[He attempts to pass on.]
[He attempts to pass on.]
Phedro[intently regarding him]
You are a curious fellow.
Gwymplane
I think it is you who are curious, sir.
Phedro
Ah, that was spoken after the manner of your class.
Gwymplane
My class, of mountebanks, you mean?
Phedro
No, my meaning is gathering slowly. Afterall, rain does not pour from the clouds until there has been sufficient mist.
[Gwymplanelooks at him intently, then once more attempts departure.]
[Gwymplanelooks at him intently, then once more attempts departure.]
Phedro
One moment.
Gwymplane
I beg you, sir, to let me pass. I am a prey tonight to reveries that make of me a dull companion.
Phedro[experimentally]
A lady of the court was enraptured by your performance, a lady who for many years has been aware of nothing but herself.
Gwymplane[starting almost imperceptibly]
I am glad if my performance pleased.
Phedro
It did much more.
Gwymplane
In the measure of amusement I may have caused I am not interested.
Phedro
Nevertheless, it seemed to me that you were a little burned by the flame you cast out.
Gwymplane
Ah, I see that you enjoy pursuing other people's business; consequently you free me from the necessity of listening to you.
Phedro[assuming anger]
Come now, don't offend me. After all I am the steward of the Queen's court. It was I who obtained your licence to act in the palace grounds, and so apparently gratify a long-felt ambition of your lovely fellow artiste.
Gwymplane[softened]
Ah—Dea, yes. She has always dreamed of playing in the palace park. No, I do not wish to be rude to you, but I beg of you to cease your gossip. My task was harder tonight than usual. I am perhaps overtired.
[He puts a hand to his head.]
[He puts a hand to his head.]
Phedro
Come, are you not a man? Is not the admiration of——
Gwymplane
Do not talk to me of these things. Do not talk of these things, I beg of you. [with a suggestion of sob in his voice] I am not like other men.
[Unnoticed an equerry enters, and stands atPhedro'sside with a large, scented and sealed envelope.]
[Unnoticed an equerry enters, and stands atPhedro'sside with a large, scented and sealed envelope.]
Equerry
Your pardon, sirs.
Phedro
[Going swiftly over to the equerry, and in a low aside.]
[Going swiftly over to the equerry, and in a low aside.]
For whom is your letter?
Equerry[in a whisper]
For one Messire Gwymplane.
Phedro[attempts to take the letter]
I will see he gets it and reads it.
Equerry
Who are you?
[Phedropulls up his mask.]
[Phedropulls up his mask.]
O, Messire Phedro.
[He bows low and hands him the note.]
[He bows low and hands him the note.]
Phedro[in a grand voice]
You may leave. I will deliver your note. [then in a low voice for the equerry alone] Wait behind the hedge and I will give you an answer.
[Exit equerry.Gwymplanestarts to depart.Phedroputs his arm on his, detaining him, while he opens the letter and reads it. A smile of malicious joy crosses his countenance which he quickly cloaks with a look of alarm. He speaks aside:]
[Exit equerry.Gwymplanestarts to depart.Phedroputs his arm on his, detaining him, while he opens the letter and reads it. A smile of malicious joy crosses his countenance which he quickly cloaks with a look of alarm. He speaks aside:]
How strange this is! Strange as if a precious bird long waited for in the night were to suddenly fly down and peck at my very gun. However ...
[He returns to himself with a start, walks over to the hedge where the equerry is waiting for the reply.]
[He returns to himself with a start, walks over to the hedge where the equerry is waiting for the reply.]
Say to her Grace that she is understood, and shall be almost instantly obeyed. [He turns toGwymplane.]
Gwymplane
I beg of you, sir, permit me to depart.
Phedro
There is trouble abroad and it concerns you.
Gwymplane
Me?
Phedro
Still there is probably much time.
Gwymplane
Explain.
Phedro
What do you call the blind girl?
Gwymplane
Dea. It is not anything about Dea? There was not anything about Dea in that letter, was there?
Phedro
It was all about her.
Gwymplane
How?
Phedro
Listen. Instead of attending to this myself, as I have done in hundreds of similar cases, I am going to take you into my confidence.
Gwymplane
What is it? What is it?
Phedro
Your lovely fellow artiste is gone.
Gwymplane[crying out]
Gone? My Dea! That is impossible. She does not wish to go anywhere that I am not.
