_P. Coun._ He uttered all these benefactions in such a hurry-- _Fred._ And at the same time looked nobody in the face-- _Gern._ And then he ran away. _Clar._ I never saw a man do so much good in so ungracious a manner. _Soph._ Good God! but he has done it after all, and-- _Clar._ Well, well; but how did it come about? _Well._ Never ask that question again!--never! Do you understand me? _Clar._ We thank God it is so; why should we enquire how it came to be so? _Well._ That is right, friend Clarenbach! (To the Privy Counsellor.) And you resign the Privy Counsellorship? _P. Coun._ My abilities are not adequate to it. _Well._ Have I not told you a hundred times, when he was what they call a Lawyer, and when he wrote with such humane feelings, with such fire, with such indefatigability, in the cause of justice,--Master Clarenbach, said I, Jack stands very high on level ground; do not suffer him to rise higher, for he will tumble down. _Clar._ It is true upon my word. _Well._ So you came down of your accord? that is well done! _P. Coun._ Henceforth I hope to prove useful to mankind. Under your guidance, I will be a Lawyer once more. _Well._ (with a smile.) Lawyer! I cannot bear that name; it conveys the idea of an entangled net, or of a deceitful guide, that will lead you out of the way into the pathless desert. We should not be called Lawyers, but the Friends of Justice. _Clar._ Yes, yes; Friends of Justice, the foes of chicanery! _Well._ Who will not plead in an unjust cause! Do you promise that? Have you the resolution to be an honest Lawyer? _P. Coun._ With the greatest pleasure. _Well._ Write little; act a good deal; take little money; have a good stock of honesty and kind intentions; apply but seldom for advice to the _corpus juris_, but often to the heart; and to the hour of death I shall esteem you. I shall lead the way by the course of nature, but it will yet be a consolation to me in my last moments to think I have left an honest man behind me,--a man that will wipe away the tears of the widow and the orphan. _Clar._ Jack, listen to the words of this good old man; let them sink deep into your heart; let them be your model! He possesses little worldly wealth; but, at the last day, what myriads that now roll in wealth would wish that they had possessed as little and done half as much good with it; but it is not for me to judge; I only say, make him your model. _P. Coun._ Dear father, I will. Enter Aulic Counsellor REISSMAN. _Reiss._ I am come to tell you what I know will please you. How sweet are the tears of repentance! how refreshing to the drooping soul! I have at last settled my accounts with my conscience; I owe much, but I will endeavour to pay all. Now I feel in earnest that I am a father, and this is my dear daughter! (Embraces Sophia.)