第 十七 章 · LADY TOUCHWOOD, MASKWELL, MELLEFONT _absconding_.

MASK. I confess you do reproach me when I see you here before me; but

'tis fit I should be still behindhand, still to be more and more indebted

to your goodness.

LADY TOUCH. You can excuse a fault too well, not to have been to blame.

A ready answer shows you were prepared.

MASK. Guilt is ever at a loss, and confusion waits upon it; when

innocence and bold truth are always ready for expression.

LADY TOUCH. Not in love: words are the weak support of cold

indifference; love has no language to be heard.

MASK. Excess of joy has made me stupid! Thus may my lips be ever

closed. [_Kisses her_.] And thus--O who would not lose his speech, upon

condition to have joys above it?

LADY TOUCH. Hold, let me lock the door first. [_Goes to the door_.]

MASK. [_Aside_.] That I believed; 'twas well I left the private passage

open.

LADY TOUCH. So, that's safe.

MASK. And so may all your pleasures be, and secret as this kiss--

MEL. And may all treachery be thus discovered. [_Leaps out_.]

LADY TOUCH. Ah! [_Shrieks_.]

MEL. Villain! [_Offers to draw_.]

MASK. Nay, then, there's but one way. [_Runs out_.]

SCENE 18.