sacrificed the husband's peace, his joy, and best affections, to avarice and infamy.

Stuke. I have resolved like you; and, since our motives are so honest, why should we fear success? Bev. Come on, then-Where shall we meet ?

Stuke. At Wilson's-Yet if it hurts you, leave me : I have misled you often.

Bev. We have misled each other-But come! Fortune is fickle, and may be tired with plaguing usThere let us rest our hopes.

Stuke. Yet think a little

Bev. I cannot-thinking but distracts me.

When desperation leads, all thoughts are vain;
Reason would lose what rashness may obtain.

[Exeunt.

SCENE II.

BEVERLEY'S Lodgings.

Enter MRS BEVERLEY and CHARLOTTE.

Char. 'Twas all a scheme, a mean one; unworthy of my brother.

Mrs Bev. No, I am sure it was not-Stukely is honest too; I know he is-This madness has undone them both.

Char. My brother irrecoverably-You are too spiritless a wife-A mournful tale, mixed with a few kind words, will steal away your soul. The world's too subtle for such goodness. Had I been by, he should have asked your life sooner than those jewels.

Mrs Bev. He should have had it, then. [Warmly.]

2

I live but to oblige him. She who can love, and is beloved like me, will do as much. Men have done more for mistresses, and women for a base betrayer: and shall a wife do less? Your chidings hurt me, Charlotte.

Char. And come too late; they might have saved you else. How could he use you so?

Mrs Bev. 'Twas friendship did it. His heart was breaking for a friend.

Char. The friend that has betrayed him.
Mrs Bev. Pr'ythee don't think so.

Char. To-morrow he accounts with me.

Mrs Bev. And fairly-I will not doubt it.

Char. Unless a friend has wanted-I have no patience- Sister! sister! we are bound to curse this friend.

Mrs Bev. My Beverley speaks nobly of him.

Char. And Lewson truly-But I displease you with this talk.-To-morrow will instruct us.

Mrs Bev. Stay till it comes then-I would not think so hardly.

Char. Nor I, but from conviction-Yet we have hope of better days. My uncle is infirm, and of an age that threatens hourly-Or if he live, you never have offended him; and for distresses so unmerited he will have pity.

Mrs Bev. I know it, and am cheerful.

Char. My Lewson will be kind too. While he and I have life and means you shall divide with us. And see, he's here!

Enter LEWSON.

We were just speaking of you.

Lew. 'Tis best to interrupt you then. Few characters will bear a scrutiny; and where the bad outweighs the good, he's safest that's least talked of. What say you, madam? [To CHARLOTTE.

D

Char. That I hate scandal, though a womantherefore talk seldom of you.

Mrs Bev. Or, with more truth, that, though a woman, she loves to praise therefore talks always of you. I'll leave you to decide it. [Exit. Lew. How good and amiable! I came to talk in private with you, of matters that concern you. Char. What matters?

Lew. First answer me sincerely to what I ask.
Char. Propose your question.

Lew. 'Tis now a tedious twelvemonth since, with an open and kind heart, you said you loved me. And when, in consequence of such sweet words, I pressed for marriage, you gave a voluntary promise that you would live for me.

Char. You think me changed, then?
Lew. I did not say so.

Char. Why am I doubted?

[Angrily.

Lew. My doubts are of myself. I have my faults, and you have observation. If, from my temper, my words or actions, you have conceived a thought against me, or even a wish for separation, all that has passed is nothing.

Char. Why, now I'll answer you. Your doubts are prophecies-I am really changed.

Lew. Indeed!

Char. I could torment you now, as you have me; but it is not in my nature. That I am changed, I own; for what at first was inclination, is now grown reason in me; and from that reason, had I the world, nay, were I poorer than the poorest, and you too wanting bread-I would be yours, and happy.

Lew. My kindest Charlotte! [Taking her Hand.] Thanks are too poor for this, and words too weak! But if we loved so, why should our union be delayed?

Char. For happier times. The present are too wretched.

Lew. I may have reasons that press it now.
Char. What reasons?

Lew. The strongest reasons; unanswerable ones. Char. Be quick and name them.

Lew. First promise, that to-morrow, or the next day, you will be mine for ever.

Char. I do-though misery should succeed.

Lew. Thus then I seize you! And with you every joy on this side heaven!

Char. Now, sir, your secret.

Lew. Your fortune's lost.

Char. My fortune lost!-Where learned sad news?

you this

Lew. From Bates, Stukely's prime agent. I have obliged him, and he's grateful-He told it me in friendship, to warn me from my Charlotte.

Char. 'Twas honest in him, and I'll esteem him for it.

Lew. He knows much more than he has told.

Char. For me it is enough. And for your generous love, I thank you from my soul. If you'd oblige me more, give me a little time.

Lew. Why time? It robs us of our happiness.

Char. I have a task to learn first. The little pride this fortune gave me must be subdued; and for a life of obligations, I have not learned to bear it.

Lew. Mine is that life. You are too noble.

Char. Leave me to think on't.

Lew. To-morrow then you'll fix my happiness? Char. All that I can I will.

Lew. It must be so; we live but for each other. Keep what you know a secret; and when we meet to-morrow, more may be known.-Farewell.

[Exeunt

SCENE III.

A Room in the Gaming-House.

Enter BEVERLEY and STUKELY.

Bev. Whither would you lead me?

Stuke. Where we may rent our curses.

[Angrily.

Bev. Ay, on yourself, and those damned counsels that have destroyed me. A thousand fiends were in that bosom, and all let loose to tempt me—I had resisted else.

Stuke. Go on, sir-I have deserved this from you. Bev. And curses everlasting-Time is too scanty for them

Stuke. What have I done?

Bev. What the arch-devil of old did-soothed with false hopes for certain ruin.

Stuke. Myself unhurt; nay, pleased at your de struction-So your words mean. Why, tell it to the world. I am too poor to find a friend in't.

Bev. A friend! What's he? I had a friend.
Stuke. And have one still.

Bev. Ay; I'll tell you of this friend. He found me happiest of the happy. Fortune and honour crowned me; and love and peace lived in my heart. One spark of folly lurked there; that too he found: and by deceitful breath blew it into flames, that have consumed me. This friend were you to me.

Stuke. A little more, perhaps The friend, who gave his all to save you; and not succeeding, chose ruin with you. But no matter, I have undone you, and am a villain.

Bev. No; I think not-The villains are within.