Chapter 7

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 friendship, For fifty times the sum.

Lady BELMOUR. Imagine not, That I cou'd doubt your honour, were it thousands. Your strict and constant perseverance in it, Has won you the esteem and love of all; And to convince you of my high opinion, I'll hazard this five hundred with you now. The day is early yet.

Mrs. ANDREWS. O press me not; My mind's too-much distress'd with what has happen'd; But I have brought the honourable debt. [She takes out several notes from a pocket-book.] These make the whole, I think.

Lady BELMOUR. Most honour'd friend! But may I trespass on your gen'rous spirit? Your stock I see, is not a little weighty. Cou'd you supply me with five hundred more For a few hours? I have no doubt to treble them, At a small party, I expect this instant: And I'll repay them gratefully this evening At lady Meldmay's, where we are to meet. I, and three more this morning hold a bank; In which, if you wou'd choose to share a chance, Fortune perhaps might favour you this way.

Mrs. ANDREWS. Not now; but here's the further sum you wish for; And fail not to repay it as you promise. 'Tis but a part of what I owe to others.

Lady BELMOUR. I wou'd not disappoint you for the world. My obligations are beyond expression. Grant heav'n, your present troubles quickly vanish.

Mrs. ANDREWS. And may you meet the fortune which you hope for! [She goes off.]

Lady BELMOUR. 'Tis wonderful, how she acquires all this. Her husband's ruin'd, my dissipated lord, Most lavishly, I hear, supplies her wants; Whilst even for domestic calls his purse Is niggardly unclos'd; and what he spares, Must be in strictest mode accounted for: Nor does he know a pleasure, absent from her. To keep this sum then, were but fair reprisals. [Exit.]