FRANCIS. Really, Hermann! dost thou wish that I were master? But my father has the marrow of a lion in his bones, and I am but a younger son. HERMANN. I wish you were the eldest son, and that your father were as marrowless as a girl sinking in a consumption. FRANCIS. Ha! how that elder son would recompense thee! How he would raise thee from this grovelling condition, so ill suited to thy spirit and noble birth, to be a light of the age!--Then shouldst thou be covered with gold from head to foot, and dash through the streets four in hand--verily thou shouldst!--But I am losing sight of what I meant to say.--Have you already forgotten the Lady Amelia, Hermann? HERMANN. A curse upon it! Why do you remind me of her? FRANCIS. My brother has filched her away from you. HERMANN. He shall rue it. FRANCIS. She gave you the sack. And, if I remember right, he kicked you down stairs. HERMANN. For which I will kick him into hell. FRANCIS. He used to say, it was whispered abroad, that your father could never look upon you without smiting his breast and sighing, "God be merciful to me, a sinner!" HERMANN (wildly). Thunder and lightning! No more of this! FRANCIS. He advised you to sell your patent of nobility by auction, and to get your stockings mended with the proceeds. HERMANN. By all the devils in hell, I'll scratch out his eyes with my own nails! FRANCIS. What? you are growing angry? What signifies your anger? What harm can you do him? What can a mouse like you do to such a lion? Your rage only makes his triumph the sweeter. You can do nothing more than gnash your teeth, and vent your rage upon a dry crust. HERMANN (stamping). I will grind him to powder! FRANCIS (slapping his shoulder). Fie, Hermann! You are a gentleman. You must not put up with the affront. You must not give up the lady, no, not for all the world, Hermann! By my soul, I would move heaven and earth were I in your place. HERMANN. I will not rest till I have him, and him, too, under ground. FRANCIS. Not so violent, Hermann! Come nearer--you shall have Amelia. HERMANN. That I must; despite the devil himself, I will have her. FRANCIS. You shall have her, I tell you; and that from my hand. Come closer, I say.--You don't know, perhaps, that Charles is as good as disinherited. HERMANN (going closer to him). Incredible! The first I have heard of it. FRANCIS. Be patient, and listen! Another time you shall hear more.-- Yes, I tell you, as good as banished these eleven months. But the old man already begins to lament the hasty step, which, however, I flatter myself (with a smile) is not entirely his own. Amelia, too, is incessantly pursuing him with her tears and reproaches. Presently he will be having him searched for in every quarter of the world; and if he finds him--then it's all over with you, Hermann. You may perhaps have the honor of most obsequiously holding the coach-door while he alights with the lady to get married. HERMANN. I'll strangle him at the altar first.