_Stu._ The thoughtless, shallow prodigal! We shall have sport at night then--But hold--the jewels are not ours yet. The lady may refuse them. The husband may relent too. 'Tis more than probable--I'll write a note to Beverley, and the contents shall spur him to demand them. But am I grown this rogue through avarice? No; I have warmer motives: love and revenge. Ruin the husband, and the wife's virtue may be bid for. 'Tis of uncertain value, and sinks, or rises in the purchase, as want, or wealth, or passion governs. The poor part cheaply with it; rich dames, though pleased with selling, will have high prices for't; your love-sick girls give it for oaths and lying; but wives, who boast of honour and affections, keep it against a famine. Why, let the famine come then; I am in haste to purchase. SCENE V. _Enter BATES._ Look to your men, Bates; there's money stirring. We meet to-night upon this spot. Hasten and tell them so. Beverley calls upon me at my lodgings, and we return together. Hasten, I say; the rogues will scatter else. _Bates._ Not till their leader bids them. _Stu._ Come on then. Give them the word, and follow me; I must advise with you. This is a day of business. [_Exeunt._ SCENE VI. _changes to _BEVERLEY'S_ lodgings_. _Enter BEVERLEY, and CHARLOTTE._ _Char._ Your looks are changed too; there's wildness in them. My wretched sister! how will it grieve her to see you thus! _Bev._ No, no; a little rest will ease me. And for your Lewson's kindness to her, it has my thanks: I have no more to give him. _Char._ Yes; a sister and her fortune. I trifle with him; and he complains. My looks, he says, are cold upon him. He thinks too-- _Bev._ That I have _lost_ your fortune--He dares not think so. _Char._ Nor does he--You are too quick at guessing. He cares not if you had. That care is mine. I lent it you to husband; and now I claim it. _Bev._ You have suspicions then? _Char._ Cure them, and give it me. _Bev._ To stop a sister's chiding. _Char._ To vindicate her brother. _Bev._ How if he needs it not? _Char._ I would fain hope so. _Bev._ Ay, would and cannot. Leave it to time then; 'twill satisfy all doubts. _Char._ Mine are already satisfied. _Bev._ 'Tis well. And when the subject is renewed, speak to me like a sister, and I will answer like a brother. _Char._ To tell me I'm a beggar. Why, tell it now. I that can bear the ruin of those dearer to me, the ruin of a sister and her infant, can bear that too. _Bev._ No more of this--You wring my heart. _Char._ Would that the misery were all your own! But innocence must suffer. Unthinking rioter! whose home was heaven to him: an angel dwelt there, and a little cherub, that crowned his days with blessings--How has he lost this heaven, to league with devils! _Bev._ Forbear, I say; reproaches come too late; they search, but cure not. And for the fortune you demand, we'll talk to-morrow on't; our tempers may be milder.