Mrs. Bev. Not at home, Jarvis.  You shall see him another time.

Char. To-morrow, or the next day.  O, Jarvis! what a change is here!

Jar. A change indeed, madam!  My old heart akes at it.  And yet methinks—­But here’s somebody coming.

SCENE IV.

Enter LUCY with STUKELY.

Lucy. Mr. Stukely, Madam.
    [Exit.

Stu. Good morning to you, Ladies.  Mr. Jarvis, your servant. 
Where’s my friend, madam?
    [To Mrs. Beverley.

Mrs. Bev. I should have asked that question of You.  Have not you seen him to-day?

Stu. No, madam.

Char. Nor last night?

Stu. Last night!  Did not he come home then?

Mrs. Bev. No.  Were not you together?

Stu. At the beginning of the evening; but not since.  Where can he have staid?

Char. You call yourself his friend, Sir; why do you encourage him in this madness of gaming?

Stu. You have asked me that question before, madam; and I told you my concern was that I could not save him.  Mr. Beverley is a man, madam; and if the most friendly entreaties have no effect upon him, I have no other means.  My purse has been his, even to the injury of my fortune.  If That has been encouragement, I deserve censure; but I meant it to retrieve him.

Mrs. Bev. I don’t doubt it, Sir; and I thank you.  But where did you leave him last night?

Stu. At Wilson’s, madam, if I ought to tell; in company I did not like.  Possibly he may be there still.  Mr. Jarvis knows the house, I believe.

Jar. Shall I go, madam?

Mrs. Bev. No; he may take it ill.

Char. He may go as from himself.

Stu. And if he pleases, madam, without naming Me.  I am faulty myself, and should conceal the errors of a friend.  But I can refuse nothing here.
    [Bowing to the ladies.

Jar. I would fain see him, methinks.

Mrs. Bev. Do so then.  But take care how you upbraid him.  I have never upbraided him.

Jar. Would I could bring him comfort!
    [Exit.

Stu. Don’t be too much alarmed, madam.  All men have their errors, and their times of seeing them.  Perhaps my friend’s time is not come yet.  But he has an uncle; and old men don’t live for ever.  You should look forward, madam:  we are taught how to value a second fortune by the loss of a first.
    [A knocking at the door.

Mrs. Bev. Hark!—­No; that knocking was too rude for Mr. Beverley.  Pray heaven he be well!

Stu. Never doubt it, madam.  You shall be well too:  every thing shall be well.
    [Knocking again.

Mrs. Bev. The knocking is a little loud though.  Who waits there?  Will none of you answer?—­None of you, did I say?  Alas!  I thought myself in my own house, surrounded with servants.