_Val._ I mean your lover,--the man you came to meet. _Chris._ Oh heavens! what lover? what man? I came to see no man but you, whom I had too long lost. _Val._ You could not know that I was here. _Chris._ Ask her; 'twas she that told me. [_Points to_ ISABEL. _Val._ How could she know? _Chris._ That you shall know hereafter. _Val._ No, you thought me too far out of the way to disturb your assignation; and I assure you, madam, 'twas my ill-fortune, not my design: and that it may appear so, I do withdraw, as in all good breeding and civility I am obliged; for sure your wished-for lover's coming. _Chris._ What do you mean? are you a-weary of that title? _Val._ I am ashamed of it, since it grows common. [_Going out._ _Chris._ Nay, you will not, shall not go. _Val._ My stay might give him jealousy, and so do you injury, and him the greatest in the world: heavens forbid! I would not make a man jealous; for though you call a thousand vows, and oaths, and tears to witness (as you safely may), that you have not the least of love for me, yet if he ever knew how I have loved you, sure he would not, could not believe you. _Chris._ I do confess, your riddle is too hard for me to solve; therefore you are obliged to do't yourself. _Val._ I wish it were capable of any other interpretation than what you know already. _Chris._ Is this that generous good Valentine? who has disguised him so? [_Weeps._ _Vin._ Nay, I must withhold you then. [_Stops_ VALENTINE _going out._] Methinks she should be innocent; her tongue, and eyes, together with that flood that swells 'em, do vindicate her heart. _Val._ They show but their long practice of dissimulation. [_Going out._ _Vin._ Come back: I hear Ranger coming up: stay but till he comes. _Val._ Do you think I have the patience of an alderman? _Vin._ You may go out this way, when you will, by the back-stairs; but stay a little, till--Oh, here he comes. _Re-enter_ RANGER. _Upon his entrance_ CHRISTINA _puts on her mask._ _Val._ My revenge will now detain me. [VALENTINE _retires again._ _Ran._ [_Aside._]--What, come already! where is Dapperwit?--[_Aloud._] The blessing's double that comes quickly; I did not yet expect you here, otherwise I had not done myself the injury to be absent. But I hope, madam, I have not made you stay long for me. _Chris._ I have not staid at all for you. _Ran._ I am glad of it, madam. _Chris._ [_To_ ISABEL.] Is not this that troublesome stranger who last night followed the lady into my lodgings?--[_Aside._] 'Tis he. [_Removing from him to the other side._ _Ran._ [_Aside._] Why does she remove so disdainfully from me?--[_Aloud._] I find you take it ill I was not at your coming here, madam. _Chris._ Indeed I do not; you are mistaken, sir.