_Mrs. Bev._ My uncle!--O heavens!
_Char._ How heard you of his death?
_Jar._ His steward came express, madam: I met him in the street, enquiring for your lodgings. I should not rejoice, perhaps; but he was old, and my poor master a prisoner--Now he shall live again--O, "tis a brave fortune! and "twas death to me to see him a prisoner.
_Char._ Where left you the steward?
_Jar._ I would not bring him hither, to be a witness of your distresses--and besides, I wanted once before I die, to be the messenger of joy t"you. My good master will be a man again.
_Mrs. Bev._ Haste, haste then; and let us fly to him!--We are delaying our own happiness.
_Jar._ I had forgot a coach, madam; and Lucy has ordered one.
_Mrs. Bev._ Where was the need of that? The news has given me wings.
_Char._ I have no joy, till my poor brother shares it with me. How did he pa.s.s the night, Jarvis?
_Jar._ Why now, madam, I can tell you. Like a man dreaming of death and horrors. When they led him to his cell--for "twas a poor apartment for my master--he flung himself upon a wretched bed, and lay speechless till day-break. A sigh now and then, and a few tears that followed those sighs, were all that told me he was alive.
I spoke to him, but he would not hear me; and when I persisted, he raised his hand at me, and knit his brow so--I thought he would have struck me.
_Mrs. Bev._ O miserable! But what said he, Jarvis? Or was he silent all night?
_Jar._ At day-break he started from the bed, and looking wildly at me, asked who I was. I told him, and bid him be of comfort--Begone, old wretch, says he--I have sworn never to know comfort--My wife! my child! my sister! I have undone them all, and will know no comfort--Then letting go his hold, and falling upon his knees, he imprecated curses on himself.
_Mrs. Bev._ This is too horrible!--But you did not leave him so?
_Char._ No, I am sure he did not.
_Jar._ I had not the heart, madam. By degrees I brought him to himself. A shower of tears came to his relief; and then he called me his kindest friend, and begged forgiveness of me like a child--I was a child too, when he begged forgiveness of me; my heart throbbed so, I could not speak to him. He turned from me for a minute or two, and suppressing a few bitter sighs, enquired after his wretched family--Wretched was his word, madam--Asked how you bore the misery of last night--If you had goodness enough to see him in prison--And then begged me to hasten to you. I told him he must be more himself first--He promised me he would; and, bating a few sullen intervals, he became composed and easy. And then I left him; but not without an attendant; a servant in the prison, whom I hired to wait upon him.
"Tis an hour since we parted: I was prevented in my haste, to be the messenger of joy t"you.
_Mrs. Bev._ What a tale is this?--But we have staid too long--A coach is needless.
_Char._ Hark! I hear one at the door.
_Jar._ And Lucy comes to tell us--We"ll away this moment.
_Mrs. Bev._ To comfort him, or die with him.
[_Exeunt._
SCENE IV. _changes to STUKELY"s lodgings_.
_Enter STUKELY, BATES, and DAWSON._
_Stu._ Here"s presumptive evidence at least: or if we want more, why, we must swear more. But all unwillingly: we gain credit by reluctance. I have told you how to proceed. Beverley must die. We hunt him in view now, and must not slacken in the chace. "Tis either death for Him, or shame and punishment for Us. Think of that, and remember your instructions. You, Bates, must to the prison immediately: I would be there but a few minutes before you. And you, Dawson, must follow in a few minutes after. So here we divide--But answer me; are you resolved upon this business like men?
_Bates._ Like villains rather--But you may depend upon us.
_Stu._ Like what we are then--You make no answer, Dawson--Compa.s.sion, I suppose, has seized you.
_Daw._ No; I have disclaimed it. My answer is Bates"s--You may depend upon me.
_Stu._ Consider the reward! Riches and security! I have sworn to divide with you to the last shilling. So here we separate, till we meet in prison. Remember your instructions, and be men.
[_Exeunt._
SCENE V. _changes to a prison._
_BEVERLEY is discovered sitting. After a short pause, he starts up, and comes forward._
_Bev._ Why, there"s an end then. I have judged deliberately, and the result is death. How the self-murderer"s account may stand, I know not. But this I know; the load of hateful life oppresses me too much. The horrors of my soul are more than I can bear--(_Offers to kneel_) Father of mercy!--I cannot pray--Despair has laid his iron hand upon me, and sealed me for perdition--Conscience! conscience!
thy clamours are too loud--Here"s that shall silence them. (_Takes a vial out of his pocket, and looks at it._) Thou art most friendly to the miserable. Come then, thou cordial for sick minds! come to my heart! (_Drinks_) O, that the grave would bury memory as well as body! For if the soul sees and feels the sufferings of those dear ones it leaves behind, the EVERLASTING has no vengeance to torment it deeper--I"ll think no more on"t--Reflection comes too late. Once there was a time for"t--but now "tis past--Who"s there?
SCENE VI.
_Enter JARVIS._
_Jar._ One that hoped to see you with better looks. Why do you turn so from me? I have brought comfort with me--And see who comes to give it welcome!
_Bev._ My wife and sister! Why, "tis but one pang more then, and farewel world.
[_Aside._
SCENE VII.
_Enter Mrs. BEVERLEY, and CHARLOTTE._
_Mrs. Bev._ Where is he? (_Runs and embraces him_) O, I have him!
I have him! And now they shall never part us more! I have news, love, to make you happy for ever--but don"t look coldly on me.
_Char._ How is it, brother?
_Mrs. Bev._ Alas! he hears us not. Speak to me, love. I have no heart to see you thus.
_Bev._ Nor I to bear the sense of so much shame. This is a sad place.
_Mrs. Bev._ We come to take you from it; to tell you that the world goes well again; that providence has seen our sorrows, and sent the means to heal them--Your uncle died yesterday.
_Bev._ My uncle!--No, do not say so--O! I am sick at heart!
_Mrs. Bev._ Indeed!--I meant to bring you comfort. _Bev._ Tell me he lives then--If you would give me comfort, tell me he lives.
_Mrs. Bev._ And if I did, I have no power to raise the dead. He died yesterday.
_Bev._ And I am heir to him?