Chapter 20

R.See, madam: ’tis he that comes.(Aside.) Her love is but a fancy; else would she neverProvoke discussion on him, and seek to praise him.—D.Frederick: returned so soon!—miraculous.Such expedition. Thou canst scarce have rested.’Tis two hours ere thy time.FREDERICK.1260’Twas my good fortuneTo meet no hindrance.D.But thy health, good servant;Thy sickness?F.Madam, let my quick despatchBury my late reluctance. I confessI was unreasonable. Indeed, the journeyHath quite restored my spirits.D.Yes, so it seems.I hoped that it might be so. Hast thou my answer?F.’Tis here. (Handing letter.)D.Thou must have roused the Duke from sleep.F.’Twas such an hour as one might look to findA duke a-bed.D.And he was not? Pray, tell usExactly how he was employed.1270F.I chancedTo find him banqueting in merry company;Such as make war on night, and march their forceAcross the frontier, for a long campaignIn the enemy’s country.D.(to R.).Banqueting, you hear.And at that hour.F.All night they kept it up.D.(to R.). Hark you.R.I hear and wonder.(To F.) Say you, sir,The Duke was merry, that he held a feastWithin the palace?F.(aside).Heavens!—how I have blundered!Nay, sir, I said not so: I said expressly,1280Or should have said, he was another’s guest.R.And yet I have never known him....F.Indeed ’tis true:He said to me himself those very words.I have never known myself do this, he said.TRISTRAM(aside).Now, they are at their fooling again, and not a singleword of any sense. ’Tis enough to drive a man madwith bewilderment.R.(to D.). To plunge into distraction so unwontedArgues despair. Grave men use dissipationTo drown their misery.D.No doubt: and yetAnswer not for him.F.True it is, my lady,1290He did confess as much to me a stranger.Despair;—that was his word. He seemed, withal,Wondrously put out at all I chanced to say:And very sick he looked.T.(aside). Madness and lies! I’ll hear no more ofthis. (Goes aside to Flora.)D.It seems that dissipationAgrees not with grave men.R.Heaven smite me deadIf I protest not ’gainst the wrong you do him.D.So hot!—Well, thrash this out between yourselves:’Tis nought to me. And, Frederick, when you have dressed,1300Rested, and breakfasted, attend me here.I thank you for your service.F.You are welcome, madam,To all such offices. (Going.)D.Please leave your servant.I have some papers ready indoors to send you.F.I thank you.[Exit.R.I crave permission: I would followTo ask of my particular affairs;How they are spoke of whence he comes.D.(bowing permission).I hopeYou will hear good.R.(aside, going). My Frederick needs fresh prompting.He is so preoccupied in his own love,That I am forgotten.[Exit.Diana opens the letter.T.(to Fl., shewing and shaking purse). Look here! Listen here!FLORA.1310What have you there?T.Money,—ducats: all ducats.D.(reading aloud).I could not have chosen, among all my friends, one more discreet and serviceable than is Ricardo. There is nothing so difficult that he has not experience for it ... nothing so private but that he may not well be trusted with it.... He has been accustomed to manage all my affairs....Fl.(to T.). But where did you get them, Tristram?T.Ah! She gave them me.1320Fl.The Countess! What for?T.Secrets: and there’s more where they came from.Fl.More secrets, or more ducats?T.Both,—plenty of both.Fl.How nice for us.T.Us! Who d’you mean by us?Fl.I mean when we are married, Tristram.T.Married, say you, now? I thought you had not promised. When I had no money you hung off. Now you see me as rich as Plutarch, you’re quick enough. But it’s a hoax. I filled this bag with curtain-rings to deceive you: and where are you now?Fl.O, Tristram, let me see.D.Tristram!T.Your ladyship!D.I’ll speak with you.Flora, depart.[Exit Flora.Now, Tristram, tell me shortly,What you have learned.T.I have found a letter, madam,Writ by the lady. (fumbles for it.)1341D.Indeed!