JULIA  Why not on Proteus, as of all the rest?

LUCETTA       Then thus: of many good, I think him best.

JULIA Your reason?

LUCETTA I have no other but a woman’s reason:

I think him so because I think him so.

JULIA And wouldst thou have me cast my love on him?

LUCETTA        Ay, if you thought your love not cast away. (1.2.20-26)

As Julia quite rightly observes, given that Lucetta’s been forthright in giving her opinions of other suitors, she’s got no reason not to say what she thinks of Proteus: why not on Proteus, as of all the rest? And of course Lucetta capitulates; she knows that this is really the only opinion that Julia’s interested in. Then thus: of many good, I think him best. He’s the top! The others are OK, but he’s great! Proteus wins! Julia wants more (of course): your reason? why, why? Explanation, confirmation, and also the pleasure of hearing Proteus spoken of, and of being able to speak of him in turn. But Lucetta’s not going to be too indulgent (also, it’s an easy joke): I have no other but a woman’s reason: I think him so because I think him so. That’s all, it’s just my opinion, I don’t have to give a reason! Because! Because! (Although there’s scope for a bit of comedy, suggesting that this woman’s reason is because he’s HOT *Lucetta fans self*.) (It is unlikely that Proteus is HOT.) Now Julia wants reassurance, and encouragement; this is a bit more real. And wouldst thou have me cast my love on him? Should I make it known that he’s my preference? Should I go ahead and properly fall in love? Ay, yes—if you thought your love not cast away. The exchange has to be light, but the possibility of love being wasted on someone unworthy, not properly valued, treated thoughtlessly or unkindly, is at least raised…