Phedro
Perhaps her wishes remained unconsulted. She may have been abducted.
Gwymplane[drawing back]
What are you saying? It is so monstrous I must laugh or scream if I go on listening to you. [shakesPhedroby the arm] Come out with it. Where has she gone? But she is in bed! Where else?
[He runs back to the cart, and is heard calling frantically. The voice ofUrsusanswers him.Phedrostands listening, an evil smile contorting his mouth.]
[He runs back to the cart, and is heard calling frantically. The voice ofUrsusanswers him.Phedrostands listening, an evil smile contorting his mouth.]
Gwymplane[off stage]
Dea!
[There is no answer.]
[There is no answer.]
Gwymplane
[Re-entering hurriedly. Goes up toPhedroin a threatening manner.]
[Re-entering hurriedly. Goes up toPhedroin a threatening manner.]
I do not understand. There is something moving around me that is foul and stealthy. Tell me what it is or I'll make you feel as if you were falling down an abyss of knives.
Phedro
Calm, my gentle talker. To consider alternatives, one must keep one's presence of mind.
Gwymplane
I know. I can imagine what these courts are like and I'll usher you into hell at once if you are trying to spatter any foul scheme upon what I love.
Phedro
Ah, Dea is yours?
Gwymplane
No, you squinting rodent. She is mine only as the light is mine, and she belongs to my soul as my prayers do.
Phedro
Be calm. You have misconstrued me andare wasting time hurling invectives at some unclean figure in your own fancy.
Gwymplane
Well, then, speak out quickly.
Phedro
The Prince has fallen desperately in love with her. He confided in me so much. The letter I received informed me that he had prevailed upon her in some manner to go with him and that I was to meet him in the palace at the stroke of the quarter to render him some service.
Gwymplane
I cannot believe it; let me see the letter.
Phedro
[Searching his pockets and vest for the letter.]
[Searching his pockets and vest for the letter.]
Gracious, I must have torn it up in my nervousness. Ah yes, there it is.
[He points to some pieces of torn paper lying at his feet in the darkness.]
[He points to some pieces of torn paper lying at his feet in the darkness.]
Gwymplane[knocking his fists to his forehead.]
You mean this letter came from him who is to marry the Duchess tomorrow? He who looks like the Athenian Victory. [glancing at his own distorted limbs] But Dea cannot see this. [and in a voice almost of triumph] And she cannot see him! He must have stolen her.
Phedro[acidly]
His eloquence would steal the pollen out of a flower.
Gwymplane
Ah Dea! But after all—he may havetoldher.
Phedro
What?
Gwymplane[with a strange sad gesture]
How I am.
Phedro
She has never known?
Gwymplane
Why should she? [half to himself] It was sweet that she should love what I am—not what I appear.
Phedro
Perhaps he has told her, and her hands have travelled over his face and found that it is very fair.
[Gwymplanebends his head between his arms.]
[Gwymplanebends his head between his arms.]
But maybe she has gone against her will.
Gwymplane
Yes, that is it. I must find out—O, God, take me to where I can find out.
Phedro
Wait for me here a moment and I will prepare for your entrance into the palace. It may be very difficult to effect an entrance.
[He goes out and a few seconds after there is a sound of a cuckoo calling, followed by the noise of a slammed door.Gwymplanewalks up and down in distraction.]
[He goes out and a few seconds after there is a sound of a cuckoo calling, followed by the noise of a slammed door.Gwymplanewalks up and down in distraction.]
Ursus[from the cart]
Gwymplane! Gwymplane! Is there anything the matter?
Gwymplane
I am nervous and restless. I have never been so restless.
Ursus
Well, walk far into the night, my son, until the iron clamping your brain with wakefulness melts, fades into that dew of restfulness falling upon all things before the dawn.
Phedro[returning abruptly]
Are you ready?
Gwymplane
I am dying of readiness.
[They go out.]
[They go out.]