—that is good news.Nothing could please me better. In so short timeThis is done excellently. Who is she, Tristram?T.I think she is chained up somewhere in the court.D.Chained in the court! What mean you?T.Here ’tis, my lady:Read for yourself. (giving.)D.Why this is poetry;And in St. Nicholas’hand.T.I hope and trustYour ladyship will not take his part.D.His part!What does this mean?T.I picked that up in the garden:St. Nicholas found me with it, and said ’twas his.1350I stood by it firmly ’twas the lady’s piece,And written to my master. He called me a thief;And if your ladyship....D.Stay, Tristram, stay.This paper is nothing: take it, and right yourself,As best you are able, with St. Nicholas....Tell me now all that happened on the journeyI sent you last night with your master.T.Your ladyshipSent him?D.Of course. I sent you both to Milan.When did you arrive there?T.At Milan! Is’t possibleYour ladyship should think I have been to Milan?D.Not been to Milan?T.Me!1360D.You accompaniedYour master?T.I did.D.(holding R.'s letter). And he has been to Milan.T.It’s true, your ladyship, I understandNothing my master says, and very littleOf what you say to him: and if you sayHe 'as been to Milan, I’ll not meddle with it.But if you say that I have been to Milan,I am very much deceived. I do not likeThat any man should think such things of me;That I can go and not go, and be hereAnd there at once.1370D.Stay, Tristram; tell me plainlyAll that your master has done since yesterday.T.Well, first I found him with another letter,All sighs and groans: then suddenly he bade meOrder the horses, and prepare myselfTo drive with him to the devil at six o’clock.At six we started on the Milan roadAnd came by dark to Asti; there we changedBoth horses and postilions and drove on:And after three hours’jolting, when I guessedWe should be nearing Milan, the coach stopped1381In a ferny glade, and we got out; and thenI saw we were at Belflor, and the treesWere in your ladyship’s park.D.Ah! Then what did he?T.Came in and locked the gate of the park behind us,And sent me on to his room, and bade me waitTill he should come.D.What hour was that?T.Eleven.D.(aside). The hour, no doubt, when he should meet his mistress—When came he in?T.By midnight.D.He locked the gate....The lady is in the palace.T.So he pretends.D.He let slip nothing on the journey?1390T.He litA pocket-lamp, and sat, mute as a fish,Counting the minutes on his watch; and then,As if it served as well to tell the time,He fetched the jewelled portrait from his breast,And gazed on that.D.A portrait?T.Certainly.D.Carries he a portrait, say you?T.Certainly.D.You know not who ’tis of?T.Not I, my lady.D.Could you get sight of it?T.Impossible.At night ’tis neath his pillow, and all the day1400He keeps it in a little special pocketIn his doublet here, just under his heart; or ifHe pulls it out, he holds it by his chinWhere none may see.D.You should have told me of this,This portrait: have you no guess who ’tis of?T.I guess ’tis part of the pretence, my lady;For when the fit is on he’ll talk to it:And once I saw him kiss it.D.Thank you, Tristram.Take now these papers to your master at onceAnd tell him....T.(going). I will, your ladyship.D.Stay yet....1410This letter which he brought me, did you seeWhence he procured it?T.I suppose, my lady,He wrote it himself, no doubt of it. Where elseShould he have got it?D.Tell Ricardo, Tristram,I wish to see him here, at once. Your masterMay wait on me at noon.T.About that gentleman....D.Begone, and do my bidding.[Exit T.They have met in spite of me—they have met: and heHath dared to disobey me and lie to my face.Who can it be? who is she? she is in my house....Ah! what a prey I have netted! One of my maids....1421One of my maids, it must be.... O detestation!And he hath her portrait. Ah, he loves, he loves.The love that taught me to dissemble and scheme,Hath taught him to meet plot with counterplot.