who would believe me?'
said Isabel, as she went towards the dreary prison where her brother
was confined. When she arrived there, her brother was in pious
conversation with the duke, who in his friar's habit had also visited
Juliet, and brought both these guilty lovers to a proper sense of their
fault; and unhappy Juliet with tears and a true remorse confessed that
she was more to blame than Claudio, in that she willingly consented to
his dishonourable solicitations.

As Isabel entered the room where Claudio was confined, she said: 'Peace
be here, grace, and good company!' 'Who is there?' said the disguised
duke; 'come in; the wish deserves a welcome.' 'My business as a word or
two with Claudio,' said Isabel. Then the duke left them together, and
desired the provost, who had the charge of the prisoners, to place him
where he might overhear their conversation.

'Now, sister, what is the comfort?' said Claudio. Isabel told him he
must prepare for death on the morrow. 'Is there no remedy?' said
Claudio. 'Yes, brother,' replied Isabel, 'there is, but such a one, as
if you consented to it would strip your honour from you, and leave you
naked.' 'Let me know the point,' said Claudio. 'O, I do fear you,
Claudio!' replied his sister; 'and I quake, lest you should wish to
live, and more respect the trifling term of six or seven winters added
to your life, then your perpetual honour! Do you dare to die? The sense
of death is most in apprehension, and the poor beetle that we tread
upon, feels a pang as great as when a giant dies.' 'Why do you give me
this shame?' said Claudio. 'Think you I can fetch a resolution from
flowery tenderness? If I must die, I will encounter darkness as a
bride, and hug it in my arms.' 'There spoke my brother,' said Isabel;
'there my father's grave did utter forth a voice. Yes, you must die;
yet would you think it, Claudio! this outward sainted deputy, if I
would yield to him my virgin honour, would grant your life. O, were it
but my life, I would lay it down for your deliverance as frankly as a
pin!' 'Thanks, dear Isabel,' said Claudio. 'Be ready to die to-morrow,'
said Isabel. 'Death is a fearful thing,' said Claudio. 'And shamed life
a hateful,' replied his sister. But the thoughts of death now overcame
the constancy of Claudio's temper, and terrors, such as the guilty only
at their deaths do know, assailing him, he cried out: 'Sweet sister,
let me live! The sin you do to save a brother's life, nature