Bab Bab 7 · [_To him_] MASKWELL.

MEL. Maskwell, welcome, thy presence is a view of land, appearing to my

shipwrecked hopes. The witch has raised the storm, and her ministers

have done their work: you see the vessels are parted.

MASK. I know it. I met Sir Paul towing away Cynthia. Come, trouble not

your head; I'll join you together ere to-morrow morning, or drown between

you in the attempt.

MEL. There's comfort in a hand stretched out to one that's sinking;

though ne'er so far off.

MASK. No sinking, nor no danger. Come, cheer up; why, you don't know

that while I plead for you, your aunt has given me a retaining fee. Nay,

I am your greatest enemy, and she does but journey-work under me.

MEL. Ha! how's this?

MASK. What d'ye think of my being employed in the execution of all her

plots? Ha, ha, ha, by heav'n, it's true: I have undertaken to break the

match; I have undertaken to make your uncle disinherit you; to get you

turned out of doors; and to--ha, ha, ha, I can't tell you for laughing.

Oh, she has opened her heart to me! I am to turn you a-grazing, and

to--ha, ha, ha, marry Cynthia myself. There's a plot for you.

MEL. Ha! Oh, see, I see my rising sun! Light breaks through clouds

upon me, and I shall live in day--Oh, my Maskwell! how shall I thank or

praise thee? Thou hast outwitted woman. But, tell me, how couldst thou

thus get into her confidence? Ha! How? But was it her contrivance to

persuade my Lady Plyant to this extravagant belief?

MASK. It was; and to tell you the truth, I encouraged it for your

diversion. Though it made you a little uneasy for the present, yet the

reflection of it must needs be entertaining. I warrant she was very

violent at first.

MEL. Ha, ha, ha, ay, a very fury; but I was most afraid of her violence

at last. If you had not come as you did, I don't know what she might

have attempted.

MASK. Ha, ha, ha, I know her temper. Well, you must know, then, that

all my contrivances were but bubbles, till at last I pretended to have

been long secretly in love with Cynthia; that did my business, that

convinced your aunt I might be trusted; since it was as much my interest

as hers to break the match. Then, she thought my jealousy might qualify

me to assist her in her revenge. And, in short, in that belief, told me

the secrets of her heart. At length we made this agreement, if I

accomplish her designs (as I told you before) she has engaged to put

Cynthia with all her fortune into my power.

MEL. She is most gracious in her favour. Well, and, dear Jack, how hast

thou contrived?

MASK. I would not have you stay to hear it now; for I don't know but she

may come this way. I am to meet her anon; after that, I'll tell you the

whole matter. Be here in this gallery an hour hence; by that time I

imagine our consultation may be over.

MEL. I will; till then success attend thee.

SCENE 8.