_Ran._ [_Aside._] But I lose time; I should lay a little parson in ambush, that lives hard by, in case Christina should be impatient to be revenged of her friends, as it often happens with a discontented heiress. Women, like old soldiers, more nimbly execute than they resolve. [_Going out._ _Vin._ What now! you will not disappoint a woman of Christina's quality? _Ran._ I'll be here before she comes, I warrant you. [_Exit._ _Vin._ I do believe you truly!--What think you, Valentine? _Val._ [_Coming forward._] I think, since she has the courage to challenge him, she'll have the honour of being first in the field. _Vin._ Fy, your opinion of her must be as bad, as Ranger's of himself is good, to think she would write to him. I long till his bona-roba[48] comes, that you may be both disabused. _Val._ And I have not patience to stay her coming, lest you should be disabused. _Enter_ CHRISTINA _and_ ISABEL. _Vin._ Here she is, i'faith; I'm glad she's come. _Val._ And I'm sorry. But I will to my post again, lest she should say she came to me. [_Retires as before._ _Vin._ [_Aside._] By heavens, Christina herself! 'tis she! [CHRISTINA _pulls off her mask._ _Val._ 'Tis she:--cursed be these eyes! more cursed than when they first betrayed me to that false bewitching face. [_Aside._ _Chris._ You may wonder, sir, to see me here-- _Vin._ I must confess I do. _Chris._ But the confidence your friend has in you is the cause of mine; and yet some blushes it does cost me to come to seek a man. _Val._ Modest creature! [_Aside._ _Vin._ How am I deceived! [_Aside._ _Chris._ Where is he, sir? why does he not appear, to keep me in countenance? pray call him, sir; 'tis something hard if he should know I'm here. _Vin._ I hardly can myself believe you are here, madam. _Chris._ If my visit be troublesome or unseasonable, 'tis your friend's fault; I designed it not to you, sir. Pray call him out, that he may excuse it, and take it on himself, together with my shame. _Vin._ How impatient she is! [_Aside._ _Chris._ Or do you delay the happiness I ask, to make it more welcome? I have stayed too long for it already, and cannot more desire it. Dear sir, call him out. Where is he? above, or here within? I'll snatch the favour which you will not give.--[_Goes to the door and discovers_ VALENTINE.] What! Do you hide yourself for shame? _Val._ [_Coming forward._] I must confess I do. _Chris._ To see me come hither-- _Val._ I acknowledge it. [VALENTINE _offers to go out._ _Chris._ Before you came to me? But whither do you go? come, I can forgive you. _Val._ But I cannot forgive you. _Chris._ Whither do you go? you need not forge a quarrel to prevent mine to you: nor need you try if I would follow you, you know I will;--I have, you see. _Val._ That impudence should look so like innocence! [_Aside._ _Chris._ Whither would you go? why would you go? _Val._ To call your servant to you. _Chris._ She is here; what would you have with her?