_Lew._ Laws! Dar'st Thou seek shelter from the laws? those laws, which thou and thy infernal crew live in the constant violation of? Talk'st thou of reputation too? when under friendship's sacred name, thou hast betrayed, robbed, and destroyed? _Stu._ Ay, rail at gaming; 'tis a rich topic, and affords noble declamation. Go, preach against it in the city: you'll find a congregation in every tavern. If they should laugh at you, fly to my lord, and sermonize it there: he'll thank you and reform. _Lew._ And will example sanctify a vice? No, wretch; the custom of my lord, or of the Cit that apes him, cannot excuse a breach of law, or make the gamester's calling reputable. _Stu._ Rail on, I say. But is this zeal for beggared Beverley? Is it for Him that I am treated thus? No; He and His might all have groaned in prison, had but the sister's fortune escaped the wreck, to have rewarded the disinterested love of honest Mr. Lewson. _Lew._ How I detest thee for the thought! But thou art lost to every human feeling. Yet let me tell thee, and may it wring thy heart! that though my friend is ruined by thy snares, thou hast unknowingly been kind to Me. _Stu._ Have I? It was indeed unknowingly. _Lew._ Thou hast assisted me in love; given me the merit that I wanted; since but for Thee, my Charlotte had not known 'twas her dear self I sighed for, and not her fortune. _Stu._ Thank me, and take her then. _Lew._ And as a brother to poor Beverley, I will pursue the robber that has seized him, and snatch him from his gripe. _Stu._ Then know, imprudent man, he _is_ within my gripe; and should my friendship for him be slandered once again, the hand that has supplied him, shall fall and crush him. _Lew._ Why, now there's spirit in thee! This is indeed to be a villain! But I shall reach thee yet. Fly where thou wilt, my vengeance shall pursue thee--and Beverley shall yet be saved, be saved from thee, thou monster; nor owe his rescue to his wife's dishonour. [_Exit_. _Stu._ (_Pausing_) Then ruin has enclosed me. Curse on my coward heart! I would be bravely villainous; but 'tis my nature to shrink at danger, and he has found me. Yet fear brings caution, and That security. More mischief must be done, to hide the past. Look to yourself, officious Lewson--there may be danger stirring--How now, Bates? SCENE V. _Enter BATES._ _Bates._ What is the matter? 'Twas Lewson, and not Beverley, that left you. I heard him loud: you seem alarmed too. _Stu._ Ay, and with reason. We are discovered. _Bates._ I feared as much, and therefore cautioned you; but You were peremptory. _Stu._ Thus fools talk ever; spending their idle breath on what is past; and trembling at the future. We must be active. Beverley, at worst, is but suspicious; but Lewson's genius, and his hate to Me, will lay all open. Means must be found to stop him. _Bates._ What means? _Stu._ Dispatch him--Nay, start not--Desperate occasions call for desperate deeds. We live but by his death.