y brother?

_Clar._ I am told all this by strangers. Can he turn out so, because he
is a greater man than I? or, perhaps, he is altogether bad.--God knows!

_Fred._ He is so full of business.

_Clar._ So am I.

_Fred._ Those that work with the head are apt to be more absent than
those that work with the hand.

_Clar._ But is it not a real relaxation to act according to the
dictates of the heart? or have the hearts of those people nothing to do
with their concerns? If so, they are wretched beings indeed, and I am
very sorry for my son, that he must first lose the treasures of his
heart to hoard up gold. [Exit.

SCENE IX.

FREDERICA, GERNAU.

_Fred._ Tell me immediately, dear Gernau, what is the matter between
you and my brother?

_Gern._ He is not a good man, Frederica.

_Fred._ Shall I go to him, Gernau?

_Gern._ Do not embitter my life, good soul; I have trouble enough
besides. Your brother will drive me away.

_Fred._ What?

_Gern._ He will throw me out of my office.

_Fred._ Why?

_Gern._ To put a more accommodating man in my place.

_Fred._ He does not wish to do that certainly, nor could he even effect
it.

_Gern._ He is all-powerful here; his abilities, his connections at
Court, his office, render every thing possible that he wishes to
atchieve.

_Fred._ And what does he want of you? what displeases him?

_Gern._ Under the pretence of promoting agriculture, he wants the best
part of the forest for himself, which is of no great use to the
community. And this pretended plea is a garden, he means to lay out in
the English style for his own pleasure.

_Fred._ And should not an industrious man be indulged with some
pleasure?

_Gern._ Should he wish to have it at the expence of the public? I must
oppose it.

_Fred._ Does he know it?

_Gern._ Yes, he behaved so haughtily to me.

_Fred._ And you--

_Gern._ I thought on his sister,--and held my tongue.

_Fred._ (reaches him her hand.) Gernau!

_Gern._ He threatened me!

_Fred._ And you?

_Gern._ I curbed my passion. He bid me be gone,--and I shall not
trouble him again.

_Fred._ And what do you intend to do as to the forest?

_Gern._ My duty.

_Fred._ (draws back her hand.) Oh!

_Gern._ Yes, yes! It will cost me your hand, I foresee.

_Fred._ Never!--my affection is fixed, and can never be diverted from
the dear object.--Your comp