CURTAIN
[In the bedroom of theDuchess—exquisite, fantastic, with walls panelled in odd peacock blue. Upon these walls are crystal appliqués of a bizarre design, looking like strange ear-rings and holding within them amber lights. In the centre of the room falls a crystal candelabra with five small slender scarlet candles. On stage right a slender bed made entirely of the body of a swan—a canopy over it of pale rose net is attached with three blue feathers to the ceiling. This canopy drops over the head and foot of the bed. On stage left is a dressing mirror and table draped in fresh white muslin and rare lace. Below this table is a door—another door is directly opposite and behind the bed which faces the audience. In direct centre is a tall oblong window draped with a daffodil yellow taffeta faintly striped in mauve. A little in front, beneath thiswindow, is a directoire sofa covered with pillows of exquisite brocade. The chairs and other appointments of furniture are cream-colored, bespattered with flowers and reminiscent of Venice. On the right, just off centre a marble faun with grotesque features on a black onyx pedestal. TheDuchesshas set around its throat many of her priceless necklaces.A maid is seen preparing for theDuchesswhen the curtain rises.Enter theDuchessafter a few seconds' interval.]
[In the bedroom of theDuchess—exquisite, fantastic, with walls panelled in odd peacock blue. Upon these walls are crystal appliqués of a bizarre design, looking like strange ear-rings and holding within them amber lights. In the centre of the room falls a crystal candelabra with five small slender scarlet candles. On stage right a slender bed made entirely of the body of a swan—a canopy over it of pale rose net is attached with three blue feathers to the ceiling. This canopy drops over the head and foot of the bed. On stage left is a dressing mirror and table draped in fresh white muslin and rare lace. Below this table is a door—another door is directly opposite and behind the bed which faces the audience. In direct centre is a tall oblong window draped with a daffodil yellow taffeta faintly striped in mauve. A little in front, beneath thiswindow, is a directoire sofa covered with pillows of exquisite brocade. The chairs and other appointments of furniture are cream-colored, bespattered with flowers and reminiscent of Venice. On the right, just off centre a marble faun with grotesque features on a black onyx pedestal. TheDuchesshas set around its throat many of her priceless necklaces.
A maid is seen preparing for theDuchesswhen the curtain rises.
Enter theDuchessafter a few seconds' interval.]
Duchess
How is it possible that he is not returned? How long has he been gone? Did you notice what o'clock it was when I sent him? Answer me, answer me something. Don't stand about bemused as if you had never heard of a clock, or Piccolo, or a letter since you were born.
Maid
He cannot have had your note beyond a few minutes, Madame, but I think——
[She bends in an attitude of listening. TheDuchessis before her in opening the door on right.]
[She bends in an attitude of listening. TheDuchessis before her in opening the door on right.]
[Piccolo, the same equerry seen before, enters bowing low.]
[Piccolo, the same equerry seen before, enters bowing low.]
Piccolo
Your Grace.
Duchess[with unconcealed impatience]
Did you find the clown?
Piccolo
Yes, your Grace.
[He is obviously disturbed.]
[He is obviously disturbed.]
Duchess
Could he read my letter? Did he appear to be reading it? [She walks swiftly up and down] Maybe he cannot read.
Piccolo
He did not receive the letter from me, your Grace.
Duchess
How do you mean?
Piccolo
I think it was he who was standing with Messire Phedro, who took it from me to give it to him.
Duchess
You tasselled ass, why did you let him have it?
Piccolo[trying to save himself]
Nay, your Grace, he gave it at once to the clown, for I know it was the clown standing with him by the spidery confusion of his limbs. Messire Phedro said I was to tell your Grace that you were understood and would be obeyed.
Duchess[half to herself]
Well, maybe there is some reason. [she turns to the equerry] Go about your business. Don't stand around as if you were expecting the lash or you will feel it.
[The equerry rapidly retires. TheDuchessturns to her maid.]
[The equerry rapidly retires. TheDuchessturns to her maid.]
Duchess
Ugh! Rid me of all this glittering discomfort.
[The maid helps her out of the stiff wonderful dress and into a lovely azure garment sprayed with silver flowers.]
[The maid helps her out of the stiff wonderful dress and into a lovely azure garment sprayed with silver flowers.]
Duchess
[Fixing the maid with a peremptory eye.]
[Fixing the maid with a peremptory eye.]
I will only consent to be disturbed by one person tonight. He will come alone or with Messire Phedro. He will be stooped, a little below the medium height, and will probably be in black. If the Prince command me I am already at rest. If the Queen command me I am ill. Do you understand that I will be at home to no one save this one visitor?
Maid
Your Grace is obeyed.
