_R._ You laugh. ’Tis strange that it should please you. _D._ Ah! I laugh to think there was no cause for all My.... _R._ Your.... _D._ My needless trouble, my anxiety. _R._ Anxiety,—you mean, lest?... _D._ For my maids. _R._ (_half-aside_). Indeed!—indeed! _D._ ’Twas more than laughable To see him; and you there with your face so grave. _R._ I thought you were deceived. 2001 _D._ I was deceived, But now I understand. _R._ Your ladyship, I think, is more mistaken now than ever. Frederick hath told me himself that he is in love; And that’s the truth, both likely, and well-confirmed, Even by the accident you set against it. You find on him a portrait of himself Set in a jewelled case; just such a gift As he might make to his lady. I know, from him, He hath her picture. _D._ Ah! you have seen it? _R._ No. 2010 _D._ Then I am assured there is no other picture Than that I saw. His servant guessed the truth: ’Twas part of a pretence, for which I think There may be a cause. There is no lady at all. _R._ Tristram’s a fool; and wrests what wit he hath To outwit himself. _D._ What then do you believe? _R._ I see the stroke your ladyship prepared Was excellent: the merest chance in the world Enabled him to escape. _D._ Impossible. This is a dream. Besides, how could he dare 2020 Deceive me again, and wish me to believe That he is a fool? _R._ A false opinion wrongs The holder most. _D._ Never! I cannot think it. _R._ You do not wish to think it. _D._ And what dost thou, sir, Think that I wish? _R._ One thing at least is clear.... _D._ (_aside_). Good heaven! if I have betrayed myself— Well, sir! _R._ You are vexed to think Frederick should be in love. _D._ How so, pray?—how should I be vexed at that? _R._ The fear to lose so good a secretary. 2030 _D._ So good a secretary!—Ha! now, Ricardo, I am vexed, that’s the truth, at Frederick’s love.— I see how likely it is you are right—I am sorry— I do not wish to believe it: I thought at first His lady, whoever she was, might be in the town: Or, if the affair had sprung within my court, It might be one of my guests: but now it happens We have no visitors. If last night he kept An appointment here in the court,—who can it be But one of the maids? Are you surprised I am vexed? I thought well of him, and still would think the best: I’ll not believe it. _R._ (_aside_). I shall not act this out. 2041 I almost dare to tell her all: she tortures Herself for nothing.—I cannot.... _D._ What say you, sir? _R._ ’Tis out of the question, madam.