The Gamester (1753) Part 14

_Stu._ I'll not offend you, madam.

[_Exit with Lucy._

_Mrs. Bev._ Why opens not the earth to swallow such a monster? Be conscience then his punisher, till heaven in mercy gives him penitence, or dooms him in its justice.

SCENE IX.

_Re-enter LUCY._

Come to my chamber, Lucy; I have a tale to tell thee, shall make thee weep for thy poor mistress.

Yet heav'n the guiltless sufferer regards, And whom it most afflicts, it most rewards.

[_Exeunt._

ACT IV.

SCENE, __BEVERLEY'S_ lodgings._

_Enter Mrs. BEVERLEY, CHARLOTTE, and LEWSON._

_Charlotte._ The smooth-tongued hypocrite!

_Lew._ But we have found him, and will requite him. Be chearful, madam; (_To Mrs. Beverley_) and for the insults of this ruffian, you shall have ample retribution.

_Mrs. Bev._ But not by violence--Remember you have sworn it: I had been silent else.

_Lew._ You need not doubt me; I shall be cool as patience.

_Mrs. Bev._ See him to-morrow then.

_Lew._ And why not now? By heaven, the veriest worm that crawls is made of braver spirit than this Stukely. Yet for my promise, I'll deal gently with him. I mean to watch his looks: from those, and from his answers to my charge, much may be learnt. Next I'll to Bates, and sift him to the bottom. If I fail there, the gang is numerous, and for a bribe will each betray the other. Good night; I'll lose no time.

[_Exit._

_Mrs. Bev._ These boisterous spirits! how they wound me! But reasoning is in vain. Come, Charlotte; we'll to our usual watch. The night grows late.

_Char._ I am fearful of events; yet pleased--To-morrow may relieve us.

[_Going._

SCENE II.

_Enter JARVIS._

_Char._ How now, good Jarvis?

_Jar._ I have heard ill news, madam.

_Mrs. Bev._ What news? Speak quickly.

_Jar._ Men are not what they seem. I fear me, Mr. Stukely is dishonest.

_Char._ We know it, Jarvis. But what's your news?

_Jar._ That there's an action against my master, at his friend's suit.

_Mrs. Bev._ O, villain! villain! 'twas this he threatened then. Run to that den of robbers, Wilson's--Your master may be there. Entreat him home, good Jarvis. Say I have business with him--But tell him not of Stukely--It may provoke him to revenge--Haste! haste! good Jarvis.

[_Exit Jarvis._

_Char._ This minister of h.e.l.l! O, I could tear him piece-meal!

_Mrs. Bev._ I am sick of such a world. Yet heaven is just; and in its own good time, will hurl destruction on such monsters.

[_Exeunt._

SCENE III. _changes to _STUKELY'S_ lodgings._

_Enter STUKELY, and BATES, meeting_.

_Bates._ Where have you been?

_Stu._ Fooling my time away: playing my tricks, like a tame monkey, to entertain a woman--No matter where-- I have been vext and disappointed. Tell me of Beverley. How bore he his last shock?

_Bates._ Like one (so Dawson says) whose senses had been numbed by misery. When all was lost, he fixed his eyes upon the ground, and stood some time, with folded arms, stupid and motionless. Then s.n.a.t.c.hing his sword, that hung against the wainscot, he sat him down; and with a look of fixt attention, drew figures on the floor.

At last he started up, looked wild, and trembled; and like a woman, seized with her s.e.x's fits, laughed out aloud, while the tears trickled down his face--so left the room.

_Stu._ Why, this was madness.

_Bates._ The madness of despair.

_Stu._ We must confine him then. A prison would do well. (_A knocking at the door._) Hark! that knocking may be his. Go that way down. (_Exit Bates._) Who's there?

SCENE IV.

_Enter LEWSON._

_Lew._ An enemy. An open and avowed one.

_Stu._ Why am I thus broke in upon? This house is mine, Sir; and should protect me from insult and ill-manners.

_Lew._ Guilt has no place of sanctuary; wherever found, 'tis virtue's lawful game. The fox's hold, and tyger's den, are no security against the hunter.

_Stu._ Your business, Sir?