gallery, there is a back way into it, so that you need not come through
this door, and a pair of private stairs leading down to the stables. It
will be more convenient.

CYNT. I am guided by you; but Mellefont will mistake.

MASK. No, no, I'll after him immediately, and tell him.

CYNT. I will not fail.

SCENE XI.

MASKWELL _alone_.

MASK. Why, _qui vult decipi decipiatur_.--'Tis no fault of mine: I have
told 'em in plain terms how easy 'tis for me to cheat 'em, and if they
will not hear the serpent's hiss, they must be stung into experience and
future caution. Now to prepare my lord to consent to this. But first I
must instruct my little Levite; there is no plot, public or private, that
can expect to prosper without one of them has a finger in't: he promised
me to be within at this hour,--Mr. Saygrace, Mr. Saygrace! [_Goes to the
chamber door and knocks_.]

SCENE XII.

MASKWELL, SAYGRACE.

SAYGRACE [_looking out_.] Sweet sir, I will but pen the last line of an
acrostic, and be with you in the twinkling of an ejaculation, in the
pronouncing of an Amen, or before you can--

MASK. Nay, good Mr. Saygrace, do not prolong the time by describing to
me the shortness of your stay; rather if you please, defer the finishing
of your wit, and let us talk about our business; it shall be tithes in
your way.

SAYGRACE. [_Enters_.] You shall prevail: I would break off in the
middle of a sermon to do you a pleasure.

MASK. You could not do me a greater,--except the business in hand. Have
you provided a habit for Mellefont?

SAYGRACE. I have; they are ready in my chamber, together with a clean
starched band and cuffs.

MASK. Good, let them be carried to him; have you stitched the gown
sleeve, that he may be puzzled, and waste time in putting it on?

SAYGRACE. I have: the gown will not be indued without perplexity.

MASK. Meet me in half-an-hour, here in your own chamber. When Cynthia
comes, let there be no light, and do not speak, that she may not
distinguish you from Mellefont. I'll urge haste to excuse your silence.

SAYGRACE. You have no more commands?

MASK. None: your text is short.

SAYGRACE. But pithy: and I will handle it with discretion.

MASK. It will be the first you have so served.

SCENE XIII.

LORD TOUCHWOOD, MASKWELL.

LORD TOUCH. Sure I was born to be controlled by those I should command.
My very slaves will shortly give me rules how I shall govern them.