P. Coun. Sir, the pupil may yet recede.
Reiss. If the master will let him; but the master holds him in his hand. If he recedes, mind that he must shrink into his original insignificance. He must hide from this world, for I--I shall not fall alone. If I fall, the ground around shall tremble! Do you take me?
P. Coun. Horrid and abominable!
Reiss. Perhaps you imagine, that I have transformed the carpenter's son into a privy counsellor, merely for the sake of having him for a son-in-law? or because you are master of a tolerable good stile? No, you shall serve me, because you are both good enough and bad enough for the purpose.
P. Coun. But I will not, I will not! I say, with all the resolution, with all the exertion of every one of those good feelings which you would sear and benumb.
Reiss. Too late. You are so entangled, that you can neither advance nor recede. You are fixed where I have placed you.--Thus much for the present. Now leave me in my native good humour. As to the old lawyer, I can soon manage him, never fear--Get the better of your squeamish conscience, and come to dinner.
P. Coun. I cannot.
Reiss. I desire it,--I insist upon it.
SCENE VIII.
Enter Counsellor Selling.