Tales of Shakespeare by Mary Lamb;Charles Lamb
page 90 of 320 (28%)
page 90 of 320 (28%)
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Valentine gave him a general idea of the modes of courtship then
practiced by young men, when they wished to win a fair lady's love, such as presents, frequent visits, and the like. The duke replied to this, that the lady did refuse a present which he sent her, and that she was so strictly kept by her father, that no man might have access to her by day. 'Why then,' said Valentine, 'you must visit her by night.' 'But at night,' said the artful duke, who was now coming to the drift of his discourse, 'her doors are fast locked.' Valentine then unfortunately proposed that the duke should go into the lady's chamber at night by means of a ladder of ropes, saying he would procure him one tatting for that purpose; and in conclusion advised him to conceal this ladder of ropes under such a cloak as that which he now wore. 'Lend me your cloak,' said the duke, who had feigned this long story on purpose to have a presence to get off the cloak; so upon saying these words, he caught hold of Valentine's cloak, and throwing it back, he discovered not only the ladder of ropes, but also a letter of Silvia's, which he instantly opened and read; and this letter contained a full account of their intended elopement. The duke, after upbraiding Valentine for his ingratitude in thus returning the favour he had shown him, by endeavouring to steal away his daughter, banished him from the court and city of Milan for ever; and Valentine was forced to depart that night, without even seeing Silvia. While Proteus at Milan was thus injuring Valentine, Julia at Verona |
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