SIR PAUL. Gads-bud, what shall I say? This is the strangest surprise. Why, I don't know anything at all, nor I don't know whether there be anything at all in the world, or no. LADY PLYANT. I thought I should try you, false man. I, that never dissembled in my life, yet to make trial of you, pretended to like that monster of iniquity, Careless, and found out that contrivance to let you see this letter, which now I find was of your own inditing--I do, heathen, I do. See my face no more; I'll be divorced presently. SIR PAUL. O strange, what will become of me? I'm so amazed, and so overjoyed, so afraid, and so sorry. But did you give me this letter on purpose, he? Did you? LADY PLYANT. Did I? Do you doubt me, Turk, Saracen? I have a cousin that's a proctor in the Commons; I'll go to him instantly. SIR PAUL. Hold, stay, I beseech your ladyship. I'm so overjoyed, stay, I'll confess all. LADY PLYANT. What will you confess, Jew? SIR PAUL. Why, now, as I hope to be saved, I had no hand in this letter--nay, hear me, I beseech your ladyship. The devil take me now if he did not go beyond my commission. If I desired him to do any more than speak a good word only just for me; gads-bud, only for poor Sir Paul, I'm an Anabaptist, or a Jew, or what you please to call me. LADY PLYANT. Why, is not here matter of fact? SIR PAUL. Ay, but by your own virtue and continency that matter of fact is all his own doing. I confess I had a great desire to have some honours conferred upon me, which lie all in your ladyship's breast, and he being a well-spoken man, I desired him to intercede for me. LADY PLYANT. Did you so? presumption! Oh, he comes, the Tarquin comes; I cannot bear his sight. SCENE XI. CARELESS, SIR PAUL. CARE. Sir Paul, I'm glad I've met with you, 'gad, I have said all I could, but can't prevail. Then my friendship to you has carried me a little farther in this matter. SIR PAUL. Indeed; well sir, I'll dissemble with him a little. [_Aside_.] CARE. Why, faith I have in my time known honest gentlemen abused by a pretended coyness in their wives, and I had a mind to try my lady's virtue. And when I could not prevail for you, gad, I pretended to be in love myself; but all in vain, she would not hear a word upon that subject. Then I writ a letter to her; I don't know what effects that will have, but I'll be sure to tell you when I do, though by this light I believe her virtue is impregnable. SIR PAUL. O Providence! Providence! What discoveries are here made? Why, this is better and more miraculous than the rest. CARE. What do you mean? SIR PAUL. I can't tell you, I'm so overjoyed; come along with me to my lady, I can't contain myself; come, my dear friend. CARE. So, so, so, this difficulty's over. [_Aside_.] SCENE XII. MELLEFONT, MASKWELL, _from different doors_. MEL. Maskwell! I have been looking for you--'tis within a quarter of eight.