Char. For happier times.  The present are too wretched.

Lew. I may have reasons, that press it now.

Char. What reasons?

Lew. The strongest reasons; unanswerable ones.

Char. Be quick and name them.

Lew. No, madam; I am bound in honour to make conditions first; I am bound by inclination too.  This sweet profusion of kind words pains while it pleases.  I dread the losing you.

Char. Astonishment!  What mean you?

Lew. First promise, that to-morrow, or the next day, you will be mine for ever.

Char. I do—­though misery should succeed.

Lew. Thus then I seize you! and with you every joy on this side heaven!
    [Embracing her.

Char. And thus I seal my promise. (Returning his embrace.) Now, Sir, your secret?

Lew. Your fortune’s lost.

Char. My fortune lost!—­I’ll study to be humble then.  But was my promise claimed for this?  How nobly generous!  Where learnt you this sad news?

Lew. From Bates, Stukely’s prime agent.  I have obliged him, and he’s grateful.  He told it me in friendship, to warn me from my Charlotte.

Char. ’Twas honest in him; and I’ll esteem him for’t.

Lew. He knows much more than he has told.

Char. For Me it is enough.  And for your generous love, I thank you from my soul.  If you’d oblige me more, give me a little time.

Lew. Why time?  It robs us of our happiness.

Char. I have a task to learn first.  The little pride this fortune gave me, must be subdued.  Once we were equal; and might have met obliging and obliged.  But now ’tis otherwise; and for a life of obligations, I have not learnt to bear it.

Lew. Mine is that life.  You are too noble.

Char. Leave me to think on’t.

Lew. To-morrow then you’ll fix my happiness?

Char. All that I can, I will.

Lew. It must be so; we live but for each other.  Keep what you know a secret; and when we meet to-morrow, more may be known.  Farewell.
    [Exit.

Char. My poor, poor sister! how would this wound her!  But I’ll conceal it, and speak comfort to her. Exit.

SCENE V. changes to a room in the gaming-house.

Enter BEVERLEY, and STUKELY.

Bev. Whither would you lead me?
    [Angrily.

Stu. Where we may vent our curses.

Bev. Ay, on yourself, and those damned counsels that have destroyed me.  A thousand fiends were in that bosom, and all let loose to tempt me—­I had resisted else.

Stu. Go on, Sir.  I have deserved this from you.

Bev. And curses everlasting.  Time is too scanty for them.