ned
_Aarbach_.

Now for the letters--[opens a paper containing a portrait]. My uncle's
portrait! He was my mother's dearest brother, [takes another paper]
How! Letters in your father's own hand-writing, full of bribes! [Takes
another packet] "Letters of Mr. Verrini at Petersburgh, shewing that
the expences of the corn distributed, amounted to only to 20,000
rix-dollars; and the attestations of the clerks employed, shewing that
38,000 were charged." [Looks at another packet] What is this? "My will,
in case I should die suddenly." [Opens it] "On condition that my
brother Lewis Brook saves and supports my uncle, in case I shall not
have done it, I declare him the sole heir of all my property."

_Lewis_ [after a pause, to the Counsellor]. Look at me.

_Counsellor_ [with coldness, and slowly]. Why?

_Lewis_ [with rising passion]. Do you observe nothing?

_Counsellor._ What? No!

_Lewis._ You have no presentiment?

_Counsellor._ Why?

_Lewis._ Does no secret foreboding tell you, that some, merciful angel
comes to bring back a deluded heart?--You see, observe nothing?
Approach--feel here--feel how my heart beats--repentance, compassion on
my unhappy uncle; and perdition, revenge on you!

_Counsellor._ What? what, Lewis!

_Lewis._ You are discovered, villain; you and your father are lost for
ever.

_Counsellor._ Surely you will not--why?

_Lewis._ From frailties you lead me to faults, from faults to
crimes--now you would lead me to horrors----I am esteemed a sharer in
your villainy; every body despises me: the worst of criminals will
blush at my company.

_Counsellor._ But you have promised----

_Lewis._ Silence! sit down--write to your father: tell him the family
will make some discoveries. I will have him in my power, to prevent his
schemes, and to dictate my will to him.

_Counsellor._ No, never.

_Lewis_ [drawing his sword]. Write, or in one instant thou art a dead
man.

_Counsellor_ [sits down and writes a note. Lewis examines it, and takes
it with the other papers]. I see very well, Sir! but triumph not too
soon.

_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 w