_Char._ Unless a friend has wanted--I have no patience--Sister! sister! we are bound to curse this friend. _Mrs. Bev._ My Beverley speaks nobly of him. _Char._ And Lewson truly--But I displease you with this talk--To-morrow will instruct us. _Mrs. Bev._ Stay till it comes then. I would not think so hardly. _Char._ Nor I, but from conviction. Yet we have hope of better days. My uncle is infirm, and of an age that threatens hourly. Or if he lives, You never have offended him; and for distresses so unmerited, he will have pity. _Mrs. Bev._ I know it, and am chearful. We have no more to lose; and for what's gone, if it brings prudence home, the purchase is well made. _Char._ My Lewson will be kind too. While he and I have life and means, You shall divide with us--And see, he's here. SCENE IV. _Enter LEWSON._ We were just speaking of you. _Lew._ 'Tis best to interrupt you then. Few characters will bear a scrutiny; and where the bad out-weighs the good, he's safest that's least talked of. What say you, madam? [_To Charlotte._ _Char._ That I hate scandal, though a woman; therefore talk seldom of you. _Mrs. Bev._ Or, with more truth, that, though a woman, she loves to praise; therefore talks always of you. I'll leave you to decide it. [_Exit._ _Lew._ How good and amiable! I came to talk in private with you; of matters that concern you. _Char._ What matters? _Lew._ First answer me sincerely to what I ask. _Char._ I will--But you alarm me. _Lew._ I am too grave, perhaps; but be assured of this, I have no news that troubles Me, and therefore should not You. _Char._ I am easy then. Propose your question. _Lew._ 'Tis now a tedious twelve-month, since with an open and kind heart, you said you loved me. _Char._ So tedious, did you say? _Lew._ And when in consequence of such sweet words, I pressed for marriage, you gave a voluntary promise, that you would live for Me. _Char._ You think me changed then? [_Angrily._ _Lew._ I did not say so. A thousand times I have pressed for the performance of this promise; but private cares, a brother's and a sister's ruin, were reasons for delaying it. _Char._ I had no other reasons--Where will this end? _Lew._ It shall end presently. _Char._ Go on, Sir. _Lew._ A promise, such as this, given freely, not extorted, the world thinks binding; but I think otherwise. _Char._ And would release me from it? _Lew._ You are too impatient, madam. _Char._ Cool, Sir--quite cool--Pray go on. _Lew._ Time, and a near acquaintance with my faults, may have brought change: if it be so; or, for a moment, if you have wished this promise were unmade, here I acquit you of it. This is my question then; and with such plainness as I ask it, I shall entreat an answer. Have you repented of this promise? _Char._ Stay, Sir. The man that can _suspect_ me, shall _find_ me changed. Why am I doubted?