'll pick a husband for myself.

_Wal_. Indeed!

_Helen_. Indeed, sir; and indeed again!

_Wal_. Go dress you for the marriage ceremony.

_Helen_. But, Master Walter, what is it you mean?

[Enter MODUS.]

_Wal_. Here comes your cousin;--he shall be your bridesman!
The thought's a sudden one,--that will excuse
Defect in your appointments. A plain dress,--
So 'tis of white,--will do.

_Helen_. I'll dress in black.
I'll quit the castle.

_Wal_. That you shall not do.
Its doors are guarded by my lord's domestics,
Its avenues--its grounds. What you must do,
Do with a good grace! In an hour, or less,
Your father will be here. Make up your mind
To take with thankfulness the man he gives you.
Now, [Aside] if they find not out how beat their hearts,
I have no skill, not I, in feeling pulses.

[Goes out.]

_Helen_. Why, cousin Modus! What! will you stand by
And see me forced to marry? Cousin Modus!
Have you not got a tongue? Have you not eyes?
Do you not see I'm very--very ill,
And not a chair in all the corridor?

_Mod_. I'll find one in the study.

_Helen_. Hang the study!

_Mod_. My room's at hand. I'll fetch one thence.

_Helen_. You shan't
I'd faint ere you came back!

_Mod_. What shall I do?

_Helen_. Why don't you offer to support me? Well?
Give me your arm--be quick! [MODUS offers his arm.]
Is that the way
To help a lady when she's like to faint?
I'll drop unless you catch me! [MODUS supports her.]
That will do.
I'm better now--[MODUS offers to leave her] don't leave me! Is one well
Because one's better? Hold my hand. Keep so.
I'll soon recover so you move not. Loves he--

[Aside.]

Which I'll be sworn he does, he'll own it now.
Well, cousin Modus?

_Mod_. Well, sweet cousin!

_Helen_. Well?
You heard what Master Walter said?

_Mod_. I did.

_Helen_. And would you have me marry? Can't you speak?
Say yes or no.

_Mod_. No, cousin!

_Helen_. Bravely said!
And why, my gallant cousin?

_Mod_. Why?

_Helen_. Ay, why?--
Women, you know, are fond of reasons--why
Would you not have me marry? How you blush!
Is it because you do not know the reason?
You mind me of a story of a cousin
Who once her cousin such a question asked.
He had not been to college, though--for books,
Had passed his time in reading ladies' eyes.
Which he could construe marvellously well,
Though writ in language all symbolical.
Thus stood they once together, on a day--
As