_Clar._ 'Twill be too late.
_Ism._ Sister, what think you if I go myself?
_Clar._ You should not be so daring; Besides, I blush to think what strange opinion He'll entertain of me the while.
_Ism._ Do not let that afflict you.
Fetch my Veil, and if _Antonio_ chance to ask for me, Tell him I'm gone to _Laura_. [Ex. _Isab._ Believe me, I will set all strait again.
Enter _Isabella_ with the Veil.
_Clar._ Thou hast more Courage, Girl, than I.
_Ism._ What need is there of much of that, To encounter a gay young Lover, Where I am sure there cannot be much danger?
_Clar._ Well, take your chance, I wish you luck, Sir, For I am e'en as much bent upon Revenge, As thou art upon Marriage.
_Ism._ Come, my Veil, this and the Night Will enough secure me. [Puts on the Veil and goes out.
[Ex. _Clar._ and _Isab._
SCENE V. A Chamber in _Alberto's_ House.
Discovers _Alberto_ and _Antonio_.
_Alb._ Nay, thou shalt see't before thou dost revenge it; In such a case, thy self should be the Witness, She knows not what has past to night between us, Nor should she, if thou couldst contain thy Rage; And that, _Antonio_, you shall promise me: To morrow place thy self behind the Arras, And from thy Eyes thy own Misfortunes know.
--What will not disobliged Passion do? [Aside.
_Ant._ I'll hide my Anger in a seeming calm, And what I have to do consult the while, And mask my Vengeance underneath a Smile. [Ex. _Ant._
Enter _Page_.
_Pag._ My Lord, there is without a Lady Desires to speak with you.
_Alb._ Who is't?
_Pag._ I know not, Sir, she's veiled. [Exit _Page_.
Enter _Ismena_ weeping.
_Alb._ Conduct her in.
_Ism._ Oh _Alberto_, _Isabella_ has undone us all!
_Alb._ She weeps, and looks as innocent!
--What mean you, false dissembling _Clarina_?
What, have you borrow'd from Deceit new Charms, And think'st to fool me to a new belief?
_Ism._ How, Sir, can you too be unkind?
Nay then 'tis time to die; alas, there wanted but your credit To this mistake, to make me truly miserable.
_Alb._ What Credit? What Mistake? oh, undeceive me, For I have done thee Injuries past Forgiveness, If thou be'st truly innocent.
_Ism._ If _Isabella_, under pretence of courting me For _Lorenzo_, whom she designs to Make a Husband, Has given him freedoms will undo my Honour, If not prevented soon.
_Alb._ May I credit this, and that it was not by thy Command she did it?
_Ism._ Be witness, Heaven, my Innocence in this, Which if you will believe, I'm safe again.
_Alb._ I do believe thee, but thou art not safe, Here, take this Poyniard, and revenge thy Wrongs, Wrongs which I dare not beg a Pardon for. [He gives her a Dagger.
_Ism._ Why, Sir, what have you done? have you Deceiv'd me, and do you not indeed love me?
_Alb._ Oh _Clarina!_ do not ask that Question, Too much of that has made me ruin thee; It made me jealous, drunk with Jealousy, And then I did unravel all my Secrets.
_Ism._ What Secrets, Sir? you have then seen _Antonio_.
_Alb._ Yes.
_Ism._ Hah--Now, Wit, if e'er thou did'st possess A Woman, assist her at her need. [Aside.
--Well, Sir, rise and tell me all.
_Alb._ I will not rise till you have pardoned me, Or punished my Misfortune.
_Ism._ Be what it will, I do forgive it thee.
_Alb._ _Antonio_, Madam, knows my Happiness, For in my Rage I told him that you lov'd me; --What shall I do?
_Ism._ I cannot blame you though it were unkind.
_Alb._ This I could help, but I have promis'd him, That he shall be a witness of this Truth; What say you, Madam, do I not merit Death?
Oh speak, and let me know my doom whate'er it be.
_Ism._ Make good your Word.
_Alb._ What mean you?
_Ism._ What you have promised him, perform as you intended.
_Alb._ What then?
_Ism._ Then come as you design'd to visit me.
_Alb._ But let me know what 'tis you mean to do, That I may act accordingly.
_Ism._ No. Answer me to every Question ask'd, And I perhaps may set all strait again; It is now late, and I must not be missing: But if you love me, be no more jealous of me, --Farewel.
_Alb._ Must I be ignorant then of your Design?