[TheDuchesswalks over to the window and throws it wide open. Moonlight falls strongly in the garden just outside and water splashes noisily from the plump hands of a dancing Cupid, poised airily upon a minute Doric column. TheDuchessturns, frowning impatiently as she watches the maid's motions about the room.]
[TheDuchesswalks over to the window and throws it wide open. Moonlight falls strongly in the garden just outside and water splashes noisily from the plump hands of a dancing Cupid, poised airily upon a minute Doric column. TheDuchessturns, frowning impatiently as she watches the maid's motions about the room.]
Duchess
Go, go. How can you take so long to straighten a pair of slippers.
[The maid retires precipitately. TheDuchessturns once more towards the window, glancing across the court.]
[The maid retires precipitately. TheDuchessturns once more towards the window, glancing across the court.]
There are shadows in Charles's room, wrangling shadows.
[She puts her finger to her lip, biting it in a meditative manner.]
[She puts her finger to her lip, biting it in a meditative manner.]
Ah, somebody is trying to break away. What a bore it would be——
[There is a sound of a key clicking in the latch; the door on stage left opens.Phedrocomes swiftly into the room. He checks an exclamation of theDuchess, speaking hurriedly.]
[There is a sound of a key clicking in the latch; the door on stage left opens.Phedrocomes swiftly into the room. He checks an exclamation of theDuchess, speaking hurriedly.]
Phedro
I know, I guessed. Listen, Gwymplane has not had your letter. This was the only possible way. I have told him his blind girl is in the palace, in order to draw him hither. Play to that, first.
[TheDuchesshastily slips on a mask.]
[TheDuchesshastily slips on a mask.]
Gwymplane[entering]
Where are we now?
Duchess[coming forward graciously]
I believe you seek—
Gwymplane[hastily]
The blind girl in my troupe. It appears she is in the palace.
Duchess
[Trying to conceal her joy at his arrival.]
[Trying to conceal her joy at his arrival.]
The palace is so amazingly large. Have you an idea in what part of the palace to look?
Gwymplane[bitterly]
Some slight idea.
Duchess
Then you cannot do better than to send Phedro to the exact spot.
Gwymplane
Very well. We both will——
[He makes a motion of departure.]
[He makes a motion of departure.]
Duchess
No, no. [detaining him with her white arm] Let him go and discover where she is and if he cannot bring her here, then he shall return and take you to her.
Gwymplane
But that will lose time, I must——
Duchess
Mistakes are so much more disastrous than delay. One can pass unnoticed where two will be remarked. Trust to my better knowledge of the court.
Gwymplane[reluctantly]
Very well, Madame. Only speed, Sir, speed, and return to me.
Phedro
I will, dear mummer.
[He exits.]
[He exits.]
Duchess
[Turning toGwymplanewith gracious triteness.]
[Turning toGwymplanewith gracious triteness.]
Ah, what an unexpected delight that I might tell you what pleasure your performance gave.
Gwymplane[standing stiffly attentive]
Then my work is lavishly rewarded, Madame.
Duchess
[In the tone of one who confers by asking a favor.]
[In the tone of one who confers by asking a favor.]
Do unmask. It is so very warm in these rooms.
Gwymplane
I consider but your comfort, Madame, in wearing my mask.
Duchess[smiling subtly]
Nay, you would be surprised at what considers my comfort and what does not. Your mask, for instance, does not.
[She sinks upon her chaise longue, intensely graceful and beautiful.Gwymplanelets his eyes rest upon her for a moment.]
[She sinks upon her chaise longue, intensely graceful and beautiful.Gwymplanelets his eyes rest upon her for a moment.]
Your mask, do remove it. I have always heard artists were most gallant to women. See, I remove mine.
Gwymplane
[Stifled with surprise and emotion.]
[Stifled with surprise and emotion.]
Madame ... Madame....
Duchess
Come! I command you to obey me. Pray take off your mask! You can have no idea how I hate mentioning a desire twice.
[Gwymplaneremoves his mask. TheDuchesslooks at him intently and sighs.]
[Gwymplaneremoves his mask. TheDuchesslooks at him intently and sighs.]
Duchess
It must be wonderful to be you.
[She motions him to a black cushion with golden tassels at the foot of her couch.]
[She motions him to a black cushion with golden tassels at the foot of her couch.]
Gwymplane
[Who has by this time mastered himself.]
[Who has by this time mastered himself.]
To be me, Madame? [bitterly] But of course your life is a revel of laughter; so why should not your thoughts be forever jesting through your words?
