_Mod_. You wrong me there, At school I was the champion of my form; And since I went to college-- _Helen_. That for college! _Mod_. Nay, hear me! _Helen_. Well? What, since you went to college? You know what men are set down for, who boast Of their own bravery! Go on, brave cousin: What, since you went to college? Was there not One Quentin Halworth there? You know there was, And that he was your master! _Mod_. He my master! Thrice was he worsted by me. _Helen_. Still was he Your master. _Mod_. He allowed I had the best! Allowed it, mark me! nor to me alone, But twenty I could name. _Helen_. And mastered you At last! Confess it, cousin, 'tis the truth! A proctor's daughter you did both affect-- Look at me and deny it! Of the twain She more affected you;--I've caught you now, Bold cousin! Mark you? opportunity On opportunity she gave you, sir-- Deny it if you can!--but though to others, When you discoursed of her, you were a flame; To her you were a wick that would not light, Though held in the very fire! And so he won her-- Won her, because he wooed her like a man. For all your cuffings, cuffing you again With most usurious interest. Now, sir, Protest that you are valiant! _Mod_. Cousin Helen! _Helen_. Well, sir? _Mod_. The tale is all a forgery! _Helen_. A forgery! _Mod_. From first to last; ne'er spoke I To a proctor's daughter while I was at college. _Helen_. 'Twas a scrivener's then--or somebody's. But what concerns it whose? Enough, you loved her! And, shame upon you, let another take her! _Mod_. Cousin, I'll tell you, if you'll only hear me, I loved no woman while I was at college-- Save one, and her I fancied ere I went there. _Helen_. Indeed! Now I'll retreat, if he's advancing. Comes he not on! O what a stock's the man! Well, cousin? _Mod_. Well! What more wouldst have me say? I think I've said enough. _Helen_. And so think I. I did but jest with you. You are not angry? Shake hands! Why, cousin, do you squeeze me so? _Mod_. [Letting her go.] I swear I squeezed you not. _Helen_. You did not? _Mod_. No. I'll die if I did! _Helen_. Why then you did not, cousin, So let's shake hands again-- [He takes her hand as before.] O go and now Read Ovid! Cousin, will you tell me one thing: Wore lovers ruffs in Master Ovid's time? Behoved him teach them, then, to put them on;-- And that you have to learn. Hold up your head! Why, cousin, how you blush! Plague on the ruff! I cannot give't a set. You're blushing still! Why do you blush, dear cousin? So!--'twill beat me! I'll give it up. _Mod_. Nay, prithee, don't--try on! _Helen_. And if I do, I fear you'll think me bold. _Mod_. For what? _Helen_. To trust my face so near to thine. _Mod_. I know not what you mean. _Helen_. I'm glad you don't! Cousin, I own right well behaved you are, Most marvellously well behaved! They've bred You well at college. With another man My lips would be in danger! Hang the ruff!