es you have had a feeling of the
cause in your time too, sister.

_Lau._ What have I confessed before I was aware! She'll find out my
inclination to that stranger, whom I have only seen, and to whom I
have never spoken--[_Aside._] No, good Violetta, I never was in love;
all my experience is from plays and romances. But, who is this man, to
whom you have promised an assignation?

_Vio._ You'll tell my uncle.

_Lau._ I hate my uncle more than you do.

_Vio._ You know the man, 'tis signior Camillo: His birth and fortunes
are equal to what I can expect; and he tells me his intentions are
honourable.

_Lau._ Have I not seen him lately in his balcony, which looks into our
garden, with another handsome gentleman in his company, who seems a
stranger?

_Vio._ They are the same. Do you think it a reasonable thing, dear
Laura, that my uncle should keep us so strictly, that we must be
beholden to hearsay, to know a young gallant is in the next house to
us?

_Lau._ 'Tis hard, indeed, to be mewed like hawks, and never manned: To
be locked in like nuns here.

_Vio._ They, that look for nun's flesh in me, shall be mistaken.

_Lau._ Well, what answer have you returned to this letter?

_Vio._ That I would meet him at eight this evening, in the close walk
in the garden, attended only by Beatrix, my woman.

_Lau._ Who comes with him?

_Vio._ Only his friend's man, Benito; the same who brought me the
letter which you took from me.

_Lau._ Stay, let me think a little. Does Camillo, or this Benito, know
your maid Beatrix?

_Vio._ They have never talked with her; but only seen her.

_Lau._ 'Tis concluded then. You shall meet your servant, but I'll be
your Beatrix: I'll go instead of her, and counterfeit your
waiting-woman; in the dark I may easily pass for her. By this means I
shall be present to instruct you, for you are yet a callow maid: I
must teach you to peck a little; you may come to prey for yourself in
time.

_Vio._ A little teaching will serve my turn: If the old one left me to
myself, I could go near to get my living.

_Lau._ I find you are eager, and baiting to be gone already, and I'll
not hinder you when your hour approaches. In the mean time, go in, and
sigh, and think fondly and ignorantly of your approaching pleasures:

Love, in young hearts, is like the must of wine;
'Tis sweetest then; but elder 'tis more fine. [_Exeunt._

ACT II.

SCENE I.--_The front of a Nunnery._

_Prince