_Stu._ Don"t be too much alarmed, madam. All men have their errors, and their times of seeing them. Perhaps my friend"s time is not come yet. But he has an uncle; and old men don"t live for ever. You should look forward, madam: we are taught how to value a second fortune by the loss of a first.
[_A knocking at the door._
_Mrs. Bev._ Hark!--No; that knocking was too rude for Mr. Beverley.
Pray heaven he be well!
_Stu._ Never doubt it, madam. You shall be well too: every thing shall be well.
[_Knocking again._
_Mrs. Bev._ The knocking is a little loud though. Who waits there?
Will none of you answer?--None of you, did I say? Alas! I thought myself in my own house, surrounded with servants.
_Char._ I"ll go, sister--But don"t be alarmed so.
[_Exit._
_Stu._ What extraordinary accident have you to fear, madam?
_Mrs. Bev._ I beg your pardon; but "tis ever thus with me in Mr.
Beverley"s absence. No one knocks at the door, but I fancy "tis a messenger of ill news.
_Stu._ You are too fearful, madam; "twas but one night of absence; and if ill thoughts intrude (as love is always doubtful) think of your worth and beauty, and drive them from your breast.
_Mrs. Bev._ What thoughts? I have no thoughts that wrong my husband.
_Stu._ Such thoughts indeed would wrong him. The world is full of slander; and every wretch that knows himself unjust, charges his neighbour with like pa.s.sions; and by the general frailty, hides his own. If you are wise, and would be happy, turn a deaf ear to such reports: "tis ruin to believe them.
_Mrs. Bev._ Ay, worse than ruin. "Twould be to sin against conviction. Why was it mentioned?
_Stu._ To guard you against rumour. The sport of half mankind is mischief; and for a single error they make men devils. If their tales reach you, disbelieve them.
_Mrs. Bev._ What tales? By whom? Why told? I have heard nothing; or if I had, with all his errors, my Beverley"s firm faith admits no doubt. It is my safety; my seat of rest and joy, while the storm threatens round me. I"ll not forsake it. (_Stukely sighs, and looks down_) Why turn you from me? And why that sigh?
_Stu._ I was attentive, madam; and sighs will come we know not why.
Perhaps I have been too busy. If it should seem so, impute my zeal to friendship, that meant to guard you against evil tongues. Your Beverley is wronged; slandered most vilely. My life upon his truth.
_Mrs. Bev._ And mine too. Who is"t that doubts it? But no matter--I am prepared, Sir.--Yet why this caution?--You are my husband"s friend; I think you mine too; the common friend of both. (_Pauses_) I had been unconcerned else.
_Stu._ For heaven"s sake, madam, be so still! I meant to guard you _against_ suspicion, not to alarm it.
_Mrs. Bev._ Nor have you, Sir. Who told you of suspicion? I have a heart it cannot reach.
_Stu._ Then I am happy--I would say more, but am prevented.
SCENE V.
_Re-enter CHARLOTTE._
_Mrs. Bev._ Who was it, Charlotte?
_Char._ What a heart has that Jarvis!--A creditor, sister. But the good old man has taken him away. Don"t distress his wife! Don"t distress his sister! I could hear him say. "Tis cruel to distress the afflicted. And when he saw me at the door, he begged pardon that his friend had knocked so loud.
_Stu._ I wish I had known of this. Was it a large demand, madam?
_Char._ I heard not that; but visits such as these, we must expect often. Why so distressed, sister? This is no new affliction.
_Mrs. Bev._ No, Charlotte; but I am faint with watching;
quite sunk and spiritless. Will you excuse me, Sir? I"ll to my chamber, and try to rest a little.
_Stu._ Good thoughts go with you, madam.
[_Exit Mrs. Beverley._ My bait is taken then. (_Aside._) Poor Mrs. Beverley! How my heart grieves to see her thus!
_Char._ Cure her, and be a friend then.
_Stu._ How cure her, madam?
_Char._ Reclaim my brother.
_Stu._ Ay; give him a new creation; or breathe another soul into him. I"ll think on"t, madam. Advice, I see, is thankless.
_Char._ Useless I am sure it is, if through mistaken friendship, or other motives, you feed his pa.s.sion with your purse, and sooth it by example. Physicians, to cure fevers, keep from the patient"s thirsty lip the cup that would inflame him; You give it to his hands. (_A knocking._) Hark, Sir! These are my brother"s desperate symptoms.
Another creditor.
_Stu._ One not so easily got rid of--What, Lewson!
SCENE VI.
_Enter LEWSON._
_Lew._ Madam, your servant. Yours, Sir. I was enquiring for you at your lodgings.
_Stu._ This morning? You had business then?
_Lew._ You"ll call it by another name, perhaps. Where"s Mr.
Beverley, madam?
_Char._ We have sent to enquire for him.
_Lew._ Is he abroad then? He did not use to go out so early.
_Char._ No; nor to stay out so late.
_Lew._ Is that the case? I am sorry for it. But Mr. Stukely, perhaps, may direct you to him.
_Stu._ I have already, Sir. But what was your business with Me?
_Lew._ To congratulate you upon your late successes at play. Poor Beverley! But You are his friend; and there"s a comfort in having successful friends.