_Bel._ Nay, I imagined as much: Do but look upon his physiognomy--you have read Baptista Porta? Has he not the leer of a very lewd, debauched spirit? _Alon._ He has indeed: Then there's my niece Aurelia, with the spirit of Don Lopez; but that's well enough; and my daughter Theodosia all alone: Pray how comes that about? _Bel._ She's provided for with a familiar too: One that is in this very room with you, and by your elbow; but I'll shew you him some other time. _Alon._ And that baggage Beatrix, how I would swinge her, if I had her here: I'll lay my life she was in the plot for the flight of her mistresses. [BEAT. _claps her hands at him._ _Bel._ Sir, you do ill to provoke her; for being the spirit of a woman, she is naturally mischievous: You see she can scarce hold her hands from you already. _Mask._ Let me alone to revenge your quarrel upon Beatrix: If e'er she come to light, I'll take a course with her, I warrant you, sir. _Bel._ Now come away, sir, you have seen enough; the spirits are in pain whilst we are here: We keep them too long condensed in bodies; if we were gone, they would rarify into air immediately.--Maskall, shut the door. [MASK. _goes to the scene, and it closes._ Alon. _Monstrum hominis!_ O prodigy of science! _Enter two Servants with Don_ MELCHOR. _Bel._ Now help me with a lie, Maskall, or we are lost. _Mask._ Sir, I could never lie with man or woman in a fright. _Serv._ Sir, we found this gentleman bound and gagged, and he desired us to bring him to you with all haste imaginable. _Mel._ O, sir, sir! your two daughters and your niece---- _Bel._ They are gone; he knows it:--But are you mad, sir, to set this pernicious wretch at liberty? _Mel._ I endeavoured all that I was able---- _Mask._ Now, sir, I have it for you. [_Aside to his master_.]--He was endeavouring, indeed, to have got away with them; for your daughter Theodosia was his prize. But we prevented him, and left him in the condition in which you see him. _Alon._ I thought somewhat was the matter, that Theodosia had not a spirit by her, as her sister had. _Bel._ This was he I meant to shew you. _Mel._ Do you believe him, sir? _Bel._ No, no, believe him, sir: You know his truth, ever since he stole your daughter's diamond. _Mel._ I swear to you, by my honour-- _Alon._ Nay, a thief I knew him; and yet, after that, he had the impudence to ask me for my daughter. _Bel._ Was he so impudent? The case is plain, sir; put him quickly into custody. _Mel._ Hear me but one word, sir, and I'll discover all to you. _Bel._ Hear him not, sir; for my art assures me, if he speaks one syllable more, he will cause great mischief. _Alon._ Will he so? I'll stop my ears; away with him. _Mel._ Your daughters are yet in the garden, hidden by this fellow and his accomplices. _Alon._ [_At the same time, drowning him_.] I'll stop my ears, I'll stop my ears.