_Alon._ Sure, if my Eyes deceive me not, I saw _Aurelia_ with the Count just parting hence: Dissolv'd in Love, and languishing they seem'd. Damnation---- I cannot bear the Thought--I'll after 'em. Alonzo _going_. _Enter_ Florella. _Flor. aside._ Ha----_Alonzo_ here! I must prevent a Discovery. _Alon._ _Florella_ here! she comes opportunely----she may inform me of what I yet but fear----Good-morrow, _Florella_: How fares my Love, my dear _Aurelia_? _Flor._ Signior, Good-morrow; you are an early Visitant. _Alon._ Not for a Man in Love; but answer me, How does _Aurelia_? _Flor._ Well in Health----Only she's now and then in a little Fit of Melancholy, such as usually proceeds from timorous Doubts about that dreadful State of Matrimony. You know the Time draws nigh that gives her to your Arms. _Alon._ By Heaven! 'Tis an Age, there's six Days yet to come. _Flor._ An Age, indeed, if he knew all. [_Aside._ _Alon._ But haste, _Florella_; lead me to my Dear, She only can contract that tedious Age Of lingring Pain, and sooth it with her Smiles. Say, is she alone? _Flor._ Yes----No---- Oh! Heaven! What shall I say? [_Aside._ She, she's a---- _Alon._ Ha----What means this faultering Answer? All's not right, and my Suspicion's true. _Flor._ Signior, my Lady is not drest, and I shall displease her, in admitting even you, without her Leave. _Alon._ Ha----not drest----Take heed you mock me not; Nor think to blind me with your feign'd Excuse: For in your guilty Face I read the Truth. Come, tell me who's with her? is't not _Bassino_? _Flor. aside._ Oh! Heaven! What shall I say? _Alon._ Nay, nay, no Study: Lying will not do: I saw 'em part from hence, just now I saw 'em. Harkee, sweet Mistress, how long have you practis'd This subtle Trade? I find you're much improv'd. Hell and Damnation----quickly, tell me What did _Bassino_ give for his Admittance? I'll double the Reward--but she's not drest for me---- Oh! damn'd, damn'd Sex! _Flor._ Signior, what do you mean? _Alon._ To see _Aurelia_----see her instantly---- Nay by Heaven! I will: All Opposition's vain: For by th' avenging Power of Love I swear, Tho' in _Bassino_'s Arms, I'll drag her thence, Only to cast her from my Sight for ever: Nor shall he live to triumph in my Shame. What tho' the Marriage Rites be not perform'd, Yet I may call her Wife. Her Father gave her to me: And her own Vows have fix'd my Heart in her's. Must then _Alonzo_ be deny'd Admittance, Under that poor Pretence that she's not drest? Whilst base _Bassino_ lies dissolv'd in Pleasures On her perfidious Breast----Oh! killing Thought! She makes my Name of Husband infamous, Even before the Priest has join'd our Hands. I'll in, and if th' Affront I tamely bear, May Heaven deny me at my latest Prayer. [_Exeunt._ SCENE IV. Ludovico's _Lodgings_. Ludovico _solus_.