_Fath_. She offered me all she was mistress of to take the letter to Master Clifford. She drew her purse from her pocket--the ring from her finger--she took her very earrings out of her ears--but I was forbidden, and refused. And now I'm sorry for it! Poor lady! _Helen_. Thou shouldst be sorry. Thou hast a hard heart, Fathom. _Fath_. I, madam! My heart is as soft as a woman's. You should have seen me when I came out of her chamber--poor lady! _Helen_. Did you cry? _Fath_. No; but I was as near it as possible. I a hard heart! I would do anything to serve her, poor sweet lady! _Helen_. Will you take her letter, asks she you again? _Fath_. No--I am forbid. _Helen_. Will you help Master Clifford to an interview with her? _Fath_. No--Master Walter would find it out. _Helen_. Will you contrive to get me into her chamber? _Fath_. No--you would be sure to bring me into mischief. _Helen_. Go to! You would do nothing to serve her. You a soft heart! You have no heart at all! You feel not for her! _Fath_. But I tell you I do--and good right I have to feel for her. I have been in love myself. _Helen_. With your dinner! _Fath_. I would it had been! My pain would soon have been over, and at little cost. A fortune I squandered upon her!--trinkets--trimmings--treatings--what swallowed up the revenue of a whole year! Wasn't I in love? Six months I courted her, and a dozen crowns all but one did I disburse for her in that time! Wasn't I in love? An hostler--a tapster--and a constable, courted her at the same time, and I offered to cudgel the whole three of them for her! Wasn't I in love? _Helen_. You are a valiant man, Fathom. _Fath_. Am not I? Walks not the earth the man I am afraid of. _Helen_. Fear you not Master Walter? _Fath_. No. _Helen_. You do! _Fath_. I don't! _Helen_. I'll prove it to you. You see him breaking your young mistress's heart, and have not the manhood to stand by her. _Fath_. What could I do for her? _Helen_. Let her out of prison. It were the act of a man. _Fath_. That man am I! _Helen_. Well said, brave Fathom! _Fath_. But my place! _Helen_. I'll provide thee with a better one. _Fath_. 'Tis a capital place! So little to do, and so much to get for't. Six pounds in the year; two suits of livery; shoes and stockings, and a famous larder. He'd be a bold man that would put such a place in jeopardy. My place, madam, my place! _Helen_. I tell thee I'll provide thee with a better place. Thou shalt have less to do, and more to get. Now, Fathom, hast thou courage to stand by thy mistress? _Fath_. I have! _Helen_. That's right. _Fath_. I'll let my lady out. [Enter MASTER WALTER unperceived.] _Helen_. That's right. When, Fathom? _Fath_. To-night. _Helen_. She is to be married to-night. _Fath_. This evening, then. Master Walter is now in the library, the key is on the outside, and I'll lock him in. _Helen_. Excellent! You'll do it?