_Dul._ How may I rest assured? _Phi._ Truly thus--do not tell it me. _Dul._ Why, canst thou not conceal a secret? _Phi._ Yes, as long as it is a secret, but when two know it, how can it be a secret? and, indeed, with what justice can you expect secrecy in me that cannot be private to yourself? 179 _Dul._ Faith, Philocalia, I must of force trust thy silence; for my breast breaks if I confer not my thoughts upon thee. _Phi._ You may trust my silence; I can command that; but if I chance to be questioned I must speak truth: I can conceal, but not deny my knowledge. That must command me. _Dul._ Fie on these philosophical discoursing women! Prithee confer with me like a creature made of flesh and blood, and tell me if it be not a scandal to the soul of all being, proportion, that I, a female of fifteen,[210] of a lightsome and civil discretion--healthy, lusty, vigorous, full, and idle--should for ever be shackled to the crampy shins of a wayward, dull, sour, austere, rough, rheumy threescore and four? 194 _Phi._ Nay, threescore and ten at the least. _Dul._ Now, Heaven bless me! as it is pity that every knave is not a fool, so it is shame that every old man is not, and resteth not, a widower. They say in China, when women are past child-bearing, they are all burnt to make gunpowder. I wonder what men should be done withal when they are past child-getting. Yet, upon my love, Philocalia (which with ladies is often above their honour), I do even dote upon the best part of the duke. _Phi._ What's that? 204 _Dul._ His son; yes, sooth, and so love him, that I must marry him. _Phi._ And wherefore love him so, to marry him? _Dul._ Because I love him; and because he is virtuous I love to marry. _Phi._ His virtues! 210 _Dul._ Ay, with him, his virtues. _Phi._ Ay, with him! alas, sweet princess, love or virtue are not of the essence of marriage! _Dul._ A jest[211] upon your understanding! I'll maintain that wisdom in a woman is most foolish quality. A lady of a good complexion, naturally well witted, perfectly bred, and well exercised in discourse of the best men, shall make fools of a thousand of these book-thinking creatures. I speak it by way of justification, I tell thee (look that nobody eavesdrop us),--I tell thee, I am truly learned, for I protest ignorance;[212] and wise, for I love myself; and virtuous enough for a lady of fifteen. 223 _Phi._ How virtuous?