And who is He?

_Stu._ A friend to the unfortunate; a bold one too; who while the
storm is bursting on your brow, and lightening flashing from your
eyes, dares tell you that he loves you.

_Mrs. Bev._ Would that these eyes had heaven's own lightening! that
with a look, thus I might blast thee! Am I then fallen so low? Has
poverty so humbled me, that I should listen to a hellish offer, and
sell my soul for bread? O, villain! villain!--But now I know thee,
and thank thee for the knowledge.

_Stu._ If you are wife, you shall have cause to thank me.

_Mrs. Bev._ An injured husband too shall thank thee.

_Stu._ Yet know, proud woman, I have a heart as stubborn as your
own; as haughty and imperious: and as it loves, so can it hate.

_Mrs. Bev._ Mean, despicable villain! I scorn thee, and thy threats.
Was it for this that Beverley was false? That his too credulous wife
should in despair and vengeance give up her honour to a wretch? But
he shall know it, and vengeance shall be his.

_Stu._ Why send him for defiance then. Tell him I love his wife; but
that a worthless husband forbids our union. I'll make a widow of
you, and court you honourably.

_Mrs. Bev._ O, coward! coward! thy soul will shrink at him. Yet in
the thought of what may happen, I feel a woman's fears. Keep thy own
secret, and begone. Who's there?

SCENE VIII.

_Enter LUCY._

Your absence, Sir, would please me.

_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 b