plant thyself by that ladder without motion, to secure our
retreat; and be sure to make no noise.

_Ben._ But, sir, in case that--

_Aur._ Honest Benito, no more questions: _Basta_ is the word.
Remember, thou art only taken with us, because thou hast a certain
evil daemon, who conducts thy actions, and would have been sure, by
some damned accident or other, to have brought thee hither to disturb
us.

_Cam._ I hear whispering not far from us, and I think 'tis Violetta's
voice.

_Aur._ [_To_ BEN.] Retire to your post; avoid, good Satan.
[_Exit_ BEN.

_Enter_ LAURA, _with a dark lanthorn hid, and_ VIOLETTA.

_Cam._ Ours is the honour of the field, madam; we are here before you.

_Vio._ Softly, dear friend; I think I hear some walking in the garden.

_Cam._ Rather, let us take this opportunity for your escape from
hence; all things are here in readiness.

_Vio._ This is the second time we ever have met; let us discourse, and
know each other better first; that's the way to make sure of some love
beforehand; for, as the world goes, we know not how little we may have
when we are married.

_Cam._ Losses of opportunity are fatal in war, you know, and love's a
kind of warfare.

_Vio._ I shall keep you yet a while from close fighting.

_Cam._ But, do you know what an hour in love is worth? 'Tis more
precious than an age of ordinary life; 'tis the very quintessence and
extract of it.

_Vio._ I do not like your chemical preparation of love; yours is all
spirit, and will fly too soon; I must see it fixed, before I trust
you. But we are near the arbour: Now our out-guards are set, let us
retire a little, if you please; there we may walk more freely.
[_Exit._

_Aur._ [_To_ LAU.] My lady's woman, methinks you are very reserved
to-night: Pray, advance into the lists; though I have seen your
countenance by day, I can endure to hear you talk by night. Be
cunning, and set your wit to show, which is your best commodity: It
will help the better to put off that drug, your face.

_Lau._ The coarsest ware will serve such customers as you are: Let it
suffice, Mr Serving-man, that I have seen you too. Your face is the
original of the ugliest vizors about town; and for wit, I would advise
you to speak reverently of it, as a thing you are never like to
understand.

_Aur._ Sure, Beatrix, you came lately from l