Well. Not quite so.
Reiss. I beg your pardon; does not Article V. say--
Well. If you avail yourself of that plea, and the good spirit has forsaken you, what must be the awful result! Think in time; what, to barter everlasting happiness for a few pieces of yellow dirt! Now I have done. (Rises.)
Reiss. The fifth article says, "that if ever"--Stop a little; I have the will at hand. (Goes into the closet.)
Well. I see there is nothing to be done here. God have mercy upon this obstinate man!--Has he not even tried to tempt me with his wine, that I might do what is evil? But heaven be praised, he did not succeed; and how easily might he have succeeded, though my nerves are worn out with age and infirmities! Besides, it is a very strong wine; (takes the glass, and smells to it.) Very strong! (looks at it;) rather feculent. (Puts the glass down, walks a few steps, and seems to muse.) Hem! (examines Reissman's glass.) This one is fine; (looks again at his own glass;) this is not so. (Puts it down.) This glass came out of the second bottle. He has not drank of that, I think. No, he has not, I now recollect. Perhaps,--but that is very wicked,-- perhaps not content with intoxication, he thought to get me to do the evil that is in his soul? Such men are not to be trusted; their notions are abominable. Perhaps he mixed some intoxicating ingredient in this wine? He is capable of such an action; for, otherwise, why should he press me to drink? Then my soul would have perished at the same time with my philosophy!--I must know that; I will have it examined; and, if so, I will thank God for my deliverance, and withdraw my hand for ever from the obdurate sinner. (Takes both bottles, and goes away with them. When he has left the room, Reissman comes out of the closet with the will.)
Reiss. Look you here; here it expressly says.--Where is he? (Looks out of the door, comes back, claps his hands together; pours the wine that is in the two glasses out of the window; puts them in his pocket; goes once more to the door, at which the Lawyer went out. He is in a violent agitation; wipes the table very carefully with his handkerchief; carries it into the closet, out of which he returns with his hat and cane, and is going out by the door towards the street. When he is at the door he returns, carefully examines the chair on which the Lawyer has been seated, passes his handkerchief over it, carries both chairs into the closet, examines the floor where the chairs stood, and precipitately exit.)
SCENE V.
Master Clarenbach's house.
Master Clarenbach, Sophia.
Clar. Step in here, child! here you are, if not rich, at least safe. You have now done your duty as a daughter. Now recommend the perverse man to heaven, and let things take their course.