_Mr. D._ Too well have I feared--too well have I guessed at such things. Hence it is that Augusta looks always as if oppressed by conscious guilt--hence her reserve towards me.--Has not this unhappy guardianship given me uneasiness enough? Has not my life been sufficiently embittered? Have I not sacrificed enough of my peace? must I also sacrifice my only child? _Mrs. D._ I do not see why. _Mr. D._ No, no, you do not see--if you did, you would not stand there so calmly. _Mrs. D._ And why are you so terrified? That he is lively--sometimes wild? He is young. _Mr. D._ Lively? wild? young? No, no.--Immoral, dissolute, hypocritical; that is the character of Lewis Brook.--And shall he the husband of my Augusta? When I quit the world, shall I leave to him the child of my heart? To him? Oh, you have brought me bad news! _Mrs. D._ You see every thing in such gloomy colours! I agree he is inconsiderate--_very_ inconsiderate; and certainly while he remains as he is, I shall not think of marriage: but love will bring him back. _Mr. D._ What can you hope from such levity? _Mrs. D._ More than from the insensibility of his brother. _Mr. D._ Do you speak of my good Philip thus? Oh, had you told me that she loved _him_--whatever I could spare--my whole fortune--yes, she should have had it all--Then we had been the happiest of parents. _Mrs. D._ I see no happiness, in our daughter's being shut up with such an eternal grumbler. _Mr. D._ Oh! but his heart is noble! _Mrs. D._ An inconsiderate mind is better than such sour virtue, if indeed it deserves the name. _Mr. D._ I own I am disappointed in both of them. _Mrs. D._ I fear, my dear Drave, your mode of education has contributed to make them hate each other. _Mr. D._ Hate? Philip hate?--Never.----If Lewis does, I am sorry. _Mrs. D._ He cannot love such sour behaviour--he does not hate--but he is cold--they have not spoken to each other these three months. _Mr. D._ We must put an end to this. They must see each other, come to an explanation, and all will be well. Lewis esteems you--prevail on him to meet his brother with kindness. _Mrs. D._ Willingly.--And now concerning Augusta--what will you do? _Mr. D._ [thoughtfully]. Now I see clearly--now I can account for many strange things: it is too true--her passion is too deeply rooted to be overcome. I will never force her inclination--but I must first be certain that Lewis really loves her. _Mrs. D._ I hope to satisfy you in that point. His declarations are sufficiently explicit. _Mr. D._ Suppose what you tell me to be true, the young Counsellor's visits must be declined. _Mrs. D._ Why so?