_Lewis_ [takes his arm and leads him off].--Go on--What farther we have to say, you may expect----go on. [Exeunt. Enter MRS. DRAVE and AUGUSTA. _Mrs. D._ Was ever such malicious treachery heard of? Should Brook cowardly delay to make use of these proofs, I will develope their crimes myself. [A gentle knock is heard at the door of the room.] _Augusta._ What was that? _Mrs. D._ Nothing--be quiet--our misfortunes cannot increase. [The knock repeated twice. _Augusta._ Do you hear? _Mrs. D._ Is any body there? Come in. [The door opens; an old man with grey hairs, dressed in an old-fashioned lace suit, much tarnished, enters, and approaches timidly]. _Mrs. D._ What do you wish, my good friend? _Old Man_ [shyly]. Madam--pray, does not somebody live here--in this house----I mean Mr. Drave? _Mrs. D._ Alas! my good friend! _Old Man._ He lived here once, I think--does he not live here still? _Augusta._ Yes. _Old Man._ Can I speak to him? if you please-- _Mrs. D._ He is--he is--not here. _Old Man_ [mildly]. But he will come back? [looking at them] or is he dead? [Tenderly] Oh, if he be dead, he is happy, and I will not interrupt his peace. Enter LEWIS hastily, kisses Mrs. DRAVE's hand. _Lewis._ Too true, Madam, too true.--What had become of me but for your advice?--You are my good angel, Augusta; you will rather pity than hate me. [Perceiving the Old Man] What Old man is that? _Mrs. D._ Somebody in distress, I fear--he wants to see my husband. _Lewis_ [giving him a purse]. There, my friend, take that. _Old Man._ I do not want money. _Lewis_ [hastily]. Well, well, but pray go. _Old Man._ I want but little, Sir. _Lewis._ And what? speak! quickly. _Old Man._ Only a little place under ground, to rest in peace. _Lewis._ I pity you, good Old man--but pray take it, and go.--We have not time to hear you [leads him towards the door, and returns]. Madam, the Counsellor is secured up stairs; the Chancellor is coming---- _Old Man_ [returning slowly.] I will not leave this house again. _Lewis._ But---- _Old Man._ I cannot walk any farther [sits down]. Let me stay here, my good Sir. I shall not trouble you long; God will soon release me---- _Lewis._ But tell me, what do you want? _Old Man_ [looking round]. Good God! yes--I have often been in this house--once--long ago--but it is long, long since---- _Mrs. D._ Tell me, who are you? _Old Man._ Yes--I will tell you; for my death is not far off--observe I am terribly pursued. I was a rich--rich man: I had whole chests full of plate----lived in a great house. It is long since I wore this dress: it is in some disorder, I fear. _Lewis_ [hastily]. Speak! who are you?