wn this alley, and
our talk must be only of Benedick, and when I name him, let it be your
part to praise him more than ever man did merit. My talk to you must be
how Benedick is in love with Beatrice. Now begin; for look where
Beatrice like a lapwing runs close by the ground, to hear our
conference." They then began; Hero saying, as if in answer to something
which Ursula had said, "No, truly, Ursula. She is too disdainful; her
spirits are as coy as wild birds of the rock." "But are you sure," said
Ursula, "that Benedick loves Beatrice so entirely?" Hero replied, "So
says the prince, and my lord Claudio, and they entreated me to acquaint
her with it; but I persuaded them, if they loved Benedick, never to let
Beatrice know of it." "Certainly," replied Ursula, "it were not good she
knew his love, lest she made sport of it." "Why, to say truth," said
Hero, "I never yet saw a man, how wise soever, or noble, young, or
rarely featured, but she would dispraise him." "Sure sure, such carping
is not commendable," said Ursula. "No," replied Hero, "but who dare tell
her so? If I should speak, she would mock me into air." "O! you wrong
your cousin," said Ursula: "she cannot be so much without true judgment,
as to refuse so rare a gentleman as signior Benedick." "He hath an
excellent good name," said Hero: "indeed, he is the first man in Italy,
always excepting my dear Claudio." And now, Hero giving her attendant a
hint that it was time to change the discourse, Ursula said, "And when
are you to be married, madam?" Hero then told her, that she was to be
married to Claudio the next day, and desired she would go in with her,
and look at some new attire, as she wished to consult with her on what
she would wear on the morrow. Beatrice, who had been listening with
breathless eagerness to this dialogue, when they went away, exclaimed,
"What fire is in mine ears? Can this be true? Farewell, contempt and
scorn, and maiden pride, adieu! Benedick, love on! I will requite you,
taming my wild heart to your loving hand."

It must have been a pleasant sight to see these old enemies converted
into new and loving friends, and to behold their first meeting after
being cheated into mutual liking by the merry artifice of the
good-humoured prince. But a sad reverse in the fortunes of Hero must now
be thought of. The morrow, which was to have been her wedding-day,
brought sorrow on the heart of Hero and her good father Leonato.

The prince had a half-bro