Ela. And so do I. I wonder Scaramouch stays so, and what Success he has.
Bell. You have no cause to doubt, you can so easily acquit your self; but I, what shall I do? who can no more imagine who shou’d write those Boremes, than who I shall love next, if I break off with Charmante.
Flor. If he be a Man of Honour, Cousin, when a Maid protests her Innocence—
Bell. Ay, but he’s a Man of Wit too, Cousin, and knows when Women protest most, they likely lye most.
Ela. Most commonly, for Truth needs no asseveration.
Bell. That’s according to the Disposition of your Lover, for some believe you most, when you most abuse and cheat ‘em; some are so obstinate, they wou’d damn a Woman with Protesting, before she can convince ‘em.
Ela. Such a one is not worth convincing, I wou’d not make the World wise at the expence of a Virtue.
Bell. Nay, he shall e’en remain as Heaven made him for me, since there are Men enough for all uses.
Enter Charmante and Cinthio, dress’d in their Gothic Habits,
Scaramouch, Harlequin and Musick. Charmante and Cinthio kneel.
Cin. Can you forgive us?