SCENE III.
Enter Grobman.
Reiss. (calm and friendly.) What is your pleasure, dear Mr.----?
Grob. Benniger has obtained the monopoly.
Reiss. You do not say so, do you? Grab. The Privy Counsellor is to procure it for 2300 dollars, which sum is to be paid this afternoon.
Reiss. Impossible!
Grob. It is but too true. The money is to be paid to Counsellor Selling.
Reiss. (confidentially.) I must tell you that Selling has already mentioned something to me about it. The young man's conscience is alarmed. He does not like to lend a hand in those sort of things. But I would not believe it.
Grob. It is but too certain.
Reiss. O Lord! who could think any thing like it of such a man? that is mean, that is--that must not be permitted. Ay, ay! and the minister prefers such a man, reposes confidence in him, because men, like me, take him by the hand. They think, because such a man is of a low extraction, he must have the interest of the lower class at heart. And then he will betray and sell the state!
Grob. As an inhabitant, I ought to have the preference to a stranger.
Reiss. Most undoubtedly.
Grob. I am very willing to go to some expence too, only--
Reiss. Not a single penny; God forbid I should be guilty of such a sin! That contract with Benniger must be annulled.
Grob. If that were possible, I would with all my heart--
Reiss. Ay, it must be so. I am very intimate with the Privy Counsellor. He was to have my daughter; but I will never give her to a man like him. You must furnish me immediately with a plea, in which you must develope the whole transaction.
Grob. Good God! the Privy Counsellor!
Reiss. I give you my word and hand, as an honest man, I will run all the consequences. In such a case one is in conscience bound; only let me have the declaration immediately. I will manage in such a manner that the Privy Counsellor shall come off with tolerable good credit.
Grob. If you will do that--
Reiss. Yes, yes, yes!
Grob. But Counsellor Selling--
Reiss. Is a young man;--out of fear of displeasing the Privy Counsellor, he has lent his aid. Such a young man may yet be taught in time. That is my principal object.
Grob. Well, the declaration shall be drawn up without delay. Heaven bless you, dear Sir, for thus taking the part of a poor fellow-townsman!
[Exit.
Reiss. My duty, my duty!--Bravo, little Selling, that is prettily managed!