_Lew._ To tell you that I know you--Why this confusion? That look of guilt and terror? Is Beverley awake? Or has his wife told tales? The man that dares like You, should have a soul to justify his deeds, and courage to confront accusers. Not with a coward"s fear to shrink beneath reproof.
_Stu._ Who waits there?
[_Aloud, and in confusion._
_Lew._ By heaven, he dies that interrupts us. (_Shutting the door._) You should have weighed your strength, Sir; and then, instead of climbing to high fortune, the world had marked you for what you are, a little paultry villain.
_Stu._ You think I fear you.
_Lew._ I know you fear me. This is to prove it. (_Pulls him by the sleeve._) You wanted privacy! A lady"s presence took up your attention! Now we are alone, Sir.--Why, what a wretch! (_Flings him from him._) The vilest insect in creation will turn when trampled on; yet has this Thing undone a man--by cunning and mean arts undone him. But we have found you, Sir; traced you through all your labyrinths. If you would save yourself, fall to confession: no mercy will be shewn else.
_Stu._ First prove me what you think me. Till then, your threatenings are in vain. And for this insult, vengeance may yet be mine.
_Lew._ Infamous coward! Why, take it now then-- (_Draws, and Stukely retires._) Alas! I pity thee. Yet that a wretch like this should overcome a Beverley! it fills me with astonishment! A wretch, so mean of soul, that even desperation cannot animate him to look upon an enemy. You should not thus have soared, Sir, unless, like others of your black profession, you had a sword to keep the fools in awe, your villainy has ruined.
_Stu._ Villainy! "Twere best to curb this licence of your tongue; for know, Sir, while there are laws, this outrage on my reputation will not be borne with.
_Lew._ Laws! Dar"st Thou seek shelter from the laws? those laws, which thou and thy infernal crew live in the constant violation of?
Talk"st thou of reputation too? when under friendship"s sacred name, thou hast betrayed, robbed, and destroyed?
_Stu._ Ay, rail at gaming; "tis a rich topic, and affords n.o.ble declamation. Go, preach against it in the city: you"ll find a congregation in every tavern. If they should laugh at you, fly to my lord, and sermonize it there: he"ll thank you and reform.
_Lew._ And will example sanctify a vice? No, wretch; the custom of my lord, or of the Cit that apes him, cannot excuse a breach of law, or make the gamester"s calling reputable.
_Stu._ Rail on, I say. But is this zeal for beggared Beverley? Is it for Him that I am treated thus? No; He and His might all have groaned in prison, had but the sister"s fortune escaped the wreck, to have rewarded the disinterested love of honest Mr. Lewson.
_Lew._ How I detest thee for the thought! But thou art lost to every human feeling. Yet let me tell thee, and may it wring thy heart!
that though my friend is ruined by thy snares, thou hast unknowingly been kind to Me.
_Stu._ Have I? It was indeed unknowingly.
_Lew._ Thou hast a.s.sisted me in love; given me the merit that I wanted; since but for Thee, my Charlotte had not known "twas her dear self I sighed for, and not her fortune.
_Stu._ Thank me, and take her then.
_Lew._ And as a brother to poor Beverley, I will pursue the robber that has seized him, and s.n.a.t.c.h him from his gripe.
_Stu._ Then know, imprudent man, he _is_ within my gripe; and should my friendship for him be slandered once again, the hand that has supplied him, shall fall and crush him.
_Lew._ Why, now there"s spirit in thee! This is indeed to be a villain! But I shall reach thee yet. Fly where thou wilt, my vengeance shall pursue thee--and Beverley shall yet be saved, be saved from thee, thou monster; nor owe his rescue to his wife"s dishonour.
[_Exit_.
_Stu._ (_Pausing_) Then ruin has enclosed me. Curse on my coward heart! I would be bravely villainous; but "tis my nature to shrink at danger, and he has found me. Yet fear brings caution, and That security. More mischief must be done, to hide the past. Look to yourself, officious Lewson--there may be danger stirring--How now, Bates?
SCENE V.
_Enter BATES._
_Bates._ What is the matter? "Twas Lewson, and not Beverley, that left you. I heard him loud: you seem alarmed too.
_Stu._ Ay, and with reason. We are discovered.
_Bates._ I feared as much, and therefore cautioned you; but You were peremptory.
_Stu._ Thus fools talk ever; spending their idle breath on what is past; and trembling at the future. We must be active. Beverley, at worst, is but suspicious; but Lewson"s genius, and his hate to Me, will lay all open. Means must be found to stop him.
_Bates._ What means?
_Stu._ Dispatch him--Nay, start not--Desperate occasions call for desperate deeds. We live but by his death.
_Bates._ You cannot mean it?
_Stu._ I do, by heaven.
_Bates._ Good night then.
[_Going._
_Stu._ Stay. I must be heard, then answered. Perhaps the motion was too sudden; and human nature starts at murder, though strong necessity compels it. I have thought long of this; and my first feelings were like yours; a foolish conscience awed me, which soon I conquered. The man that would undo me, nature cries out, undo.
Brutes know their foes by instinct; and where superior force is given, they use it for destruction. Shall man do less? Lewson pursues us to our ruin; and shall we, with the means to crush him, fly from our hunter, or turn and tear him? "Tis folly even to hesitate.
_Bates._ He has obliged me, and I dare not.
_Stu._ Why, live to shame then, to beggary and punishment. You would be privy to the deed, yet want the soul to act it. Nay more; had my designs been levelled at his fortune, you had stept in the foremost.
And what is life without its comforts? Those you would rob him of; and by a lingering death, add cruelty to murder. Henceforth adieu to half-made villains--there"s danger in them. What you have got is your"s; keep it, and hide with it: I"ll deal my future bounty to those who merit it.
_Bates._ What"s the reward?
_Stu._ Equal division of our gains. I swear it, and will be just.
_Bates._ Think of the means then.
_Stu._ He"s gone to Beverley"s-- Wait for him in the street--"tis a dark night, and fit for mischief. A dagger would be useful.
_Bates._ He sleeps no more.
_Stu._ Consider the reward! When the deed"s done, I have farther business with you. Send Dawson to me.
_Bates._ Think it already done--and so farewel.
[_Exit._
_Stu._ Why, farewel Lewson then; and farewel to my fears. This night secures me. I"ll wait the event within.
[_Exit._
SCENE VI. _changes to the street. Stage darkened._
_Enter BEVERLEY._