The thought"s a sudden one,--that will excuse Defect in your appointments. A plain dress,-- So "tis of white,--will do.
_Helen_. I"ll dress in black.
I"ll quit the castle.
_Wal_. That you shall not do.
Its doors are guarded by my lord"s domestics, Its avenues--its grounds. What you must do, Do with a good grace! In an hour, or less, Your father will be here. Make up your mind To take with thankfulness the man he gives you.
Now, [Aside] if they find not out how beat their hearts, I have no skill, not I, in feeling pulses.
[Goes out.]
_Helen_. Why, cousin Modus! What! will you stand by And see me forced to marry? Cousin Modus!
Have you not got a tongue? Have you not eyes?
Do you not see I"m very--very ill, And not a chair in all the corridor?
_Mod_. I"ll find one in the study.
_Helen_. Hang the study!
_Mod_. My room"s at hand. I"ll fetch one thence.
_Helen_. You shan"t I"d faint ere you came back!
_Mod_. What shall I do?
_Helen_. Why don"t you offer to support me? Well?
Give me your arm--be quick! [MODUS offers his arm.]
Is that the way To help a lady when she"s like to faint?
I"ll drop unless you catch me! [MODUS supports her.]
That will do.
I"m better now--[MODUS offers to leave her] don"t leave me! Is one well Because one"s better? Hold my hand. Keep so.
I"ll soon recover so you move not. Loves he--
[Aside.]
Which I"ll be sworn he does, he"ll own it now.
Well, cousin Modus?
_Mod_. Well, sweet cousin!
_Helen_. Well?
You heard what Master Walter said?
_Mod_. I did.
_Helen_. And would you have me marry? Can"t you speak?
Say yes or no.
_Mod_. No, cousin!
_Helen_. Bravely said!
And why, my gallant cousin?
_Mod_. Why?
_Helen_. Ay, why?-- Women, you know, are fond of reasons--why Would you not have me marry? How you blush!
Is it because you do not know the reason?
You mind me of a story of a cousin Who once her cousin such a question asked.
He had not been to college, though--for books, Had pa.s.sed his time in reading ladies" eyes.
Which he could construe marvellously well, Though writ in language all symbolical.
Thus stood they once together, on a day-- As we stand now--discoursed as we discourse,-- But with this difference,--fifty gentle words He spoke to her, for one she spoke to him!-- What a dear cousin! Well, as I did say, As now I questioned thee, she questioned him.
And what was his reply? To think of it Sets my heart beating--"twas so kind a one!
So like a cousin"s answer--a dear cousin!
A gentle, honest, gallant, loving cousin!
What did he say?--A man might find it out, Though never read he Ovid"s Art of Love-- What did he say? He"d marry her himself!
How stupid are you, cousin! Let me go!
_Mod_. You are not well yet?
_Helen_. Yes.
_Mod_. I"m sure you"re not.
_Helen_. I"m sure I am.
_Mod_. Nay, let me hold you, cousin! I like it.
_Helen_. Do you? I would wager you You could not tell me why you like it. Well?
You see how true I know you! How you stare!
What see you in my face to wonder at?
_Mod_. A pair of eyes!
_Helen_. At last he"ll find his tongue--[Aside.]
And saw you ne"er a pair of eyes before?
_Mod_. Not such a pair.
_Helen_. And why?
_Mod_. They are so bright!
You have a Grecian nose.
_Helen_. Indeed.
_Mod_. Indeed!
_Helen_. What kind of mouth have I?
_Mod_. A handsome one. I never saw so sweet a pair of lips!