Trice.  Pox o’ this noise! it has disturbed me from such a dream of eating!—­[Exeunt.

ACT III.  SCENE I.

Enter Constance and Isabella.

Const.  Twas ill luck to have the meeting broke last night, just as Setstone was coming towards him.

Isa.  But, in part of recompence, you’ll have the pleasure of putting him on farther straits.  O, these little mischiefs are meat and drink to me.

Const.  He shall tell me from whence he has his money:  I am resolved now to try him to the utmost.

Isa.  I would devise something for him to do, which he could not possibly perform.

Const.  As I live, yonder he comes, with the jewel in his hand he promised me.  Pr’ythee, leave me alone with him.

Isa.  Speed the plough!  If I can make no sport, I’ll hinder none.  I’ll to my knight, Sir Timorous; shortly you shall hear news from Dametas[A].

[Footnote A:  A foolish character in Sir Philip Sidney’s Arcadia, who seems to have become proverbial.]

[Exit ISABELLA.

Enter LOVEBY.

Lov.  Look you, madam, here’s the jewel; do me the favour to accept it, and suppose a very good compliment delivered with it.

Const.  Believe me, a very fair jewel.  But why will you be at this needless charge?  What acknowledgment do you expect?  You know I will not marry you.

Lov.  How the devil do I know that?  I do not conceive myself, under correction, so inconsiderable a person.

Const.  You’ll alter your partial opinion, when I tell you, ’tis not a flash of wit fires me, nor is it a gay out-side can seduce me to matrimony.

Lov.  I am neither fool, nor deformed, so much as to be despicable.  What do I want?

Const.  A good estate, that makes every thing handsome:  Nothing can look well without it.

Lov.  Does this jewel express poverty?

Const.  I conjure you by your love to me, tell me one truth not minced by your invention, how came you by this jewel?

Lov.  ’Tis well I have a voucher.  Pray ask your own jeweller, Setstone, if I did not buy it of him.

Const.  How glad you are now, you can tell a truth so near a lie.  But where had you the money, that purchased it?  Come—­without circumstances and preambles—­

Lov.  Umph—­Perhaps, that may be a secret.

Const.  Say, it be one; yet he, that loved indeed, could not keep it from his mistress.

Lov.  Why should you be thus importunate?

Const.  Because I cannot think you love me, if you will not trust that to my knowledge, which you conceal from all the world beside.

Lov.  You urge me deeply—­

Const.  Come, sweet servant, you shall tell me; I am resolved to take no denial.  Why do you sigh?