_Dor._ But how do you know she's sick a-bed? _Pala._ She sent her husband word so. _Dor._ And are you such a novice in love, to believe a wife's message to her husband? _Pala._ Why, what the devil should be her meaning else? _Dor._ It may be, to go in masquerade, as well as you; to observe your haunts, and keep you company without your knowledge. _Pala._ Nay, I'll trust her for that: She loves me too well, to disguise herself from me. _Dor._ If I were she, I would disguise on purpose to try your wit; and come to my servant like a riddle,--Read me, and take me. _Pala._ I could know her in any shape: My good genius would prompt me to find out a handsome woman: There's something that would attract me to her without my knowledge. _Dor._ Then you make a load-stone of your mistress? _Pala._ Yes, and I carry steel about me, which has been so often touched, that it never fails to point to the north pole. _Dor._ Yet still my mind gives me, that you have met her disguised to-night, and have not known her. _Pala._ This is the most pragmatical conceited little fellow, he will needs understand my business better than myself. I tell thee, once more, thou dost not know my mistress. _Dor._ And I tell you once more, that I know her better than you do. _Pala._ The boy's resolved to have the last word. I find I must go without reply. [_Exit._ _Dor._ Ah mischief, I have lost him with my fooling. Palamede, Palamede! _He returns. She plucks off her peruke, and puts it on again when he knows her._ _Pala._ O heavens! is it you, madam? _Dor._ Now, where was your good genius, that would prompt you to find me out? _Pala._ Why, you see I was not deceived; you yourself were my good genius. _Dor._ But where was the steel, that knew the load-stone? Ha? _Pala._ The truth is, madam, the steel has lost its virtue: and, therefore, if you please, we'll new touch it. _Enter_ RHODOPHIL; _and_ MELANTHA _in Boys habit._ RHODOPHIL _sees_ PALAMEDE _kissing_ DORALICE'S _hand._ _Rho._ Palamede again! am I fallen into your quarters? What? Engaging with a boy? Is all honourable? _Pala._ O, very honourable on my side. I was just chastising this young villain; he was running away, without paying his share of the reckoning. _Rho._ Then I find I was deceived in him. _Pala._ Yes, you are deceived in him: 'tis the archest rogue, if you did but know him. _Mel._ Good Rhodophil, let us get off _a-la derobbee_, for fear I should be discovered. _Rho._ There's no retiring now; I warrant you for discovery. Now have I the oddest thought, to entertain you before your servant's face, and he never the wiser; it will be the prettiest juggling trick, to cheat him when he looks upon us. _Mel._ This is the strangest caprice in you.