_Char._ Ay, when 'tis proved he wrongs him. The world is full of hypocrites. _Bev._ And Stukely one--So you'd infer, I think. I'll hear no more of this--My heart akes for him--I have undone him. _Lew._ The world says otherwise. _Bev._ The world is false then. I have business with you, love. (_To Mrs. Beverley._) We'll leave them to their rancour. [_Going._ _Char._ No. We shall find room within for't. Come this way, Sir. [_To Lewson._ _Lew._ Another time my friend will thank me; that time is hastening too. [_Exit with Charlotte._ _Bev._ They hurt me beyond bearing. Is Stukely false? Then honesty has left us! 'Twere sinning against heaven to think so. _Mrs. Bev._ I never doubted him. _Bev._ No; You are charity. Meekness and ever-during patience live in that heart, and love that knows no change--Why did I ruin you? _Mrs. Bev._ You have not ruined me. I have no wants when You are present, nor wishes in your absence, but to be blest with your return. Be but resigned to what has happened, and I am rich beyond the dreams of avarice. _Bev._ My generous girl!--But memory will be busy; still crowding on my thoughts, to sour the present by the past. I have another pang too. _Mrs. Bev._ Tell it, and let me cure it. _Bev._ That friend, that generous friend, whose fame they have traduced--I have undone Him too. While he had means, he lent me largely; and now a prison must be his portion. _Mrs. Bev._ No; I hope otherwise. _Bev._ To hope must be to act. The charitable wish feeds not the hungry. Something must be done. _Mrs. Bev._ What? _Bev._ In bitterness of heart he told me, just now he told me, I had undone him. Could I hear that, and think of happiness? No; I have disclaimed it, while He is miserable. _Mrs. Bev._ The world may mend with us, and then we may be grateful. There's comfort in that hope. _Bev._ Ay; 'tis the sick man's cordial, his promised cure; while in preparing it, the patient dies.--What now? SCENE VIII. _Enter LUCY._ _Lucy._ A letter, Sir. [_Delivers it, and exit._ _Bev._ The hand is Stukely's. [_Opens, and reads it to himself._ _Mrs. Bev._ And brings good news--at least I'll hope so--What says he, love? _Bev._ Why, this--too much for patience. Yet he directs me to conceal it from you. [_Reads._ Let your haste to see me be the only proof of your esteem for me. I have determined, since we parted, to bid adieu to England; chusing rather to forsake my country, than to owe my freedom in it to the means we talked of. Keep this a secret at home, and hasten to the ruined R. STUKELY Ruined by friendship! I must relieve, or follow him. _Mrs. Bev._ Follow him, did you say? Then I am lost indeed! _Bev._ O this infernal vice! how has it sunk me! A vice, whose highest joy was poor to my domestic happiness. Yet how have I pursued it! Turned all my comforts to bitterest pangs! and all Thy smiles to tears. Damned, damned infatuation!