_Clerk_ [to the Counsellor]. Will you ask My Lord, if agreeable-- _Counsellor._ Yes, yes, immediately [going]. Astonishing! Mr. Philip here! [Exit. _Lewis._ My brother? here! in this house? It is strange. _Clerk._ So I think: my curiosity is raised. I never spoke to him. _Counsellor_ [returning]. Very happy to see him. _Clerk_ [rings the bell. To a servant who enters] Bid the gentleman walk up. _Lewis._ I'll go. I have nothing to do with him. _Counsellor._ Well; go awhile to my father. Do you, Mr. Worms, keep him company till my father comes.--He conceives that he is come to intercede. We must try to gain a little time. _Clerk._ Very well; I long to get acquainted with him---- _Counsellor._ Hush! he is coming. [Exit with Lewis.--Clerk steps aside]. (Enter Servant, followed by PHILIP.) _Serv._ Be so good as to wait here a few minutes; My Lord will come directly. [Exit. _Philip_ [not observing the Clerk]. Now I am here.----At length--Oh, my heart---- _Clerk._ Sir! _Philip_ [turning hastily]. Hah! I beg your pardon; I did not know---- _Clerk._ My Lord is very sorry that indispensable business obliges him to detain you for a few moments, but he will hasten to have the honour---- _Philip_ [walking up and down]. Very well. _Clerk._ I am very happy that chance thus gives me an opportunity of commencing an acquaintance with you. _Philip._ You cannot tell how long this business may last; it grows late, and I am in haste. _Clerk._ Not long, I dare say---Be seated, Mr. Brook. [Both sit down]. Indeed the future alliance of My Lord's family and yours---- _Philip._ By what means? _Clerk._ By the marriage of Miss Fleffel with your brother. _Philip_ [surprised]. So! [Politely) I did not know it before [looks at his watch]. _Clerk._ It will afford My Lord great satisfaction, as the honour of your company---- _Philip._ It grows very late; must I wait long? _Clerk._ No, Sir! but [pointing to the chair], be so kind---- _Philip._ Pardon me, I cannot sit--[aside] my blood, my blood---- _Clerk._ Are you indisposed? _Philip._ Yes--but you think he will come soon? Clerk [offended]. Mr. Brook dislikes my company! _Philip._ Company in general. [Pointing to a door, and going up to it] Is that the room? _Clerk._ Give me leave, Sir: I will inform My Lord of your haste. [Exit. _Philip._ Oh, patience, patience! good heaven! in this very room--here--here have I supplicated for my uncle; here have I wept, gone on my knees, to obtain his liberty. My tears were derided, I was driven away.--Then I was but a child--now I am a man; outraged humanity calls upon me. At this very moment, perhaps, my uncle is suffering the extremities of hunger, of misery and despair.--Gracious Heaven, grant me a composed mind! _Clerk entering._ My Lord will immediately do himself the honour-- please to be seated, Sir. _Philip._ I am not fit for conversation: I will walk into the gallery--you will call me. [Exit. _Clerk._ A very strange man this!