_Char._ And will, when I have peace within myself. But let us change the subject. Your business here this morning is with my sister. Misfortunes press too hard upon her: yet till to day she has borne them nobly. _Lew._ Where is she? _Char._ Gone to her chamber. Her spirits failed her. _Lew._ I hear her coming. Let what has passed with Stukely be a secret. She has already too much to trouble her. SCENE VII. _Enter Mrs. BEVERLEY._ _Mrs. Bev._ Good morning, Sir. I heard your voice, and, as I thought, enquiring for me. Where's Mr. Stukely, Charlotte? _Char._ This moment gone. You have been in tears, sister; but here's a friend shall comfort you. _Lew._ Or if I add to your distresses, I'll beg your pardon, madam. The sale of your house and furniture was finished yesterday. _Mrs. Bev._ I know it, Sir. I know too your generous reason for putting me in mind of it. But you have obliged me too much already. _Lew._ There are trifles, madam, which you have set a value on: those I have purchased, and will deliver. I have a friend too that esteems you; he has bought largely, and will call nothing his, till he has seen you. If a visit to him would not be painful, he has begged it may be this morning. _Mrs. Bev._ Not painful in the least. My pain is from the kindness of my friends. Why am I to be obliged beyond the power of return? _Lew._ You shall repay us at your own time. I have a coach waiting at the door. Shall we have Your company, madam? [_To Charlotte._ _Char._ No. My brother may return soon; I'll stay and receive him. _Mrs. Bev._ He may want a comforter, perhaps. But don't upbraid him, Charlotte. We shan't be absent long. Come, Sir, since I _must_ be so obliged. _Lew._ 'Tis I that am obliged. An hour or less will be sufficient for us. We shall find you at home, madam? (_To Charlotte._) [_Exit with Mrs. Beverley._ _Char._ Certainly. I have but little inclination to appear abroad. O! this brother! this brother! to what wretchedness has he reduced us! [_Exit._ SCENE VIII. _Changes to _STUKELY'S_ lodgings._ _Enter STUKELY._ _Stu._ That Lewson suspects me, 'tis too plain. Yet why should he suspect me? I appear the friend of Beverley as well as he. But I am rich it seems: and so I am; thanks to another's folly and my own wisdom. To what use is wisdom, but to take advantage of the weak? This Beverley's my fool: I cheat him, and he calls me friend. But more business must be done yet. His wife's jewels are unsold;