adventures; for I was assured by Beatrix, this morning, that her two
mistresses are to be put in pension, in the nunnery of Benedictines,
this afternoon.

_Cam._ Then I am miserable.

_Aur._ And you have deferred the telling it, till it is past time to
study for prevention.

_Cam._ Let us run thither immediately, and either perish in't, or free
them. You'll assist me with your sword?

_Aur._ Yes, if I cannot do it to more purpose with my counsel. Let us
first play the fairest of our game; 'tis time enough to snatch when we
have lost it. [_Exeunt._

SCENE III.--_A Chapel._

_The_ DUKE, VALERIO, _Attendants. At the other door,_ LAURA,
VIOLETTA, BEATRIX, MARIO. _Instrumental and vocal music; in the time
of which, enter_ AURELIAN _and_ CAMILLO. _After the music, enter_
SOPHRONIA, LUCRETIA, HIPPOLITA, _and other Nuns._

_Duke._ [_To_ VALERIO, _who had whispered to him._] I needed not those
marks to know her. She's one continued excellence; she's all over
miracle.

_Soph._ [_To the_ DUKE.] We know, sir, we are not capable by our
entertainment, of adding any thing to your pleasures; and therefore we
must attribute this favour of your presence, to your piety and
devotion.

_Duke._ You have treated me with harmony so excellent, that I believed
myself among a choir of angels; especially when I beheld so fair a
troop behind you.

_Soph._ Their beauty, sir, is wholly dedicated to heaven, and is no
way ambitious of a commendation, which, from your mouth, might raise a
pride in any other of the sex.

_Cam._ I am impatient, and can bear no longer. Let what will happen--

_Aur._ Do you not see your ruin inevitable? Draw in a holy place! and
in the presence of the Duke!

_Mar._ I do not like Camillo's being here: I must cut short the
ceremony. [_Whispers_ SOPHRONIA.

_Soph._ [_To_ LAURA _and_ VIOLETTA.] Come, fair cousins, we hope to
make the cloisteral life so pleasing, that it may be an inducement to
you to quit the wicked world for ever.

_Vio._ [_Passing by_ CAMILLO.] Take that, and read it at your leisure.
[_Conveys a note into his hand._

_Cam._ A ticket, as I live, Aurelian.

_Aur._ Steal off, and be thankful: if that be my Beatrix with Laura,
she's most confoundedly ugly. If ever we had come to love-work, and a
candle had been brought us, I had fallen back from that face, like