_Aur._ Yes, if I cannot do it to more purpose with my counsel. Let us first play the fairest of our game; 'tis time enough to snatch when we have lost it. [_Exeunt._ SCENE III.--_A Chapel._ _The_ DUKE, VALERIO, _Attendants. At the other door,_ LAURA, VIOLETTA, BEATRIX, MARIO. _Instrumental and vocal music; in the time of which, enter_ AURELIAN _and_ CAMILLO. _After the music, enter_ SOPHRONIA, LUCRETIA, HIPPOLITA, _and other Nuns._ _Duke._ [_To_ VALERIO, _who had whispered to him._] I needed not those marks to know her. She's one continued excellence; she's all over miracle. _Soph._ [_To the_ DUKE.] We know, sir, we are not capable by our entertainment, of adding any thing to your pleasures; and therefore we must attribute this favour of your presence, to your piety and devotion. _Duke._ You have treated me with harmony so excellent, that I believed myself among a choir of angels; especially when I beheld so fair a troop behind you. _Soph._ Their beauty, sir, is wholly dedicated to heaven, and is no way ambitious of a commendation, which, from your mouth, might raise a pride in any other of the sex. _Cam._ I am impatient, and can bear no longer. Let what will happen-- _Aur._ Do you not see your ruin inevitable? Draw in a holy place! and in the presence of the Duke! _Mar._ I do not like Camillo's being here: I must cut short the ceremony. [_Whispers_ SOPHRONIA. _Soph._ [_To_ LAURA _and_ VIOLETTA.] Come, fair cousins, we hope to make the cloisteral life so pleasing, that it may be an inducement to you to quit the wicked world for ever. _Vio._ [_Passing by_ CAMILLO.] Take that, and read it at your leisure. [_Conveys a note into his hand._ _Cam._ A ticket, as I live, Aurelian. _Aur._ Steal off, and be thankful: if that be my Beatrix with Laura, she's most confoundedly ugly. If ever we had come to love-work, and a candle had been brought us, I had fallen back from that face, like a buck-rabbit in coupling. [_Exeunt_ CAMILLO _and_ AURELIAN. _Soph._ Daughters, the time of our devotion calls us.--All happiness to your highness. _Luc._ [_To_ HIPPOLITA.] Little thinks my venerable old love there, that his mistress in masquerade is so near him. Now do I even long to abuse that fop-gravity again. _Hip._ Methinks, he looks on us. _Luc._ Farewell, poor love; I am she, I am, for all my demure looks, that treated thee so inhumanly last night. [_She is going off, after_ SOPHRONIA. _Duke._ [_following her._] Stay, lady; I would speak with you. _Luc._ Ah! [_Shrieking._ _Soph._ How now, daughter? What's the meaning of that indecent noise you make? _Luc._ [_Aside._] If I speak to him, he will discover my voice, and then I am ruined. _Duke._ If your name be Lucretia, I have some business of concernment with you.