Benedick had already announced to the Friar that he intended to marry the lady Beatrice, and Leonato had given his willing approval. Benedick therefore approached the group of still masked figures to find his own lady, and called Beatrice by name.
“What is your will?” she inquired, taking off her mask.
“Do not you love me?” asked Benedick.
“Why, no—no more than reason,” said Beatrice provokingly.
“Why, then, your uncle and the Prince and Claudio have been deceived; they swore you did.”
Beatrice laughed.
“Do not you love me?” she asked in her turn.
“Troth, no; no more than reason,” said Benedick loftily.
“Why, then, my cousin, Margaret and Ursula are much deceived, for they swore you did.”
“They swore you were almost ill for me,” declared Benedick.