_Gern._ Under the pretence of promoting agriculture, he wants the best part of the forest for himself, which is of no great use to the community. And this pretended plea is a garden, he means to lay out in the English style for his own pleasure. _Fred._ And should not an industrious man be indulged with some pleasure? _Gern._ Should he wish to have it at the expence of the public? I must oppose it. _Fred._ Does he know it? _Gern._ Yes, he behaved so haughtily to me. _Fred._ And you-- _Gern._ I thought on his sister,--and held my tongue. _Fred._ (reaches him her hand.) Gernau! _Gern._ He threatened me! _Fred._ And you? _Gern._ I curbed my passion. He bid me be gone,--and I shall not trouble him again. _Fred._ And what do you intend to do as to the forest? _Gern._ My duty. _Fred._ (draws back her hand.) Oh! _Gern._ Yes, yes! It will cost me your hand, I foresee. _Fred._ Never!--my affection is fixed, and can never be diverted from the dear object.--Your complaisance-- _Gern._ I have been complaisant, as far as laid in my power. I cannot be so at the expence of my duty. _Fred._ I do not insist on that either. But,--but-- _Gern._ What would you wish that your own sentiments of equity forbids you to utter? _Fred._ I only wish--I demand nothing--I only wish you to soften your rigid idea of duty, if you can. _Gern._ I know nothing but justice, that will not admit of any by-road. And if I were capable of such a sacrifice, whither would it lead me? It would lead me to see you, Selling's wife, and to laugh at me. _Fred._ Must I break with all the world, because our hearts beat in unison? Am I criminal to listen to Selling's nonsense, because he is the only man through whom I can act upon my brother? _Gern._ Then I may rely upon you? _Fred._ Undoubtedly. _Gern._ Pledge me your hand! _Fred._ With all my heart! _Gern._ Thus love will not forsake me, when I shall fall a victim to my duty. _Fred._ I know no deceit, and follow the dictates of my heart. _Gern._ In the name of heaven then I go to discharge my duty; it rewards and strengthens. Good bye, Frederica!--One more word, you are good; but are you resolute? _Fred._ I am indeed! _Gern._ Your brother has plans about you, in which I am most certainly set down for nought.--Frederica, Frederica, let him drive me hence, but not from you! _Fred._ He shall not, he cannot. And no man can render me inconstant to you, but yourself. _Gern._ Then you are mine, and I am easy. _Fred._ And owe no grudge to my brother? _Gern._ Frederica, I am an honest man. _Fred._ Whom the purest love shall reward, as far as love can reward! _Gern._ Adieu, dear Frederica! _Fred._ Adieu, Gernau! [Exeunt by opposite doors. ACT II. SCENE I. A room in the Privy Counsellor's, furnished in the modern stile. REISSMAN, LEWIS.