The Gamester (1753) Part 3

_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 friends.h.i.+p, 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 friends.h.i.+p, 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.