Ruined by friendship! I must relieve, or follow him.

_Mrs. Bev._ Follow him, did you say? Then I am lost indeed!

_Bev._ O this infernal vice! how has it sunk me! A vice, whose
highest joy was poor to my domestic happiness. Yet how have I
pursued it! Turned all my comforts to bitterest pangs! and all Thy
smiles to tears. Damned, damned infatuation!

_Mrs. Bev._ Be cool, my life! What are the means the letter talks
of? Have You, have I those means? Tell me, and ease me. I have no
life while You are wretched.

_Bev._ No, no; it must not be. 'Tis I alone have sinned; 'tis I
alone must suffer. You shall reserve those means, to keep my child
and his wronged mother from want and wretchedness.

_Mrs. Bev._ What means?

_Bev._ I came to rob you of them; but cannot--dare not; those jewels
are your sole support--I should be more than monster to request them.

_Mrs. Bev._ My jewels! Trifles, not worth the speaking of, if
weighed against a husband's peace; but let them purchase That, and
the world's wealth is of less value.

_Bev._ Amazing goodness! How little do I seem before such virtues!

_Mrs. Bev._ No more, my love. I kept them till occasion called to