[Goes out.]
Wal. You are better?
Lydia. Much!—much!
Wal. Know you him who durst
Attempt this violence in open day?
It seemed as he would force thee to his coach,
I saw attending.
Lydia. Take this letter, sir,
And send the answer—I must needs be gone.
Wal. [Throwing the letter away.] I read no letter!
Tell me, what of him
I saw offend thee?
Lydia. He hath often met me,
And by design I think, upon the street,
And tried to win mine ear, which ne’er he got
Save only by enforcement. Presents—gifts—
Of jewels and of gold to wild amount,
To win an audience, hath he proffered me;
Until, methought, my silence—for my lips
Disdained reply where question was a wrong—
Had wearied him. Oh, sir, whate’er of life
Remains to me I had foregone, ere proved
The horror of this hour!—and you it is
That have protected me?
Wal. Oh, speak not on’t!
Lydia. You that have saved me from mine enemy—
Wal. I pray you to forget it.