_Helen_. Why don't you offer to support me? Well? Give me your arm--be quick! [MODUS offers his arm.] Is that the way To help a lady when she's like to faint? I'll drop unless you catch me! [MODUS supports her.] That will do. I'm better now--[MODUS offers to leave her] don't leave me! Is one well Because one's better? Hold my hand. Keep so. I'll soon recover so you move not. Loves he-- [Aside.] Which I'll be sworn he does, he'll own it now. Well, cousin Modus? _Mod_. Well, sweet cousin! _Helen_. Well? You heard what Master Walter said? _Mod_. I did. _Helen_. And would you have me marry? Can't you speak? Say yes or no. _Mod_. No, cousin! _Helen_. Bravely said! And why, my gallant cousin? _Mod_. Why? _Helen_. Ay, why?-- Women, you know, are fond of reasons--why Would you not have me marry? How you blush! Is it because you do not know the reason? You mind me of a story of a cousin Who once her cousin such a question asked. He had not been to college, though--for books, Had passed his time in reading ladies' eyes. Which he could construe marvellously well, Though writ in language all symbolical. Thus stood they once together, on a day-- As we stand now--discoursed as we discourse,-- But with this difference,--fifty gentle words He spoke to her, for one she spoke to him!-- What a dear cousin! Well, as I did say, As now I questioned thee, she questioned him. And what was his reply? To think of it Sets my heart beating--'twas so kind a one! So like a cousin's answer--a dear cousin! A gentle, honest, gallant, loving cousin! What did he say?--A man might find it out, Though never read he Ovid's Art of Love-- What did he say? He'd marry her himself! How stupid are you, cousin! Let me go! _Mod_. You are not well yet? _Helen_. Yes. _Mod_. I'm sure you're not. _Helen_. I'm sure I am. _Mod_. Nay, let me hold you, cousin! I like it. _Helen_. Do you? I would wager you You could not tell me why you like it. Well? You see how true I know you! How you stare! What see you in my face to wonder at? _Mod_. A pair of eyes! _Helen_. At last he'll find his tongue--[Aside.] And saw you ne'er a pair of eyes before? _Mod_. Not such a pair. _Helen_. And why? _Mod_. They are so bright! You have a Grecian nose. _Helen_. Indeed. _Mod_. Indeed! _Helen_. What kind of mouth have I? _Mod_. A handsome one. I never saw so sweet a pair of lips! I ne'er saw lips at all till now, dear cousin! _Helen_. Cousin, I'm well,--you need not hold me now. Do you not hear? I tell you I am well! I need your arm no longer--take 't away! So tight it locks me, 'tis with pain I breathe! Let me go, cousin! Wherefore do you hold Your face so close to mine? What do you mean? _Mod_. You've questioned me, and now I'll question you. _Helen_. What would you learn? _Mod_. The use of lips. _Helen_. To speak. _Mod_. Naught else? _Helen_. How bold my modest cousin grows! Why, other use know you? _Mod_. I do!