—Frederick, dear Frederick! ’tis unworthy of you:This is too hard upon me.... I loved you well.Shame, shame, shame, shame! Indeed he cannot knowHow much I love him ... he cannot. Am I too oldAt twenty-seven? out-matched! I had taken too1430This letter for the Duke’s. Ho! the insolenceTo assume his fulsomeness! to forge in termsOf a humble obedient lover, so he mightKeep tryst with.... O shame, shame! and then to write itHe must have broke my seal, and read my letter—He has gone too far: here is a slip in honourWhich I may work on. I’ll not give him up,Not yet. He can be shamed: and first I’ll proveThe forgery, and then wring confession from him.’Tis well I have at hand so trusty a witness.Re-enter Ricardo.R.Your ladyship sent for me.1440D.I did, Ricardo.In answer to the favour, which most gladlyI do you at the Duke’s request, I begA service for myself.R.My honoured masterCommands me, lady; and you command my master.I am twice yours.D.Again! well—Look at this!Is this your famous master’s writing? Look.You know it? (giving letter.)R.As my own.D.Is that then his?R.It is,And writ his best.D.Why, ’tis a forgery,And you are deceived.R.Nay, ’tis no forgery.1450D.You are certain?R.Certain.D.You may read it through,Though ’tis about yourself. Examine it well,If ’tis authentic. You will only findProdigal praise to make you blush.R.(aside).No wonderIf I do blush, faced with my own device.(aloud, giving back.) I’ll strive to make this good.D.And ’tis his hand?R.It is.D.I am glad, because it came as answerTo a letter I wrote but yesterday, and gaveTo Frederick, ordering him to ride to MilanAnd give it the Duke. This morning, as you saw,He hands me this. His servant who was with him1461Tells me that he has not been to Milan at all,But slept in the court.R.(aside).Pest on that sneaking dolt!D.What say you now?R.May he not have used some other messenger?I had my doubts when he brought in his tale,That history of the banquet.—Did I not sayThe Duke was wronged?D.True, true; and tho’I am gladHe is quit of forgery, he is not of lying.What can I think?1469R.I thought your ladyshipTrusted in Frederick wholly. When this morningYou praised him to me....D.Praised him! stay, I beg:I praised him not, save to draw words from you.And you described him well; did not you sayHe was contriving?R.Then you trust him not?D.See how he acts. Ah, if I told you all!And yet to tell argues much confidence....(Ricardo is silent and Diana continues.)I have strange sympathies, affinities,Magnetic or electric it may be,Which rule my trust and liking: if all feel them1480I cannot say: in me they are intimationsOf supernatural efficacy: I findMy first impressions never prompt me wrong.Some men I see only to avoid,—You knowA strong example of that;—on the other handThere are some faces,—eyes, I think,—that draw meAt first encounter; so that I often fancyThere must be a subtle emanation thrownBy the spirit, as light from fire. Now yesterdayWhen I saw you, I felt the secret shock1490Which told me I was in presence of a soulIn harmony with mine, one I could trust,If I should need a friend: and when I wroteTo the Duke, it was not that my judgment wantedThe assurance which his letter gives. I knewHow it would be.—I hardly think, Ricardo,That, had I asked for his own character,Your master could have writ more praise.R.I wishTo please my lady, as I have pleased the Duke.I have kept his secrets.D.I shall tell you mine.1500Frederick hath had for some time an intrigueWith a lady—you understand,—a libertyI never have allowed, nor will: besidesIn him ’tis most intolerable....Now yesterday it chanced I came to learnHe had made appointment with this certain personTo meet by night: I know not who she is;But, wishing to prevent it, I contrivedTo send him on my message to the Duke;With what result you have heard.R.The Duke, my lady,Is the only gainer here.1510D.And are not you?R.Yes, I too, if I am raised in your esteem.D.Then you must help me.R.I can truly vouchYour ladyship has read my heart and soul.I feel heaven-drawn to serve you to the death.What is’t to do?D.Only seek out this matterFor me; discover who this lady is.For private reasons I feel justifiedIn using any means to learn the truth1519Dishonestly held from me by my servant:And so I have questioned Tristram. He assures meThey met last night: but he is profoundly dull,And not in Frederick’s confidence.R.Has he no notionHow Frederick got this letter?D.No.R.Nor a hintOf this mysterious lady?D.He cannot help you.R.Your ladyship must have a near suspicion.D.Only a suspicion that’s unfit to tell.Enter Laura.Here is my sister, whom I wish to question.Come to me soon again; I have meanwhileMyself a stroke to play. When we next meet1530I may know more.R.Your most devoted servant.