Sophia, Privy Counsellor Clarenbach.
Sophia wipes her eyes.
P. Coun. (after a pause.) Why does my dear Sophia weep?
Soph. My father is pleased with you.
P. Coun. I see I am the cause of your grief.
Soph. Does your conscience tell you so?
P. Coun. Your tears do.
Soph. (after a pause.) Well, then, answer my tears. P, Coun. (shrugs up his shoulders.) The dead letter has decided in this business, as it does in many more, where our feelings would decide in a different manner, but dare not.
Soph. And dare not!--Further--
P. Coun. Further it fills me with the deepest distress to see my Sophia thus distressed. I am not to blame. I would give any thing to alter the circumstance.