_Mrs. D._ A stranger? _Clerk._ Of acquaintance rather. _Mrs. D._ [at a loss]. I think not. _Clerk_ [harshly]. No evasion, Madam! That he is in the house, I know: where is he? _Mrs. D._ Sir! _Clerk._ Answer! where is he? My attendants can open doors, and concealment will be dangerous. Where is he? _Mrs. D._ [sits down]. Up stairs. _Clerk_ [going]. Alone, or somebody with him? _Mrs. D._ Mr. Brook and his son are with him. _Clerk._ His son? what do you mean? _Mrs. D._ The Counsellor. _Clerk._ What Counsellor? _Mrs. D._ Do not torment me so.--Counsellor Fleffel. _Clerk._ So; My Lord has doubtless come to examine himself. Did he say any thing? _Mrs. D._ No! _Clerk._ Is there no fourth person with him? no old man? _Mrs. D._ No! yes! Oh, torture me no more! _Clerk._ I shall examine--do you remain here, Madam. [Exit. _Mrs. D._ [goes up to the door and calls]. Augusta! Frederick! Augusta! Enter AUGUSTA and FREDERICK. _Mrs. D._ What an accident! The Chancellor's clerk is here, in search of the old man. I misunderstood him, and told him the Chancellor was here; he is gone up stairs. Frederick, see if the house be free; we must save the old man. [Exit Serv. _Augusta._ Have you heard of my father? _Mrs. D._ No, good God! no!--The old man, how is he? does he sleep? _Augusta._ So softly, so quietly! Alas! it is long, I fear, since he has slept so. _Mrs. D._ Wake him; he must go: wake him. [Exit Augusta. _Servant entering._ The hall is full of constables; but, I will try to lead him down the back stairs, and through the warehouse. _Mrs. D._ Go, quick; lead him away, before the clerk returns. (Enter Augusta, with the Old Man.) _Old Man._ You tear me from my sleep; what will you do with me? (Chancellor and Clerk from behind the Scenes). _Clerk._ Where? answer, My Lord, where? _Chancellor._ Here! help! here! _Mrs. D._ Almighty God, they are discovered! From behind / _Chancellor._ Break the door open. the Scenes. \ _Lewis._ Stop! on your life, stop! (Noise of forcing a door). _Clerk._ _From behind._ God be praised! Enter CLERK, a handkerchief round his head, calling at the door. _Clerk._ A surgeon! quick!----Villains. _Chancellor_ [entering hastily, embraces the Clerk]. You are my saving angel. Thank God. _Clerk._ My hand is crushed. _Chancellor._ I'll pay for the cure. [To the Constables who enter] You are come? [To the Clerk]. Now, my friend--be Brook secured--my coach, called--the orders of release countermanded--the other Brook and Drave secured again; [exit Clerk] you--you shall pay---- _Mrs. D._ Have compassion, My Lord! _Chancellor._ On you? To assault me! to extort orders from me by violence! Oh, you shall pay for it, I promise you. (Enter CLERK with some papers).