[Exit.D.Good morning, dearest Laura.LAURA.Good morning, sister.D.Did you sleep well last night?L.I slept till nine.D.What hour went you to bed?L.Not very late....D.Nay: but what hour?—before eleven?L.(aside).What’s this?Are we discovered?D.Was it before eleven?L.I cannot tell. Why do you ask, Diana?What is it has happened?D.Answer me, I beg,And you shall know. About that hour of the nightDid you hear any noise?L.(aside). Ricardo’s singing.—What kind of noise?1540D.Why, any noise, betweenEleven and midnight.L.Did you hear a noise?D.No: but did you?L.O no: I heard no noise.What made you think there was a noise?D.I have reason.L.Was there a robbery?D.Nay: no robbery.And yet there was, Laura, a robbery:Of honour,—our honour,—of woman’s honour.Laura, thou knowest the sacredness of love:Love is the one thing in the world which womenMust guard from profanation; for by love1550They rule; and if they trifle with their power,They come to be men’s chattels, not their queens.Thou’lt soon be married, Laura, and I can talkFreely of these things: I have taught thee the religiousAnd philosophic doctrines; but to-dayWe deal with facts. And first, then, I rejoiceThy husband will be a man whom thou wilt rule,One who adores thee reverently, who holdsOf love, as I, and with some special fancy:—He is quite a poet.—Why, now, shouldst thou smile?1560Thou hast no taste in poetry, but supposeSt. Nicholas had lacked that inner sight,Had fancied thee merely because he thought theeA fine girl, and had used the common tricksOf odious trifling, till he dared to kiss thee,And meet thee alone, and put his arm about thee....L.Good heavens, Diana! I hope you do not thinkHe has ever done so.D.No: of course he wouldn’t.But ’tis a fact men do such things; and thatNot with one woman only. And ’tis true1570That there are ladies who admit the addressesOf more than one man.L.O Diana!D.Indeed,’Tis true: and women are to blame if menMake them their sport. Thou’rt shocked: but ’tis a factThat this detested pestilence invadesEarth’s every nook: my palace doors and bolts,My strong precautions, my well-known regardFor strictness, my injunctions, my example,Cannot expel it.L.Pray, Diana, tell meWhat it is: you frighten me. Was any caught1580Breaking the rules, or is it but suspicion?D.Of the two criminals, the man I know,The woman I know not; but if I knew her,I am in the mood to kill her.L.(aside).Thank heaven, she does not guess me—Who is the man?D.Better not ask; it matters not to thee:But thou canst help me find this erring Eve.If thou’st observed in any of the maidsConscious behaviour, scrupulous regardTo petty adornment, or, what most betrays,An inconsiderate blushing....1590L.(aside).The maids, she says!One of the maids! Good heavens!—D.Marcela:Could it be she? She is handsome.L.’Tis not she:She tells me all her secrets.D.Dorothy?L.I do not think it.D.Katharine?L.No, not Kate.D.I’ll find the traitress out.L.(aside).To save myselfI had best fall in with this.D.What do you say?L.I have not a suspicion,—but....D.But what?What?L.If there’s any one who might be chargedWith levity....D.Who is it?L.You’ll not be angry,Diana?D.Nay: but tell me.1600L.I should say,If there’s one frivolous, and more than othersUnapt to profit by the rules....D.’Tis who?L.I think ’tis your own maid.D.Flora?—pooh! pooh!Flora’s almost a hoyden.L.(aside).How stupid of me!D.They meet at night, Laura: unless he daresTo pass my chamber-door, ’tis in the garden.Your window looks that way. I thought last nightYou might have heard them.L.Why, it’s very unlikelyI should hear through the window.

