_Cam._ You may be sure it is, when I confess 'tis with regret I own it e'en to you; and were it possible, you should not know it. _Isab._ 'Tis frankly own'd, indeed; but 'tis not kind, perhaps not prudent; after what you know I already am acquainted with. Have not I been bred up with you? And am I ignorant of a secret, which were it known---- _Cam._ Would be my ruin; I confess it would. I own you know why both my birth and sex are thus disguised; you know how I was taken from my cradle to secure the estate, which had else been lost by young _Camillo_'s death; but which is now safe in my supposed father's hands, by my passing for his son; and 'tis because you know all this, I have resolved to open farther wonders to you. But before I say any more, you must resolve one doubt, which often gives me great disturbance; whether Don _Alvarez_ ever was himself privy to the Mystery which has disguised my sex, and made me pass for his son? _Isab._ What you ask me, is a thing has often perplex'd my thoughts, as well as yours, nor could my mother ever resolve the doubt. You know when that young child _Camillo_ dy'd, in whom was wrapt up so much expectation, from the great estate his uncle's will (even before he came into the world) had left him; his mother made a secret of his death to her husband _Alvarez_, and readily fell in with a proposal made her to take you (who then was just _Camillo_'s Age) and bring you up in his room. You have heard how you were then at nurse with my mother, and how your own was privy and consenting to the plot; but Don _Alvarez_ was never led into it by 'em. _Cam._ Don't you then think it probable his wife might after tell him? _Isab._ 'Twas ever thought nothing but a death-bed repentance cou'd draw it from her to any one; and that was prevented by the suddenness of her exit to t'other world, which did not give her even time to call Heaven's mercy on her. And yet now I have said all this, I own the correspondence and friendship I observe he holds with your real mother, gives me some suspicion, and the presents he often makes her (which people seldom do for nothing) confirm it. But since this is all I can say to you on that point, pray let us come to the secret, which you have made me impatient to hear. _Cam._ Know then, that tho' _Cupid_ is blind, he is not to be deceived: I can hide my sex from the world but not from him; his dart has found the way thro' the manly garb I wear to pierce a virgin's tender heart----I love---- _Isab._ How! _Cam._ Nay be'nt surpriz'd at that, I have other wonders for you. _Isab._ Quick, let me hear 'em. _Cam._ I love _Lorenzo_. _Isab._ _Lorenzo_! Most nicely hit. The very man from whom your imposture keeps this vast estate; and who on the first knowledge of your being a woman wou'd enter into possession of it. This is indeed a wonder. _Cam._ Then wonder still, I am his wife. _Isab._ Ha! his wife!