Duchess
I am not jesting.
Gwymplane[surprised]
Madame?
Duchess
It must be wonderful to be you and windthrough forests and across hills into new cities with your drummers beating attention for you, through lines of unknown faces, faces over whom you have a rare—a great power. For you can moisten them with tears—choke away their breath with laughter. And afterwards, when you have finished your performance and are walking on the outskirts of some alien city, tell me, do not certain ones steal out to you and tell you of the blasphemous fancies you have stirred awake in their souls?
Gwymplane
What are you saying, Madame, what are you not saying!
Duchess
[Leaning forward and taking one of his beautiful hands.]
[Leaning forward and taking one of his beautiful hands.]
O, Gwymplane, I am lonely. You can have no idea how lonely. Everything around me is so false to my desires, is so alien to what I feel myself to be.
Gwymplane
You are so beautiful, Madame. Your loneliness only makes you more so. It lendsthe quality of a goddess to what is already earthly majesty.
[He is about to press his strange lips to her hands, when suddenly he remembers and resists.]
[He is about to press his strange lips to her hands, when suddenly he remembers and resists.]
Duchess
Ah, you were going to kiss my hand. Why didn't you kiss it? [She stretches it out close to his mouth.] See—here—here it is, most soft and white.
[Gwymplanedraws away, passing his hand across his brow. TheDuchessleans toward him, almost over him.]
[Gwymplanedraws away, passing his hand across his brow. TheDuchessleans toward him, almost over him.]
I am very lonely, Gwymplane. Give me a few moments of forgetfulness. O, tell me about your life—tell me about what has happened to you.
[She lays her hand upon his shoulder.Gwymplanetakes it, kisses it, and looks up at her with flaming eyes and chalk-pale face.]
[She lays her hand upon his shoulder.Gwymplanetakes it, kisses it, and looks up at her with flaming eyes and chalk-pale face.]
Ah, that is nice! The touch of your lips chills, burns me with forgetfulness. The touch of your lips is like a tide hushing, sucking my wakefulness down into depths of terrible oblivion. O, listen, you are grotesque—yourlimbs are like the coils of nightmare. I love you because you are so grotesque—because upon your face is stamped the contorted beauty of your mind—your mind that is surely as amazing as your face. O, Gwymplane, tell me of what you have thought, tell me of what you are thinking.
Gwymplane
[Who is led into rapture by her words, kneels and suddenly kisses her feet.]
[Who is led into rapture by her words, kneels and suddenly kisses her feet.]
I am kissing your little white feet. It is like brushing my face amongst sprays of silken flowers.
Duchess
Ah, do not talk beautifully to me, Gwymplane.
Gwymplane
But you are beauty! What other language would you understand?
Duchess
Do not talk to me beautifully, Gwymplane. Talk to me with the savage pulsating words of your clown language. Talk to me as if you held a whip in your hand. [She catchesat his hand] What marvellous hands you have! Deceitful hands—for they look unlike the things they do—the things they must do.
Gwymplane
[Sitting upon her couch and bending over her lips.]
[Sitting upon her couch and bending over her lips.]
I think you are something I have stolen out of a temple—a wonderful wingèd crownèd figure that I have stolen out of a temple and profaned. I feel as if we were in a black barge upon a scarlet sea, as if in a moment it would dip over the horizon line and we should be lost forever together. O, I feel as if all the light in the world were flowing from behind the chalice of your pale face. I love you, I love you.
Duchess
[Drawing away from his straining arms and lips.]
[Drawing away from his straining arms and lips.]
You love me, you love me! But you do not talk to me as if you were a clown. You do not speak to me with those curiously pungent words that are flung between men and women in the thickets near the booths. [almost pettishly] You do not talk at all like a clown, Gwymplane.
Gwymplane
[His eyes slowly travelling over her body.]
[His eyes slowly travelling over her body.]
I do not understand—I cannot understand why you permit my hands to touch you. Does not the flame from my hands burn you as they tremble and hover nearer, nearer to your scorching loveliness? But I think you are ivory, ivory dyed in hues of dawn and sunset.
Duchess
Ah, I wish you would not speak to me beautifully. I tell you beauty is not so dear to me as ugliness. O, Gwymplane [with a rather coarse gesture nudging his arm], O, Gwymplane, tell me of love as I want to hear of it, and I will love you better than all the rest!
