er.

_Stu._ You have an uncle.

_Bev._ Ay. What of Him?

_Stu._ Old men live long by temperance; while their heirs starve on
expectation.

_Bev._ What mean you?

_Stu._ That the reversion's yours; and will bring money to pay debts
with--nay, more; it may retrieve what's past.

_Bev._ Or leave my child a beggar.

_Stu._ And what's his father? A dishonourable one; engaged for sums,
he cannot pay. That should be thought of.

_Bev._ It is my shame; the poison that inflames me. Where shall we
go? To whom? I am impatient till all's lost.

_Stu._ All may be yours again. Your man is Bates. He has large funds
at his command, and will deal justly by you.

_Bev._ I am resolved--Tell them, within, we'll meet them presently;
and with full purses too--Come, follow me.

_Stu._ No. I'll have no hand in this; nor do I counsel it. Use your
discretion, and act from that. You'll find me at my lodgings.

_Bev._
Succeed what will, this night I'll dare the worst--
'Tis loss of fear, to be compleatly curs'd.
[_Exit._

_Stu._ Why, lose it then for ever. Fear is the mind's worst evil;
and 'tis a friendly office to drive it from the bosom. Thus far has
fortune crowned me--Yet Beverley is rich; rich in his wife's best
treasure; her honour and affections. I would supplant him there too.
But 'tis the curse of thinking minds, to raise up difficulties.
Fools only conquer women: fearless of dangers which they see not,
they press on boldly, and by persisting, prosper. Yet may a tale of
art do much. Charlotte is sometimes absent. The seeds of jealousy
are sown already: If I mistake not, they have taken root too. Now is
the time to ripen them, and reap the harvest. The softest of her
sex, if wronged in love, or thinking that she's wronged, becomes a
tygress in revenge. I'll instantly to Beverley's--No matter for the
danger--When beauty leads us on, 'tis indiscretion to reflect, and
cowardice to doubt.
[_Exit_.

SCENE VI. _changes to _BEVERLEY'S_ lodgings._

_Enter Mrs. BEVERLEY, and _Lucy_._

_Mrs. Bev._ Did Charlotte tell you any thing?

_Lucy_. No, madam.

_Mrs. Bev._ She looked confused methought; said she had business
with her Lewson; which, when I pressed to know, tears only were her
answer.

_Lucy._ She seemed in haste too: yet her return may bring you comfort.

_Mrs. Bev._ No, my kind girl; I was not born for't. But why do I
distress thee? Thy sympathizing heart bleeds for the ills of others.
What pity t