If He alone were ruined, 'twere just he should be punished.
He is my brother, 'tis true; but when I think of what he has done;
of the fortune You brought him; of his own large estate too,
squandered away upon this vilest of passions, and among the vilest
of wretches! O! I have no patience! My own little fortune is
untouched, he says: would I were sure on't!

_Mrs. Bev._ And so you may; 'twould be a sin to doubt it.

_Char._ I will be sure on't. 'Twas madness in me to give it to his
management. But I'll demand it from him this morning. I have a
melancholy occasion for't.

_Mrs. Bev._ What occasion?

_Char._ To support a sister.

_Mrs. Bev._ No; I have no need on't. Take it, and reward a lover
with it. The generous Lewson deserves much more. Why won't you make
him happy?

_Char._ Because my sister's miserable.

_Mrs. Bev._ You must not think so. I have my jewels left yet. I'll
sell them to supply our wants; and when all's gone these hands shall
toil for our support. The poor should be industrious--Why those
tears, Charlotte?

_Char._ They flow in pity for you.

_Mrs. Bev._ All may be well yet. When he has nothing to lose,
I shall fetter him in these arms again; and then what is it to be
poor?

_Char._ Cure him but of this destructive passion, and my uncle's
death may retrieve all yet.

_Mrs. Bev._ Ay, Charlotte, _could_ we cure him. But the disease of
play admits no cure but poverty; and the loss of another fortune
would but encrease his shame and his affliction. Will Mr. Lewson
call this morning?

_Char._ He said so last night. He gave me hints too, that he had
suspicions of our friend Stukely.

_Mrs. Bev._ Not of treachery to your Brother? That he loves play I
know; but surely he is honest.

_Char._ He would fain be thought so; therefore I doubt him. Honesty
needs no pains to set itself off.

_Mrs. Bev._ What now, Lucy?

SCENE II.

_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