Enter LEWIS BROOK. _Counsellor._ Where, in the name of fortune, have you been raking all this time? Your affair with Drave is in great forwardness. _Lewis._ So? Already? _Counsellor._ Certainly--'Tis singular enough, that you should live next door to him, and know nothing of the matter. _Lewis._ Yes; but I seldom come home. I was with Paulino. We had such excellent wine, and such a pleasant party! _Counsellor._ Very well; but for the present you must let your excellent wine and agreeable parties alone, and keep out of the way, to avoid troublesome questions or entreaties. Now attend to me. _Lewis._ Must I absolutely hear? _Counsellor._ Yes, yes, _Lewis._ From agreeable company, to your tiresome law-suits, I hate it. _Counsellor._ Drave hinted an intention of making a declaration. _Lewis_ [stretching in his chair and yawning]. Well; to what effect? _Counsellor._ That he could not pay instantly--by degrees only; and asked for delay. _Lewis_ [as before]. Go on, go on. _Counsellor._ You understand. Your claims must be enforced; seals therefore were put on. _Lewis_ [hastily rising]. How? what do you say? Seals put on? No, I disapprove that! _Counsellor._ Why? it was unavoidable! quite so, I assure you. _Lewis_ [with warmth]. But he will be entirely ruined. _Counsellor_ [smiling]. Oh, no, depend upon it. They have made pretty good use of your property at Rose's--They have embezzled enough--every body knows it, and we have proofs. _Lewis._ Then, indeed, a slight correction will not hurt this prating moralist. _Counsellor._ By this means too, I hope to pave the way for my love to Augusta. _Lewis._ How so? _Counsellor._ Why, what will she do now? Reduced to poverty, she must thank me for my protection. I will procure her a situation with my aunt at Bonn. _Lewis._ For shame! _Counsellor._ Why so? she is clever--understands music--Depend upon it she will be comfortable. She shall keep the old lady company, and read or sing to her. _Lewis._ What a mean fellow you are! _Counsellor._ Is not that better than an abandoned life? _Lewis._ How? Could I ever drive her to that? _Counsellor._ You are like a baby; if you have not playthings, you cry. _Lewis._ But dam'me, 'tis downright baseness! _Counsellor_ [laughing]. Fantastical nonsense! Things have different sides: that which in common life, you call honesty, is bungler's work in politics. _Lewis_ [looking sharply at him]. So! _Counsellor._ Apropos--the accounts of Drave's guardianship are brought; there we shall discover his impositions. _Lewis._ I don't mind him; but Augusta, and her mother----No, that shall not be. Enter the Chancellor's Clerk. _Clerk._ Gentlemen, there is a person waiting for My Lord; guess who? _Lewis._ I don't care. _Clerk._ One I should never have expected to see here. _Counsellor._ Who is it? _Clerk_ [to Lewis]. Your brother. _Lewis._ My brother? _Counsellor._ God bless me! Mr. Philip.