+Cam.+ Although I cannot comprehend the steps Of this your strange adventure, yet, dear cousin, Your case, as I conceive, is not so desperate.
+Por.+ We easily persuade ourselves to hope The things we wish. But, cousin, my condition Will not admit self-flattery, and what Can you propose to temper my despair?
+Cam.+ Don't you remember, how this afternoon Antonio's man, finding me in your quarter Without a veil, you having put on mine, That he applied himself to me, and I, By your command, assum'd your person?
+Cam.+ The master since has, by the man's mistake, Been happily led into the same error: I have not disabus'd him yet, in hopes It might produce advantage to us both.
+Por.+ O, he has spoken with my brother since, Who (sure) has undeceiv'd him long e'er this. No, without doubt, they, having found themselves Affronted both, have both conspir'd my death.
+Cam.+ How, cousin, can that be, if Don Antonio Has engag'd himself in your protection, And is Octavio's friend?
+Por.+ Cousin, if you impartially reflect On the affront which I have done Antonio, You will not wonder much if he recede From the scarce-trodden path of rigid honour To meet with his revenge, and to that end Proceeds thus cautelously, still pretending He knows not me, that he may disavow, Both to Octavio and to all the world, Th' infamy of betraying a poor maid To loss of life and honour.
+Cam.+ Misfortunes make you rave: this vile suspicion Is inconsistent with Antonio's fame. You may as well believe that nature will Reverse the order of the whole creation, As that Antonio, a man whose soul Is of so strong and perfect a complexion, Should e'er descend to such a slavish sin. [_Spoken with heat._ And if we had the leisure, I could give you Such reasons to convince you of your error, That you would both acknowledge and repent it.
+Por.+ Alas! I had forgot her near concernments For Antonio. [_Aside._] Pardon and pity me, Camilla; My mind is so distracted by afflictions, I know not what I should, or should not, fear.
+Cam.+ I pity thee with all my heart. But, cousin, If Antonio, not knowing you nor your Relations, should chance to find your brother, And tell him unawares all that has pass'd, And that h' has brought the distress'd party hither, He'll presently imagine it is you, And then, I fear, 'twill be impossible (Though he should interpose with all his power) To stop the torrent, or divert his rage From breaking in, and executing on us That horrid parricide which, though too late, It may be he himself would execrate.