R.See, madam: ’tis he that comes.(Aside.) Her love is but a fancy; else would she neverProvoke discussion on him, and seek to praise him.—

R.See, madam: ’tis he that comes.

(Aside.) Her love is but a fancy; else would she never

Provoke discussion on him, and seek to praise him.—

D.Frederick: returned so soon!—miraculous.Such expedition. Thou canst scarce have rested.’Tis two hours ere thy time.

D.Frederick: returned so soon!—miraculous.

Such expedition. Thou canst scarce have rested.

’Tis two hours ere thy time.

FREDERICK.

1260’Twas my good fortuneTo meet no hindrance.

’Twas my good fortune

To meet no hindrance.

D.But thy health, good servant;Thy sickness?

D.But thy health, good servant;

Thy sickness?

F.Madam, let my quick despatchBury my late reluctance. I confessI was unreasonable. Indeed, the journeyHath quite restored my spirits.

F.Madam, let my quick despatch

Bury my late reluctance. I confess

I was unreasonable. Indeed, the journey

Hath quite restored my spirits.

D.Yes, so it seems.I hoped that it might be so. Hast thou my answer?

D.Yes, so it seems.

I hoped that it might be so. Hast thou my answer?

F.’Tis here. (Handing letter.)

D.Thou must have roused the Duke from sleep.

F.’Twas such an hour as one might look to findA duke a-bed.

F.’Twas such an hour as one might look to find

A duke a-bed.

D.And he was not? Pray, tell usExactly how he was employed.

D.And he was not? Pray, tell us

Exactly how he was employed.

1270F.I chancedTo find him banqueting in merry company;Such as make war on night, and march their forceAcross the frontier, for a long campaignIn the enemy’s country.

F.I chanced

To find him banqueting in merry company;

Such as make war on night, and march their force

Across the frontier, for a long campaign

In the enemy’s country.

D.(to R.).Banqueting, you hear.And at that hour.

D.(to R.).Banqueting, you hear.

And at that hour.

F.All night they kept it up.

D.(to R.). Hark you.

R.I hear and wonder.(To F.) Say you, sir,The Duke was merry, that he held a feastWithin the palace?

R.I hear and wonder.(To F.) Say you, sir,

The Duke was merry, that he held a feast

Within the palace?

F.(aside).Heavens!—how I have blundered!Nay, sir, I said not so: I said expressly,1280Or should have said, he was another’s guest.

F.(aside).Heavens!—how I have blundered!

Nay, sir, I said not so: I said expressly,

Or should have said, he was another’s guest.

R.And yet I have never known him....

F.Indeed ’tis true:He said to me himself those very words.I have never known myself do this, he said.

F.Indeed ’tis true:

He said to me himself those very words.

I have never known myself do this, he said.

TRISTRAM(aside).

Now, they are at their fooling again, and not a singleword of any sense. ’Tis enough to drive a man madwith bewilderment.

Now, they are at their fooling again, and not a single

word of any sense. ’Tis enough to drive a man mad

with bewilderment.

R.(to D.). To plunge into distraction so unwontedArgues despair. Grave men use dissipationTo drown their misery.

R.(to D.). To plunge into distraction so unwonted

Argues despair. Grave men use dissipation

To drown their misery.

D.No doubt: and yetAnswer not for him.

D.No doubt: and yet

Answer not for him.

F.True it is, my lady,1290He did confess as much to me a stranger.Despair;—that was his word. He seemed, withal,Wondrously put out at all I chanced to say:And very sick he looked.

F.True it is, my lady,

He did confess as much to me a stranger.

Despair;—that was his word. He seemed, withal,

Wondrously put out at all I chanced to say:

And very sick he looked.

T.(aside). Madness and lies! I’ll hear no more ofthis. (Goes aside to Flora.)

T.(aside). Madness and lies! I’ll hear no more of

this. (Goes aside to Flora.)

D.It seems that dissipationAgrees not with grave men.

D.It seems that dissipation

Agrees not with grave men.

R.Heaven smite me deadIf I protest not ’gainst the wrong you do him.

R.Heaven smite me dead

If I protest not ’gainst the wrong you do him.

D.So hot!—Well, thrash this out between yourselves:’Tis nought to me. And, Frederick, when you have dressed,1300Rested, and breakfasted, attend me here.I thank you for your service.

D.So hot!—Well, thrash this out between yourselves:

’Tis nought to me. And, Frederick, when you have dressed,

Rested, and breakfasted, attend me here.

I thank you for your service.

F.You are welcome, madam,To all such offices. (Going.)

F.You are welcome, madam,

To all such offices. (Going.)

D.Please leave your servant.I have some papers ready indoors to send you.

