, and the Friar said, "They have left her as one dead
with shame. Let us pretend that she is dead until the truth is declared,
and slander turns to remorse."

"The Friar advises well," said Benedick. Then Hero was led away into a
retreat, and Beatrice and Benedick remained alone in the church.

Benedick knew she had been weeping bitterly and long. "Surely I do
believe your fair cousin is wronged," he said. She still wept.

"Is it not strange," asked Benedick, gently, "that I love nothing in the
world as well as you?"

"It were as possible for me to say I loved nothing as well as you," said
Beatrice, "but I do not say it. I am sorry for my cousin."

"Tell me what to do for her," said Benedick. "Kill Claudio."

"Ha! not for the wide world," said Benedick. "Your refusal kills me,"
said Beatrice. "Farewell."

"Enough! I will challenge him," cried Benedick.

During this scene Borachio and Conrade were in prison. There they were
examined by a constable called Dogberry.

The watchman gave evidence to the effect that Borachio had said that he
had received a thousand ducats for conspiring against Hero.

Leonato was not present at this examination, but he was nevertheless now
thoroughly convinced Of Hero's innocence. He played the part of bereaved
father very well, and when Don Pedro and Claudio called on him in a
friendly way, he said to the Italian, "You have slandered my child to
death, and I challenge you to combat."

"I cannot fight an old man," said Claudio.

"You could kill a girl," sneered Leonato, and Claudio crimsoned.

Hot words grew from hot words, and both Don Pedro and Claudio were
feeling scorched when Leonato left the room and Benedick entered.

"The old man," said Claudio, "was like to have snapped my nose off."

"You are a villain!" said Benedick, shortly. "Fight me when and with
what weapon you please, or I call you a coward."

Claudio was astounded, but said, "I'll meet you. Nobody shall say I
can't carve a calf's head."

Benedick smiled, and as it was time for Don Pedro to receive officials,
the Prince sat down in a chair of state and prepared his mind for
justice.

The door soon opened to admit Dogberry and his prisoners.

"What offence," said Don Pedro, "are these men charged with?"

Borachio thought the moment a happy one for making a clean breast of it.
He laid the whole blame on Don John, who had disappeared. "The lady Hero
being dead," he said, "I desire nothing but the reward of