feelings, to see your foster parents ruined, undone by the son of her
who was my dearest friend and your mother; by the son of Maria!

_Lewis._ Oh, forbear!

_Mrs. D._ You have feigned love to my daughter, have vowed fidelity to
her: she loves, and must ever love you.--You forsake her now--She
will decline by degrees, and at length sink into her grave, which
perhaps--we must beg for her.

_Lewis._ Oh, cease! cease!

_Mrs. D._ Should you become a husband, a father--then, when you regard
your child as I now do mine, may the remembrance of these moments never
sit heavy on your heart!--Now my last word: I release you from all your
promises--I forgive you. With this wish let us part for ever--God
forgive you, as I do! [Going.

_Lewis_ [detaining her]. Oh, Madam! had not Mr. Drave been so unkind to
me, I should now perhaps have been happy with Augusta!--Yes, yes, I
love her still; and Heaven be my witness----

_Mrs. D._ Do not mistake me; I mean not to awaken compassion for my
daughter. If you arc sincere, restore my husband.

_Lewis._ I here vow----

_Mrs. D._ Then first save your brother, who is persecuted for a noble
action.

_Lewis._ A noble action? Which of his mean attempts can you call by
that title?

_Mrs. D._ [surprised]. What did you say?

_Lewis._ Shall I release him, when he only seeks, my destruction?

_Mrs. D._ He? he seek your destruction?

_Lewis._ His design was to enforce the clause of my father's will: for
this purpose, he went to-day to the Chancellor's; but his scheme
failing, he forgot the mask of virtue which he had assumed, and
exhibited the rage of a disappointed demon.

_Mrs. D._ Who imposed this falsehood upon you?--No! no. He came forward
to defend Drave, threatened to disclose secrets.--They fear him! and
for this reason he was arrested.

_Lewis._ But still his pocket-book contains the proofs of his base
intentions.

_Mrs. D._ Have you seen it?

_Lewis._ No!

_Mrs. D._ And believe so lightly?

_Lewis._ Why, the Chancellor----

_Mrs. D._ Is the person who put your uncle in prison. Lewis, save your
brother, he is innocent.

_Lewis._ Well, they shall shew me the pocket-book; but you will
find----

_Mrs. D._ Go rather to your brother's lodgings; the Counsellor is
there, examining his writings--go immediately--be speedy.

_Lewis._ Well, I will satisfy you. It is not far--Under some pretext I
will bring the Counsellor himself into this very room; then you shall
be witnes