Gwymplane
The rest? [he presses his hand to his temple] There are no rest. There was one—O God! I am lost! Nothing matters now [in a shrill voice]. I—I have found out what I can be!
Duchess
[Stretching herself and smiling upon him.]
[Stretching herself and smiling upon him.]
How happy I am with you, my distortedlover! Only I wish you had not taken the white paint from your face. I wish your lips were fantastically scarlet as when you danced. I wish you were in your clown's dress and that the circus dwarfs could be here, playing their evil music while we talked. Kiss me.
Gwymplane
[Drawing away and gazing at her in rapture.]
[Drawing away and gazing at her in rapture.]
But my heart is here, underneath your slender foot. O, my heart has no will of its own but is only a reckless fever leaping, shivering after crumbs of your favour.
[He is about to kiss her, when suddenly theDuchessturns aside—an odd numbness creeping over her features.]
[He is about to kiss her, when suddenly theDuchessturns aside—an odd numbness creeping over her features.]
Duchess
Something is wrong—terribly wrong. You do not speak to me like a clown. You are not like a clown. Who are you—what are you really?
Gwymplane
My love [he turns to kiss her shoulder], Iam your lover. What does any other reality matter tonight?
[There is a knock at the door on stage left.Gwymplanestarts to his feet, flinging upon theDuchessa look of terror.]
[There is a knock at the door on stage left.Gwymplanestarts to his feet, flinging upon theDuchessa look of terror.]
Duchess[biting her lip—calls out]
Who dares to disturb my rest?
Voice of Prince Charles
It is I.
Duchess
Well?
Charles
Phedro told me he thought he heard you cry out a moment ago?
Duchess
Ah, so it is he—[her face has grown dark and furious] or does he push in some accident to favour me.
Gwymplane[in a low voice]
Treachery—if I had not been so mad all evening I could have smelt it on every gust of air.
Josephine
Hush, don't ruin us.
Charles
Did I hear you speak?
Josephine
No, Charles. I was merely muttering a few imprecations at you for disturbing my rest.
Charles
You want for nothing?
Josephine
For nothing save to be left in peace.
[The footsteps of thePrinceare heard receding. Suddenly through the open French window stepsDea.Gwymplaneshudders back with horror. TheDuchesslooks in amazement and anger at the lovely apparition.Gwymplanewith a gesture of supplication implores her to be silent. TheDuchessreturns his look contemptuously.]
[The footsteps of thePrinceare heard receding. Suddenly through the open French window stepsDea.Gwymplaneshudders back with horror. TheDuchesslooks in amazement and anger at the lovely apparition.Gwymplanewith a gesture of supplication implores her to be silent. TheDuchessreturns his look contemptuously.]
Dea[advancing into the room]
Where am I? Someone took me out of one room and pushed me in here.
Duchess
I am the Duchess of Beaumont. You are in my room.
Dea
O, I am glad, Madame. I have been terribly frightened all evening.
[Gwymplanestands frozenly against the wall.]
[Gwymplanestands frozenly against the wall.]
Duchess
Really? By what?
Dea
I was looking for the Queen. I was being guided to the Queen's apartment when suddenly I found myself in a room with some gentleman.
Duchess
Ah, what gentleman, I wonder?
Dea
I do not know. I am blind and he would not answer me. But I felt his hand to see if it was the Court Steward's. It was not the Court Steward's hand, for this man wore a ring with a gigantic stone.
Duchess
[Always unquestionably upon the right scent of anything damaging to her vanity.]
[Always unquestionably upon the right scent of anything damaging to her vanity.]
An oblong stone?
Dea[pausing]
Yes, your Grace, I am sure it was an oblong stone.
Duchess[her face becoming very malicious]
Well, what did he wish of you?
Dea
He said many things to me. He told me how I appeared to him in all things beautiful, and that he wished to steal me away forever from the troop and for himself because he loved me.
Duchess[starts]
[Gwymplanewrings his hands in impotent fury.]
[Gwymplanewrings his hands in impotent fury.]
Strange those bundles we possess, that are of no value to us whatever, should, nevertheless, when they fall into the river, become precious as gold. [she snaps her fingers] So much for faithfulness! And you answered this gentleman?
Dea[looking around abstracted]
Your Grace, is there anyone else in this room?
Duchess
I don't think so.