Chapter 4

_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._

_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 passions; 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 friendship, 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.