Sea. Who is it? I can see nobody now.
Bea. Don't be alarmed: it is a friend of your's, who has offended you, and takes a very proper season to be forgiven. It is one who durst not, in your prosperity, shew you the extent of his attachment; but he is now come, for he has already open'd his mind to me upon hearing of your misfortunes, to put into your hands, for the benefit of your children, all the little money he has saved, since he first began to lay up one mite after another, and to call it his own property.
Sea. Who can that be? I did not think there was a creature in the world that bore us so much affection.
(Enter Robert, who starts back upon seeing so many people.)
Bea. Come in, my good Robert: (taking his hand and leading him forward.) thou need'st not be ashamed to show thy face here: there is nobody here who will not receive thee graciously, not even Lady Sarah herself.
(The children and every body gather round Robert.)
Sea. (coming forward with Bea.) Ah, my dear Beaumont, what a charm there is in doing good! it can give dignity to the meanest condition. Had this unlucky scheme but succeeded, for if we could have but weather'd it a little while longer it must have succeeded, I should have been—I think I should have been, munificent as a prince.
