_Chris._ You are to know, then, (since needs you must,) it was not me you followed last night to my lodging from the Park, but some kinswoman of yours, it seems, whose fear of being discovered by you prevailed with me to personate her, while she withdrew, our habits and our statures being much alike; which I did with as much difficulty, as she used importunity to make me; and all this my Lady Flippant can witness, who was then with your cousin. _Val._ I am glad to hear this. [_Aside._ _Chris._ Now, what your claim to me, at Mr. Vincent's lodging, meant; the letter and promises you unworthily, or erroneously, laid to my charge, you must explain to me and others, or-- _Val._ How's this! I hope I shall discover no guilt but my own:--she would not speak in threats to a lover. [_Aside._ _Chris._ Was it because you found me in Mr. Vincent's lodgings you took a liberty to use me like one of your common visitants? but know, I came no more to Mr. Vincent than you. Yet, I confess, my visit was intended to a man--a brave man, till you made him use a woman ill; worthy the love of a princess, till you made him censure mine; good as angels, till you made him unjust:--why, in the name of honour, would you do't? _Val._ How happily am I disappointed!--poor injured Christina! [_Aside._ _Chris._ He would have sought me out first, if you had not made him fly from me. Our mutual love, confirmed by a contract, made our hearts inseparable, till you rudely, if not maliciously, thrust in upon us, and broke the close and happy knot: I had lost him before for a month, now for ever. [_Weeps._ _Val._ My joy and pity makes me as mute as my shame; yet I must discover myself. [_Aside._ _Chris._ Your silence is a confession of your guilt. _Val._ I own it. [_Aside._ _Chris._ But that will not serve my turn; for straight you must go clear yourself and me to him you have injured in me! if he has not made too much haste from me to be found again. You must, I say; for he is a man that will have satisfaction; and in satisfying him, you do me. _Val._ Then he is satisfied. _Chris._ How! is it you? then I am not satisfied. _Val._ Will you be worse than your word? _Chris._ I gave it not to you. _Val._ Come, dear Christina, the jealous, like the drunkard, has his punishment with his offence. _Re-enter_ VINCENT. _Vin._ Valentine! Mr. Valentine! _Val._ Vincent!-- _Vin._ Where have you been all this while? [VALENTINE _holds_ CHRISTINA _by the hand; who seems to struggle to get from him._ _Val._ Here with my injured Christina. _Vin._ She's behind with Ranger, who is forced to speak all the tender things himself; for she affords him not a word. _Val._ Pish! pish! Vincent; who is blind now? who deceived now? _Vin._ You are; for I'm sure Christina is with him. Come back and see. [_They go out on one side, and return on the other._ _Re-enter_ LYDIA _and_ LEONORE, _followed by_ RANGER.