Bel. O, sir, 'tis from a lady. Beat. If you please, sir, I'll tell it in your earMy lady has given Don Melchor the ring; in whose company her father found her just now at the garden-door. [In a whisper. Bel. [Aloud.] Come to me to-morrow, and you shall receive an answer. Beat. Your servant, sir. [Exit BEATRIX. Alon. Sir, I shall take it very unkindly if you satisfy any other, and leave me in this perplexity. Bel. Sir, if my knowledge were accordingAlon. No more of that, sir, I beseech you. Bel. Perhaps I may know something by my art concerning it; but, for your quiet, I wish you would not press me. Alon. Do you think I am not master of my pas sions? Bel. Since you will needs know what I would willingly have concealed, the person, who has your diamond, is he whom you saw last in your daughter's company. Alon. You would say 'tis Don Melchor de Guzman. Who the devil would have suspected him of such an action? But he is of a decayed family, and poverty, it seems, has enforced him to it. Now I think on't better, he has e'en stolen it for a fee, to bribe his lawyer; to requite a lie with a theft. I'll seek him out, and tell him part of my mind before I sleep. [Exit ALON. Bel. So, once more I am at liberty: But this astrology is so troublesome a science Would I were well rid on't! Enter Don LOPEZ, and a Servant. Lop. Astrology, does he say? O, cavalier, is it you? not finding you at home, I came on purpose to seek you out: I have a small request to the stars by your mediation. Bel. Sir, for pity let them shine in quiet a little ; for what for ladies, and their servants, and younger brothers, they scarce get a holiday in a twelvemonth. Lop. Pray, pardon me, if I am a little curious of my destiny, since all my happiness depends on your answer. Bel. Well, sir, what is it you expect? Lop. To know whether my love to a lady will be successful. Bel. 'Tis Aurelia, he means. [Aside.]-Sir, in one word I answer you, that your mistress loves another; one, who is your friend: But comfort yourself; the dragon's tail is between him and home, he never shall enjoy her. Lop. But what hope for me? Bel. The stars have partly assured me, you shall be happy, if you acquaint her with your passion, and with the double-dealing of your friend, who is false to her. Lop. You speak like an oracle. But, I have engaged my promise to that friend, to serve him in his passion to my mistress. Bel. We English seldom make such scruples; women are not comprised in our laws of friendship. They are fera naturæ; our common game, like hare and partridge: Every man has equal right to them, as he has to the sun and elements. Lop. Must I then betray my friend? Eel. In that case my friend is a Turk to me, if he will be so barbarous as to retain two women to his private use. I will be factious for all distressed dainsels; who would much rather have their cause tried by a full jury, than a single judge. Lop. Well, sir, I will take your counsel; and if I err, the fault be on love and you. [Exit Lop. Bel. Were it not for love, I would run out of the town, that's the short on't; for I have engaged myself in so many promises, for the sun and moon, and those little minced-meats of them, that I must hide before my day of payment comes. In the mean time I forget Theodosia; but now I defy the devil to hinder me. As he is going out, he meets AURELIA, and almost Bel. The same, madam. Aur. My uncle told me he left you here: And, indeed, I came hither to complain of you. For you have treated me so inhumanly, that I have some reason to resent it. Bel. What occasion can I have given you for a complaint? Aur. Don Melchor, as I am informed by my uncle, is effectively at Madrid: So that it was not his idea, but himself in person, whom I saw. And since you knew this, why did you conceal it from me? Bel. When I spoke with you, I knew it not: But I discovered it in the erecting of my figure. Yet if, instead of his idea, I constrained himself to come, in spite of his resolution to remain concealed, I think I have shown a greater effect of my art than what I promised. Aur. I render myself to so convincing an argument: But by over-hearing a discourse just now betwixt my cousin Theodosia and her maid, I find that he has concealed himself upon her account, which has given me jealousy to the last point; for, to avow an incontestible truth, my cousin is furiously handsome. Bel. Madam, madam, trust not your ears too far; she talked on purpose, that you might hear her. But, I assure you, the true cause of Don Melchor's concealment was not love of her, but jealousy of you. He staid in private to observe your actions: Build upon't, madam, he is inviolably yours. Aur. Then will he sacrifice my cousin to me? Aur. O most agreeable assurance! Cam. Albricias, madam, for my good news! Don Melchor is coming this way; I know him by his voice but he is in company with another person. Aur. It will not be convenient to give him any umbrage, by seeing me with another person; therefore, I will go before; do you stay here, and conduct him to my apartment. Good-night, sir. [Exit. Bel. I have promised Don Lopez, he shall possess her; and I have promised her, she shall possess Don Melchor: 'Tis a little difficult, I confess, as to the matrimonial part of it: But, if Don Melchor will be civil to her, and she be civil to Don Lopez, my credit is safe without the benefit of my clergy. But all this is nothing to Theodosia. [Exit BEL. Enter Don ALONZO and Don MELCHOR. Cam. Don Melchor, a word in private. Mel. Your pleasure, lady.-Sir, I will wait on you immediately. Cam. I am sent to you from a fair lady, who bears you no ill will. mean. You may guess whom I Mel. Not by my own merits, but by knowing whom you serve. But, I confess, I wonder at her. late strange usage, when she fled from me. Cam. That was only a mistake; but I have now, by her command, been in a thousand places in quest of you. Mel. You overjoy me. Cam. And where, amongst the rest, do you think I have been looking you? Mel. Pray refresh my memory. Cam. In that same street, by the same shopyou know where, by a good token. Mel. By what token? Cam. Just by that shop, where, out of your nobleness, you promised me a new silk gown. Mel. O, now I understand you. Cam. Not that I press you to a performanceMel. Take this, and please yourself in the choice of it. [Gives her money. Cam. Nay, dear sir, now you make me blush; in faith Iam ashamed-I swear, 'tis only because I would keep something for your sake;-but my lady expects you immediately in her apart ment. Mel. I'll wait on her, if I can possibly. [Erit CAM.] But, if I can prevail with Don Alonzo for his daughter, then will I again consider, which of the ladies best deserves me. [Aside.] Sir, I beg your pardon for this rudeness in leaving you. [To ALON. Alon. I cannot possibly resolve with myself to tell him openly he is a thief; but I'll gild the pill for him to swallow. [Aside. Mel. I believe he has discovered our amour: How he surveys me for a son-in-law ! [Aside. Alon. Sir, I am sorry for your sake, that true no |