[_Aside to ~Lorenzo~._ _Enter ~Leonora~._ _Alv._ Come hither, _Leonora_. _Lop._ So, now we shall see. _Alv._ I call'd you to answer for yourself; here's a strong claim upon you; if there be any thing in the pretended title, conceal it no farther, it must be known at last, it may as well be so now. Nothing is so uneasy as uncertainty, I would therefore be gladly freed from it: if you have done what I am told you have, 'tis a great fault indeed; but as I fear 'twill carry much of its punishment along with it, I shall rather reduce my resentment into mourning your misfortune, than suffer it to add to your affliction; therefore speak the truth. _Lop._ Well, this is fair play; now I speak, Sir: you see, fair lady, the goodness of a tender father, nothing need therefore hinder you from owning a most loving husband. We had like to have been altogether by the ears about this business, and pails of blood were ready to run about the house: but, thank heaven, the sun shines out again, and one word from your sweet mouth makes fair weather for ever. My master has been forc'd to own your marriage, he begs you'll do so too. _Leo._ What does this impudent rascal mean? _Lop._ Ha!----Madam! _Leo._ Sir, I should be very glad to know [_To ~Lorenzo~._] what can have been the occasion of this wild report; sure you cannot be yourself a party in it. _Lop._ He, he---- _Lor._ Forgive me, dear _Leonora_, I know you had strong reasons for the secret being longer kept; but 'tis not my fault our marriage is disclos'd. _Leo._ Our marriage, Sir!---- _Lor._ 'Tis known, my dear, tho' much against my will; but since it is so, 'twou'd be in vain for us to deny it longer. _Leo._ Then, Sir, I am your wife? I fell in love with you, and married you without my father's knowledge? _Lor._ I dare not be so vain to think 'twas love; I humbly am content to owe the blessing to your generosity; you saw the pains I suffer'd for your sake, and in compassion eas'd 'em. _Leo._ I did, Sir! Sure this exceeds all human impudence. _Lop._ Truly, I think it does. She'd make an incomparable actress. [_Aside._ _Lor._ I begin to be surpris'd, Madam, at you carrying this thing so far; you see there's no occasion for it; and for the discovery, I have already told you, 'twas not my fault. _Lop._ My master's! no, 'twas I did it: why, what a bustle's here! I knew things would go well, and so they do, if folks would let 'em. But if ladies will be in their merriments, when gentlemen are upon serious business, why what a deuce can one say to 'em?