from me.-They should have parted soul and body first I was too tame.

Char. You must not talk so.- -All that we could we did: and Jarvis did the rest-The faithful creature will give him comfort. See where he comes!His looks are cheerful too!

Enter JARVIS.

Mrs Bev. Are tears then cheerful! Alas, he weeps! Speak to him, Charlotte, I have no tongue to ask him questions.

Char. How does your master, Jarvis ?

Jar. I am old and foolish, madam; and tears will come before my words-But don't you weep; [To MRS BEVERLEY.] I have a tale of joy for you.

Mrs Bev. Say but he's well, and I have joy enough.

Jar. All shall be well-I have news for him, that will make his poor heart bound again-Fie upon old age!-How childish it makes me !-I have a tale of joy for you, and my tears drown it.

Mrs Bev. What is it, Jarvis ?

Jar. Yet why should I rejoice when a good man dies? Your uncle, madam, died yesterday. Mrs Bev. My uncle!-Oh, Heavens! Char. How heard you of his death?

Jar. His steward came express, madam-I met him in the street, enquiring for your lodgings-I should not rejoice, perhaps but he was old, and my poor master a prisoner Now he shall live again Oh, 'tis a brave fortune! and, 'twas death to me to see him a prisoner.

Char. How did he pass the night, Jarvis?

Jar. Like a man dreaming of death and horrorsWhen they led him to his cell, he flung himself upon a wretched bed, and lay speechless till day-break. I spoke to him, but he would not hear me; and when

F

I persisted, he raised his hand at me, and knit his brow so-I thought he would have struck me. I bid him be of comfort-Begone, old wretch, says he -My wife! my child! my sister! I have undone them all, and will know no comfort! Then, falling upon his knees, he imprecated curses upon himself.

Mrs Bev. This is too horrible!-But we have staid too long. Let us haste to comfort him, or die with him. [Exeunt.

SCENE III.

A Prison.

BEVERLEY is discovered sitting.

Bev. Why, there's an end then; I have judged deliberately, and the result is death! How the selfmurderer's account may stand I know not. But this I know the load of hateful life oppresses me too much-The horrors of my soul are more than I can bear-[Offers to kneel.] Father of mercy!-I cannot pray-Despair has laid his iron hand upon me, and sealed me for perdition-Conscience! conscience! thy clamours are too loud!-Here's that shall silence thee. [Takes a Phial out of his Pocket, and looks at it.] Thou art most friendly to the miserable. Come, then, thou cordial for sick minds-Come to my heart. [Drinks.] Oh, that the grave would bury memory as well as body! For, if the soul sees and feels the sufferings of those dear ones it leaves behind, the

Everlasting has no vengeance to torment it deeper— I'll think no more on't-Reflection comes too lateOnce there was a time for't-but now 'tis past.Who's there?

Enter JARVIS.

Jar. One, that hoped to see you with better looks -Why do you turn so from me? I have brought comfort with me. And see who comes to give it welcome!

Bev. My wife and sister! Why, 'tis but one pang more, then, and farewell, world!'

[Aside,

Enter MRS BEverley and Charlotte.

Mrs Bev. Where is he? [Runs and embraces him.] Oh, I have him! I have him! And now they shall never part us more-I have news, love, to make you happy for ever Alas, he hears us not!Speak to me, love. I have no heart to see you thus. Bev. This is a sad place

Mrs Bev. We come to take you from it-to tell you the world goes well again-that Providence has seen our sorrows, and sent the means to help them— Your uncle died yesterday.

Bev. My uncle !-No, do not say so!-Oh, I am sick at heart!

Mrs Bev. Indeed!-I meant to bring you comfort.

Bev. Tell me he lives, then-If you would bring me comfort, tell me he lives!

Mrs Bev. And if I did—I have no power to raise the dead-He died yesterday.

Bev. And I am heir to him?

Jar. To his whole estate, sir

tiently-pray, bear it patiently.

-But bear it pa

Bev. Well, well-[Pausing.] Why, fame says I am rich then?

Mrs Bev. And truly SO -Why do you look so wildly?

Bev. Do I? The news was unexpected. But has he left me all?

Jar. All, all, sir-He could not leave it from you. Bev. I am sorry for it.

Mrs Beo. Why are you disturbed so?

Bev. Has death no terrors in it?

Mrs Bev. Not an old man's death. Yet, if it troubles you, I wish him living.

Bev. And I, with all my heart. For I have a tale to tell shall turn you into stone; or, if the power of speech remain, you shall kneel down and curse

me.

Mrs Bev. Alas! what tale is this? And why are we to curse you?-I'll bless you for ever.

Bev. No; I have deserved no blessings. The world holds not such another wretch. All this large fortune, this second bounty of Heaven, that might have healed our sorrows, and satisfied our utmost hopes, in a cursed hour I sold last night.

Mrs Bev. Impossible!

Bev. That devil, Stukely, with all hell to aid him, tempted me to the deed. To pay false debts of honour, and to redeem past errors, I sold the reversion -Sold it for a scanty sum, and lost it among villains.

me.

Char. Why, farewell all then!

Bev. Liberty and life-Come, kneel and curse

Mrs Bev. Then hear me, Heaven! [Kneels.] Look down with mercy on his sorrows! Give softness to his looks, and quiet to his heart! On me, on me, if misery must be the lot of either, multiply misfortunes! I'll bear them patiently, so he is happy! These hands shall toil for his support! And every duty of a fond and faithful wife be doubly done, to cheer and comfort him!-So hear me! so reward me! [Rises.

Bev. I would kneel too, but that offended Heaven would turn my prayers into curses. For I have done a deed to make life horrible to you

Mrs Bev. What deed?

Jar. Ask him no questions, madam-This last misfortune has hurt his brain. A little time will give him patience.

Enter STUKELY.

Bev. Why is this villain here?

Stuke. To give you liberty and safety. There, madam, is his discharge. [Giving a Paper to MRS BEVERLEY.] The arrest last night was meant in friendship, but came too late.

Char. What mean you, sir?

Stuke. 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 Stuke. From Lewson's blood.

Char. No, villain! Yet what of Lewson? Speak quickly.

Stuke. 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 and worship you.

Stuke. 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. Oh, horrible

Bev. Silence, I charge you-Proceed, sir.

Stuke. No. Justice may stop the tale-and here's an evidence.

Enter BATES.

Bates. The news, I see, has reached you. But