_Carl._ Yes, and _For better for worse_,--that is, for virgin, or for whore; as you will, Sancho, who are listing yourself into the honourable company of cuckolds. _San._ What, a hero as I am, to be a cuckold? _Carl._ Do not disdain your calling; Julius Cæsar was one before you. The Count has had her by her own confession; so she's a nobleman's dowager, for your comfort. _San._ Pugh, she denied it afterwards; that was but a copy of her countenance. _Carl._ What if it prove a copy of the Conde's countenance? do you think she had not a bastard by him? _San._ That was only a plot betwixt us, to cheat her father. _Carl._ Did her father know nothing of it? _San._ Not a syllable. _Carl._ Then, when he believed you to be the Count, how came he to charge you with enjoying her? _San._ That is something to the purpose;--but now I think on't, 'tis nothing neither; 'tis but asking her the question, and I know she'll satisfy me. _Carl._ And you are resolved to take her word? _San._ Rather than yours; for you may have a mind to have a lick at the honey-pot yourself. _Carl._ Farewell; you know I have other business upon the stocks. [_Seems going out._ _San._ Stay, Carlos; I am afraid you know something more of this bawdy business than you confess. _Carl._ Fecks, not I. _San._ Fecks! what a sneaking oath is that for a man of honour? swear me bloodily like a soldier, if you would be believed. _Carl._ Without swearing, I believe her honest; therefore make sure of her immediately. _San._ That is, take a rival's counsel, and make sure of being an antedated cuckold. _Carl._ If you won't believe me, I cannot help it. But marry Dalinda, and be happy; for I may prevent you, if you make not haste. _San._ Thou hast cheated me so often, that I cannot credit one syllable thou sayest. _Carl._ [_Going out._] Then take your fortune.-- [CARLOS _pulls out his handkerchief to wipe his face, and drops a letter._ Yonder comes Dalinda; I know her by her trip. I'll watch their greeting. [_Exit._ _San._ The rogue's malicious, and would have me marry her in spite; besides he is off and on at so devilish a rate, a man knows not where to have him. Well, I am resolved, in the first place, not to follow the rogue's counsel. I will not marry her, because he advised me to it;--and yet I will marry her, because he counselled me not to marry her.--Hey-day! I will marry her, and I will not marry her! what's the meaning of this, friend Sancho? That's taking the rogue's advice one way or t'other. [_Sees the letter and takes it up._] What, has he dropt a letter! To whom is it directed? to Don Carlos D'Ybarra;--that is himself. [_Mutters, as reading to himself._ _Dalinda's fair, and a fortune; but marry her not; for to my knowledge_ (pox confound him for his knowledge) _she has had a_----(What a----Mr Friend? why--) _a bastard, by the late Conde_: (Ay, I thought as much.) _But his sister Leonora is in love with you._