Chapter III: Part 3

_Philip_ [stopping him]. I must look thee in the face once more. Thou art a distinguished villain--Thou hast raised thyself by complicated knavery, from the dust, to exalted power. Thy soul was the price, and thou hast paid it.--Under the mask of religion thou hast been the scourge of many a noble and honest heart.--Now, behold me!--Without blood, without intrigue, armed only with a just cause, I have levelled thee with thy original dust. Go; and if thou seriously believest in a strict trial to come--repent, repent, before the gates of Eternity close upon thy dark spirit for ever. [Exit Chancellor in manifest confusion.

_Rose._ Then it is true!

_Philip._ Our Minister has observed him with attention; he has long suspected--I have given the blow--his fall is inevitable.

_Lewis_ [enters hastily, and embraces Philip]. Oh, my dear brother!

_Philip._ My dear Lewis!

_Rose_ [tenderly]. Would you not have it so? Drave?

_Drave._ Yes, yes.

_Lewis._ I am sensible of my faults, and exerted all my efforts to repair the mischief I had occasioned: but my brother alone was worthy, by his virtues, to restore the happiness I had destroyed. Oh, Drave, my father, much-injured father! my mother--Augusta, my Augusta, can you forgive? Can repentance----

_Philip._ Drave, he is my brother, and his heart is good.

_Lewis._ Oh, forgive--deny me not this----Augusta, my tutelary angel.

_Drave_ [taking Augusta's hand]. Lewis, I believe your repentance sincere. Yet, dear as my daughter is, you will not wonder that I should refuse to resign her to you, till I shall see reason to be satisfied that you are entirely reformed. I confess, however, that I do not feel disposed to put your patience to a very long trial. Those downcast eyes, and this trembling hand, convince me that my decision will be approved. Take it then, Lewis, [giving him Augusta's hand] and live with the hope, I might say the certainty, that I shall shortly bestow it on you for ever.

_Lewis._ Oh, my father! it is more than I deserved, or could have dared to hope--never will I give you cause to repent of your confidence.

_Drave_ [leading Augusta to Rose]. Rose, I give you a daughter, who shall console you in your old-age! [To the old man] Good old father, here are your children again.

(PHILIP and LEWIS embrace their uncle.)

_Old Man._ God's blessings be upon you, my children! Children of my dear Maria in Heaven--support me in your arms, which broke my chains--In them I will expire, with prayers for your happiness, with blessings on thee, Philip, my supporter and guardian angel.

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