h held in the very fire! And so he won her--
Won her, because he wooed her like a man.
For all your cuffings, cuffing you again
With most usurious interest. Now, sir,
Protest that you are valiant!

_Mod_. Cousin Helen!

_Helen_. Well, sir?

_Mod_. The tale is all a forgery!

_Helen_. A forgery!

_Mod_. From first to last; ne'er spoke I
To a proctor's daughter while I was at college.

_Helen_. 'Twas a scrivener's then--or somebody's.
But what concerns it whose?
Enough, you loved her!
And, shame upon you, let another take her!

_Mod_. Cousin, I'll tell you, if you'll only hear me,
I loved no woman while I was at college--
Save one, and her I fancied ere I went there.

_Helen_. Indeed! Now I'll retreat, if he's advancing.
Comes he not on! O what a stock's the man!
Well, cousin?

_Mod_. Well! What more wouldst have me say?
I think I've said enough.

_Helen_. And so think I.
I did but jest with you. You are not angry?
Shake hands! Why, cousin, do you squeeze me so?

_Mod_. [Letting her go.] I swear I squeezed you not.

_Helen_. You did not?

_Mod_. No. I'll die if I did!

_Helen_. Why then you did not, cousin,
So let's shake hands again--
[He takes her hand as before.] O go and now
Read Ovid! Cousin, will you tell me one thing:
Wore lovers ruffs in Master Ovid's time?
Behoved him teach them, then, to put them on;--
And that you have to learn. Hold up your head!
Why, cousin, how you blush! Plague on the ruff!
I cannot give't a set. You're blushing still!
Why do you blush, dear cousin? So!--'twill beat me!
I'll give it up.

_Mod_. Nay, prithee, don't--try on!

_Helen_. And if I do, I fear you'll think me bold.

_Mod_. For what?

_Helen_. To trust my face so near to thine.

_Mod_. I know not what you mean.

_Helen_. I'm glad you don't!
Cousin, I own right well behaved you are,
Most marvellously well behaved! They've bred
You well at college. With another man
My lips would be in danger! Hang the ruff!

_Mod_. Nay, give it up, nor plague thyself, dear cousin.

_Helen_. Dear fool! [Throws the ruff on the ground.]
I swear the ruff is good for just
As little as its master! There!--'Tis spoiled--
You'll have to get another! Hie for it,
And wear it in the fashion of a wisp,
Ere I adjust it for thee! Farewell, cousin!
You'd need to study Ovid's Art of Love.

[HELEN goes out.]

_Mod_. [Solus.] Went she in anger! I will follow her,--
No, I will