_P. Coun._ (to Gernau.) Man! you, that, though poor and low, have remained faithful to your duty; I apply to that heart which my power has tortured, and seek for consolation. (Clings round his neck.) _Gern._ I sympathize in your sufferings; let me go and get information, and act for you. _P. Coun._ No! If I should fall, I ought to rise by myself, and if I cannot bring that about, I ought to perish in the dark, unpitied by man. [Exit. ACT V. SCENE I. Enter Aulic Counsellor REISSMAN, bringing in two bottles of wine, which he puts on the table. _Reiss._ The doctor is dead,--good night to him! The lawyer will soon follow; he is an old man! Old people are subject to many accidents; death has them constantly at his nod, such is the course of nature! SCENE II. Enter Counsellor SELLING. _Sell._ Oh, dear Sir, what shall we do now? I have read that Benniger such a lecture, and taken the money _ad depositum_. But, good heaven! that fellow is a wild ferocious beast. He says, it is a bargain; that the receiver is the thief, and not the bidder. He insists on having the patent for the monopoly dispatched; if not, he swears he will play the deuce. _Reiss._ So much the better; let him do his best. _Sell._ Ah, but, dear Sir, he does not say a word against the Privy Counsellor; you and I are the scape-goats; every nerve trembles. _Reiss._ So you are quite alarmed? _Sell._ Truly. _Reiss._ The rogue intended to bribe, and of course is liable to a heavy punishment. _Sell._ But then he is a stranger. _Reiss._ Have him arrested, then he can do no harm. _Sell._ But he can talk a good deal for all that. _Reiss._ That is my business. Have him arrested. _Sell._ But the Prime Minister-- _Reiss._ Is at a great distance, and do not you know, though I do not publicly affect it, that I am the prime minister of this country. Arrest him, I say. _Sell._ Very well. But then I have-- _Reiss._ What else? To the point! _Sell._ A concern, that lies very near my heart. I am told the Privy Counsellor is to resign,--and perhaps to leave this town. I could not help making his sister considerable presents this morning, which cost a great deal of money; and, if his power should be at an end, all would be thrown away; he ought to reimburse me. _Reiss._ But those presents have been returned, I understand. _Sell._ Without the least injury! but my expence was heavy. I must lose by those things, if I were to dispose of them. Could not you manage so by your authority, that he should take them at prime cost? _Reiss._ No, I employ my authority to better purposes. _Sell._ Good heaven! the gown of rose satin alone cost me-- _Reiss._ (displeased.) Let it be converted into a morning-gown for yourself.