The Female Gamester: A Tragedy Part 8

JEFFERSON. View what? [Eagerly]

MARIA. It is a locket with her precious hair, Which she has sent by me. Refuse it not.

JEFFERSON. Refuse it!--O! whilst life exists I'll wear it, Close to that heart which is for ever hers.

I am all ecstacy, delicious woman! [He kisses it.]

MARIA. [Aside.] A lucky hit, and works as I could wish.

JEFFERSON. Gratefully thank her for the precious token.

MARIA. And now as to her present exigencies?

JEFFERSON. To what may they amount?

MARIA. About a thousand.

JEFFERSON. 'Tis quite impossible.

MARIA. Less will not do.

JEFFERSON. Besides the mischief I have done my master, I stand myself upon the verge of ruin.

MARIA. Were you to see her, you'd not lose a moment In this last act, so be yourself the messenger.

JEFFERSON. First, tell her then, that she shall be supply'd, Let the event be fatal as it may.

MARIA. Most gen'rous youth! she shall know all your goodness. [She goes off.]

JEFFERSON. How quickly every resolution vanishes!

And how am I now chang'd from what I was!

Like some weak skiff, that for a while had stood Safe on the tranquil bosom of the flood; Until at length, the mountain torrents sweep Its faint resistance headlong to the deep, Where in large gulps the foamy brine it drinks, And in the dread abyss for ever sinks. [Exit.]

ACT III.

SCENE I.

A chamber in lord BELMOUR's house.

Lady BELMOUR at her toilet, her Waiting-woman attending.

Lady BELMOUR. How pale I look!

ATTENDANT. My lady rose too early.

Lady BELMOUR. Why, what's the time?

ATTENDANT. 'Tis past the noon, but it is scarce four hours Since you lay down to rest. [A tap at the door]

Lady BELMOUR. Who can this be? [The ATTENDANT goes to the door and returns.]

ATTENDANT. 'Tis Mrs. Andrews, madam, in her chariot.

Lady BELMOUR. What, at this hour?--and yet in truth no wonder, That thus her rest's disturb'd. It would require The wealth of India to support her losses.

And were she now possess'd of all its stores, I and my friends cou'd rid her of the burthen.

Perhaps, she comes to pay me the five hundred I won of her, when last we play'd together?

Or with the flattering hopes to make reprisals?

So I may double it before we part: For she's unskill'd enough to lose a million.

Away!--I'll wait her in the damask chamber. [They go off different ways.]

SCENE II.

Changes to another apartment.

Lady BELMOUR alone. Enter Mrs. ANDREWS.

Lady BELMOUR. My dearest Andrews! I rejoice to see you.

Mrs. ANDREWS. I always found you friendly and obliging.

Lady BELMOUR. But why this gloom on that angelic face?

Why not as sprightly as you us'd to be?

Surely you'll not conceal the cause from me, Whose wishes for you are sincere as earnest!

Mrs. ANDREWS. How happy am I in this honour'd favour!

You know my loss at play for some time past Hath been prodigious; it hath reach'd my husband.

Lady BELMOUR. Were I in your case, that should not disturb me.

Is not the jealous dotard twice your age?

Such incidents shou'd more confirm my empire.

Nay, my offence shou'd be his accusation, Nor wou'd I rest until he shou'd acknowledge The fault was his, not mine; so, rouse your spirits.

Mrs. ANDREWS. Impossible, I've injur'd him too deeply; Have lost with his esteem, his love for ever.

Lady BELMOUR. Then farewel further intercourse between us. [Aside]

Despond not thus, all will be well again.

I think you owe me just five hundred pieces?

Yet let not that disturb you in the least: It may be in your power to pay me soon.

Mrs. ANDREWS. I would not forfeit your regard and friends.h.i.+p, For fifty times the sum.