d 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 VIII.

MASKWELL _alone_.

Till then, success will attend me; for when I meet you, I meet the only
obstacle to my fortune. Cynthia, let thy beauty gild my crimes; and
whatsoever I commit of treachery or deceit, shall be imputed to me as a
merit. Treachery? What treachery? Love cancels all the bonds of
friendship, and sets men right upon their first foundations.

Duty to kings, piety to parents, gratitude to benefactors, and fidelity
to friends, are different and particular ties. But the name of rival
cuts 'em all asunder, and is a general acquittance. Rival is equal, and
love like de