SCENE II.
Enter Counsellor Selling.
Sell. Oh, dear Sir, what shall we do now? I have read that Benniger such a lecture, and taken the money ad depositum. But, good heaven! that fellow is a wild ferocious beast. He says, it is a bargain; that the receiver is the thief, and not the bidder. He insists on having the patent for the monopoly dispatched; if not, he swears he will play the deuce.
Reiss. So much the better; let him do his best.
Sell. Ah, but, dear Sir, he does not say a word against the Privy Counsellor; you and I are the scape-goats; every nerve trembles.
Reiss. So you are quite alarmed?
Sell. Truly.
Reiss. The rogue intended to bribe, and of course is liable to a heavy punishment.
Sell. But then he is a stranger.
Reiss. Have him arrested, then he can do no harm.
Sell. But he can talk a good deal for all that.
Reiss. That is my business. Have him arrested.
Sell. But the Prime Minister--
Reiss. Is at a great distance, and do not you know, though I do not publicly affect it, that I am the prime minister of this country. Arrest him, I say.
Sell. Very well. But then I have--
Reiss. What else? To the point!
Sell. A concern, that lies very near my heart. I am told the Privy Counsellor is to resign,--and perhaps to leave this town. I could not help making his sister considerable presents this morning, which cost a great deal of money; and, if his power should be at an end, all would be thrown away; he ought to reimburse me.
Reiss. But those presents have been returned, I understand.
Sell. Without the least injury! but my expence was heavy. I must lose by those things, if I were to dispose of them. Could not you manage so by your authority, that he should take them at prime cost?
Reiss. No, I employ my authority to better purposes.
Sell. Good heaven! the gown of rose satin alone cost me--
Reiss. (displeased.) Let it be converted into a morning-gown for yourself.
Sell. A morning-gown!--Ay, that will do. Rose colour becomes my complexion. I thank you, it shall. I will have it lined with lawn. I will have it made up directly. (Going.)
Reiss. And have the fellow secured.
Sell. Directly! the morning-gown made up, and the fellow arrested! I thank you for extricating me out of this embarrassment.
[Exit.
Reiss. Blockhead!--My whole existence is at stake;--once won, won for ever!