ Do not you talk, you have spoiled all. _P. Coun._ I will run after him. _Reiss._ You shall not, Sir. _P. Coun._ You are undone. _Reiss._ Who says so? _P. Coun._ God forbid you should take the oath. _Reiss._ Instead of standing there by the side of that insect of the law, like a scholar that has received a wrap over his knuckles, you ought to have thundered him down with the voice of a judge, with influence and authority. _P. Coun._ But I knew nothing of those shocking circumstances before. _Reiss._ Hem! As if there was any difference between persuading a foolish woman to make a will, or getting a fellow that is half mad to draw it up. The former, however, you have supposed to be the case, and yet your morality sustained no shock. _P. Coun._ But the oath?-- _Reiss._ Your pretended delicacy of conscience revolts at it; the mere cowardice of a boy. Who are you, that now takes the part of conscience against me? Are you a better man than I? _P. Coun._ Whose work is it? _Reiss._ You are a greater coward, but not the better man. Do not presume to raise yourself an inch above me. You have sold both right and bread. _P. Coun._ Sir, the pupil may yet recede. _Reiss._ If the master will let him; but the master holds him in his hand. If he recedes, mind that he must shrink into his original insignificance. He must hide from this world, for I--I shall not fall alone. If I fall, the ground around shall tremble! Do you take me? _P. Coun._ Horrid and abominable!