The Gamester (1753) Part 2

_Enter LUCY._

_Lucy_. Your old steward, madam. I had not the heart to deny him admittance, the good old man begged so hard for it.

[_Exit._

SCENE III.

_Enter JARVIS._

_Mrs. Bev._ Is this well, Jarvis? I desired you to avoid me.

_Jar._ Did you, madam? I am an old man, and had forgot. Perhaps too you forbad my tears; but I am old, madam, and age will be forgetful.

_Mrs. Bev._ The faithful creature! how he moves me!

[_To Charlotte._

_Char._ Not to have seen him had been cruelty.

_Jar._ I have forgot these apartments too. I remember none such in my young master's house; and yet I have lived in't these five and twenty years. His good father would not have dismissed me.

_Mrs. Bev._ He had no reason, Jarvis.

_Jar._ I was faithful to him while he lived, and when he died, he bequeathed me to his son. I have been faithful to Him too.

_Mrs. Bev._ I know it, I know it, Jarvis.

_Char._ We both know it.

_Jar._ I am an old man, madam, and have not a long time to live.

I asked but to have died with him, and he dismissed me.

_Mrs. Bev._ Prithee no more of this! 'Twas his poverty that dismissed you.

_Jar._ Is he indeed so poor then? Oh! he was the joy of my old heart. But must his creditors have all? And have they sold his house too? His father built it when He was but a prating boy. The times I have carried him in these arms! And, Jarvis, says he, when a beggar has asked charity of me, why should people be poor? You shan't be poor, Jarvis; if I was a king, n.o.body should be poor. Yet He is poor. And then he was so brave!--O, he was a brave little boy! And yet so merciful, he'd not have killed the gnat that stung him.

_Mrs. Bev._ Speak to him, Charlotte; for I cannot.

_Char._ When I have wiped my eyes.

_Jar._ I have a little money, madam; it might have been more, but I have loved the poor. All that I have is yours.

_Mrs. Bev._ No, Jarvis; we have enough yet. I thank you though, and will deserve your goodness.

_Jar._ But shall I see my master? And will he let me attend him in his distresses? I'll be no expence to him: and 'twill kill me to be refused. Where is he, madam?

_Mrs. Bev._ Not at home, Jarvis. You shall see him another time.

_Char._ To-morrow, or the next day. O, Jarvis! what a change is here!

_Jar._ A change indeed, madam! My old heart akes at it. And yet methinks--But here's somebody coming.

SCENE IV.

_Enter LUCY with STUKELY._

_Lucy._ Mr. Stukely, Madam.

[_Exit._

_Stu._ Good morning to you, Ladies. Mr. Jarvis, your servant.

Where's my friend, madam?

[_To Mrs. Beverley._

_Mrs. Bev._ I should have asked that question of You. Have not you seen him to-day?

_Stu._ No, madam.

_Char._ Nor last night?

_Stu._ Last night! Did not he come home then?

_Mrs. Bev._ No. Were not you together?

_Stu._ At the beginning of the evening; but not since. Where can he have staid?

_Char._ You call yourself his friend, Sir; why do you encourage him in this madness of gaming?

_Stu._ You have asked me that question before, madam; and I told you my concern was that I could not save him. Mr. Beverley is a man, madam; and if the most friendly entreaties have no effect upon him, I have no other means. My purse has been his, even to the injury of my fortune. If That has been encouragement, I deserve censure; but I meant it to retrieve him.

_Mrs. Bev._ I don't doubt it, Sir; and I thank you. But where did you leave him last night?

_Stu._ At Wilson's, madam, if I ought to tell; in company I did not like. Possibly he may be there still. Mr. Jarvis knows the house, I believe.

_Jar._ Shall I go, madam?

_Mrs. Bev._ No; he may take it ill.

_Char._ He may go as from himself.

_Stu._ And if he pleases, madam, without naming Me. I am faulty myself, and should conceal the errors of a friend. But I can refuse nothing here.

[_Bowing to the ladies._

_Jar._ I would fain see him, methinks.

_Mrs. Bev._ Do so then. But take care how you upbraid him. I have never upbraided him.

_Jar._ Would I could bring him comfort!

[_Exit._