Cam. You took the only way to be rid of him.  There’s the wall; behind yon pane of it we’ll set up the ladder. [Exeunt.

SCENE III.—­A Night-piece of a Garden.

  Enter LAURA and VIOLETTA.

Vio. Remember your waiting-woman’s part, Laura.

Lau. I warrant you, I’ll wait on you by night, as well as I governed you by day.

Vio. Hark, I hear footsteps; and now, methinks, I see something approaching us.

Lau. They are certainly the men whom we expect.

  Enter AURELIAN and CAMILLO.

Cam. I hear womens’ voices.

Aur. We are right, I warrant you.

Cam. Violetta, my love!

Vio. My dear Camillo!

Cam. Speak those words again; my own name never sounded so sweetly to me, as when you spoke it, and made me happy by adding dear to it.

Vio. Speak softly then; I have stolen these few minutes from my watchful uncle and my sister, and they are as full of danger as they are of love.  Something within me checks me too, and says, I was too forward in venturing thus to meet you.

Cam. You are too fearful rather; and fear’s the greatest enemy to love.

Vio. But night will hide my blushes, when I tell you, I love you much, or I had never trusted my virtue and my person in your hands.

Cam. The one is sacred, and the other safe; but this auspicious minute is our first of near converse.  May I not hope that favour, which strangers, in civility, may claim, even from the most reserved?
          
                                         [Kisses her hand.

Vio. I fear you’ll censure me.

Cam. Yes, as the blest above tax heaven for making them so happy.
                                             [They walk further off.

Aur. [Stepping towards LAURA.] Damsel of darkness, advance, and meet my flames!

Lau. [Stepping forward.] Right trusty valet, heard, but yet unseen, I have advanced one step on reputation.

Aur. Now, by laudable custom, I am to love thee vehemently.

Lau. We should do well to see each other first:  You know ’tis ill taking money without light.

Aur. O, but the coin of love is known by the weight only, and you may feel it in the dark:  Besides, you know ’tis prince-like to love without seeing.

Lau. But then you may be served as princes are sometimes.

Aur. Let us make haste, however, and despatch a little love out of the way:  We may do it now with ease, and save ourselves a great deal of trouble, if we take it in time, before it grows too fast upon our hands.

Lau. Fye, no; let us love discreetly:  we must manage our passion, and not love all our love out at one meeting, but leave some for another time.