Dor. Then, it seems, you are so impudent to think it was an assignation? This, I warrant, was your lewd interpretation of my innocent meaning.
Pala. Venus forbid, that I should harbour so unreasonable a thought of a fair young lady, that you should lead me hither into temptation. I confess, I might think indeed it was a kind of honourable challenge, to meet privately without seconds, and decide the difference betwixt the two sexes; but heaven forgive me, if I thought amiss.
Dor. You thought too, I'll lay my life on't, that you might as well make love to me, as my husband does to your mistress.
Pala. I was so unreasonable to think so too.
Dor. And then you wickedly inferred, that there was some justice in the revenge of it; or, at least, but little injury for a man to endeavour to enjoy that, which he accounts a blessing, and which is not valued as it ought by the dull possessor. Confess your wickedness,—did you not think so?
Pala. I confess I was thinking so, as fast as I could; but you think so much before me, that you will let me think nothing.
Dor. 'Tis the very thing that I designed; I have forestalled all your arguments, and left you without a word more, to plead for mercy. If you have any thing farther to offer, ere sentence pass—Poor animal, I brought you hither only for my diversion.
Pala. That you may have, if you'll make use of me the right way; but I tell thee, woman, I am now past talking.
Dor. But it may be, I came hither to hear what fine things you could say for yourself.
Pala. You would be very angry, to my knowledge, if I should lose so much time to say many of them.—By this hand you would!