_Fred._ Ascanio, remove these quickly. [ASCANIO _takes away the habits, and Exit._ _Duke._ [_Returning._] How do you find yourself? _Fred._ [_Arising._] Much better, sir: That which pained me is removed. As it came unexpectedly, so it went as suddenly. _Enter_ VALERIO. _Duke._ The air, perhaps, will do you good. If you have health, you may see those troops drawn out, which I design for Milan. _Fred._ Shall I wait your highness? _Duke._ No, leave me here with Valerio; I have a little business, which dispatched, I'll follow you immediately.--Well, what success, Valerio? [_Exit_ FREDERICK. _Val._ Our endeavours are in vain, sir; there has been inquiry made about all the palaces in Rome, and neither of the masking habits can be discovered. _Duke._ Yet it must be a woman of quality. What paper's that at my foot? _Val._ [_Taking up the letter._] 'Tis sealed, sir, and directed to the prince. _Duke._ [_Taking the letter._] 'Tis a woman's, hand. Has he got a mistress in town so soon? I am resolved to open it, though I do not approve my own curiosity. [_Opens and reads it._ _Now my fear is over, I can laugh at my last night's adventure. I find that at fifty all men grow incorrigible, and lovers especially; for, certainly, never any creature could be worse treated than your father;_ [How's this, Valerio? I am amazed.] _and yet the good, old, out-of-fashion gentleman heard himself rallied and bore it with all the patience of a Christian prince._ [Now, 'tis plain, the lady in masquerade is a mistress of my son's, and the undutiful wretch was in the plot to abuse me.] _Ascanio will tell you the latter part of our misfortune, how hardly we got into the cloister._ [A nun, too! Oh, the devil!] _When we meet next, pray provide to laugh heartily; for there is subject sufficient for a plentiful fit, and fop enough to spare for another time._ LUCRETIA. _Val._ Lucretia! now the mystery is unfolded. _Duke._ Do you know her? _Val._ When I was last at Rome I saw her often; she is near kinswoman to the present Pope; and, before he placed her in this nunnery of Benedictines, was the most celebrated beauty of the town. _Duke._ I know I ought to hate this woman, because she has affronted me thus grossly; but yet, I cannot help it, I must love her. _Val._ But, sir, you come on too much disadvantage to be your son's rival. _Duke._ I am deaf to all considerations: Pr'ythee do not think of giving a madman counsel. Pity me, and cure me, if thou canst; but remember, there's but one infallible medicine,--that's enjoyment. _Val._ I had forgot to tell you, sir, that the governor, Don Mario, is without, to wait on you. _Duke._ Desire him to come in. _Enter Don_ MARIO. _Mar._ I am come, sir, to beg a favour from your highness; and 'tis on the behalf of my sister Sophronia, abbess of the Torr' di Specchi.