_Bev._ I would kneel too, but that offended heaven would turn my prayers to curses. What have I to ask for? I, who have shook hands with hope? Is it for length of days that I should kneel? No; My time is limited. Or is it for this world's blessings upon You and Yours? To pour out my heart in wishes for a ruined wife, a child and sister? O! no! For I have done a deed to make you miserable. _Mrs. Bev._ Why miserable? Is poverty so miserable?--The real wants of life are few: a little industry will supply them all; and chearfulness will follow. It is the privilege of honest industry; and we'll enjoy it fully. _Bev._ Never, never! O, I have told you but in part. The irrevocable deed is done. _Mrs. Bev._ What deed? And why do you look so at me? _Bev._ A deed, that dooms my soul to vengeance; that seals Your misery here, and Mine hereafter. _Mrs. Bev._ No, no; You have a heart too good for't-- Alas! he raves, Charlotte--his looks too terrify me--Speak comfort to him--He can have done no deed of wickedness. _Char._ And yet I fear the worst. What is it, brother? _Bev._ A deed of horror. _Jar._ Ask him no questions, madam. This last misfortune has hurt his brain. A little time will give him patience. SCENE VIII. _Enter STUKELY._ _Bev._ Why is this villain here? _Stu._ To give You liberty and safety. There's his discharge, madam. (_Giving a paper to Mrs. Beverley_) Let him begone this moment. The arrest last night was meant in friendship; but came too late. _Char._ What mean you, Sir? _Stu._ The arrest was too late, I say. I would have kept his hands from blood, but was too late. _Mrs. Bev._ His hands from blood! Whose blood?--O, wretch! wretch! _Stu._ From Lewson's blood. _Char._ No, villain! Yet what of Lewson? Speak quickly! _Stu._ You are ignorant then! I thought I heard the murderer at confession. _Char._ What murderer? And who is murdered? Not Lewson? Say he lives, and I'll kneel down and worship you. _Stu._ In pity, so I would; but that the tongues of all cry murder. I came in pity, not in malice; to save the brother, not kill the sister. Your Lewson's dead. _Char._ O horrible! Why, who has killed him?--And yet it cannot be. What crime had He committed that he should die? Villain! he lives! he lives! and shall revenge these pangs. _Mrs. Bev._ Patience, sweet Charlotte! _Char._ O, 'tis too much for patience! _Mrs. Bev._ He comes in pity, he says. O! execrable villain! The friend is killed then, and this the murderer? _Bev._ Silence, I charge you. Proceed, Sir. _Stu._ No. Justice may stop the tale--and here's an evidence. SCENE IX. _Enter BATES._ _Bates._ The news, I see, has reached you. But take comfort, madam. (_To Charlotte_) There's one without, enquiring for you. Go to him, and lose no time. _Char._ O misery! misery! [_Exit_. _Mrs. Bev._ Follow her, Jarvis. If it be true that Lewson's dead, her grief may kill her. _Bates._ Jarvis must stay here, madam: I have some questions for him.