D.Please leave your servant.

I have some papers ready indoors to send you.

F.I thank you.[Exit.

R.I crave permission: I would followTo ask of my particular affairs;How they are spoke of whence he comes.

R.I crave permission: I would follow

To ask of my particular affairs;

How they are spoke of whence he comes.

D.(bowing permission).I hopeYou will hear good.

D.(bowing permission).I hope

You will hear good.

R.(aside, going). My Frederick needs fresh prompting.He is so preoccupied in his own love,That I am forgotten.[Exit.

R.(aside, going). My Frederick needs fresh prompting.

He is so preoccupied in his own love,

That I am forgotten.[Exit.

Diana opens the letter.

T.(to Fl., shewing and shaking purse). Look here! Listen here!

FLORA.

1310What have you there?

What have you there?

T.Money,—ducats: all ducats.

D.(reading aloud).I could not have chosen, among all my friends, one more discreet and serviceable than is Ricardo. There is nothing so difficult that he has not experience for it ... nothing so private but that he may not well be trusted with it.... He has been accustomed to manage all my affairs....

Fl.(to T.). But where did you get them, Tristram?

T.Ah! She gave them me.

1320Fl.The Countess! What for?

Fl.The Countess! What for?

T.Secrets: and there’s more where they came from.

Fl.More secrets, or more ducats?

T.Both,—plenty of both.

Fl.How nice for us.

T.Us! Who d’you mean by us?

Fl.I mean when we are married, Tristram.

T.Married, say you, now? I thought you had not promised. When I had no money you hung off. Now you see me as rich as Plutarch, you’re quick enough. But it’s a hoax. I filled this bag with curtain-rings to deceive you: and where are you now?

Fl.O, Tristram, let me see.

D.Tristram!

T.Your ladyship!

D.I’ll speak with you.Flora, depart.[Exit Flora.

D.I’ll speak with you.

Flora, depart.[Exit Flora.

Now, Tristram, tell me shortly,What you have learned.

Now, Tristram, tell me shortly,

What you have learned.

T.I have found a letter, madam,Writ by the lady. (fumbles for it.)

T.I have found a letter, madam,

Writ by the lady. (fumbles for it.)

1341D.Indeed!—that is good news.Nothing could please me better. In so short timeThis is done excellently. Who is she, Tristram?

D.Indeed!—that is good news.

Nothing could please me better. In so short time

This is done excellently. Who is she, Tristram?

T.I think she is chained up somewhere in the court.

D.Chained in the court! What mean you?

T.Here ’tis, my lady:Read for yourself. (giving.)

T.Here ’tis, my lady:

Read for yourself. (giving.)

D.Why this is poetry;And in St. Nicholas’hand.

D.Why this is poetry;

And in St. Nicholas’hand.

T.I hope and trustYour ladyship will not take his part.

T.I hope and trust

Your ladyship will not take his part.

D.His part!What does this mean?

D.His part!

What does this mean?

T.I picked that up in the garden:St. Nicholas found me with it, and said ’twas his.1350I stood by it firmly ’twas the lady’s piece,And written to my master. He called me a thief;And if your ladyship....

T.I picked that up in the garden:

St. Nicholas found me with it, and said ’twas his.

I stood by it firmly ’twas the lady’s piece,

And written to my master. He called me a thief;

And if your ladyship....

D.Stay, Tristram, stay.This paper is nothing: take it, and right yourself,As best you are able, with St. Nicholas....Tell me now all that happened on the journeyI sent you last night with your master.

D.Stay, Tristram, stay.

This paper is nothing: take it, and right yourself,

As best you are able, with St. Nicholas....

Tell me now all that happened on the journey

I sent you last night with your master.

T.Your ladyshipSent him?

T.Your ladyship

Sent him?

D.Of course. I sent you both to Milan.When did you arrive there?

D.Of course. I sent you both to Milan.

When did you arrive there?

T.At Milan! Is’t possibleYour ladyship should think I have been to Milan?

T.At Milan! Is’t possible

Your ladyship should think I have been to Milan?

D.Not been to Milan?

T.Me!

1360D.You accompaniedYour master?

D.You accompanied

Your master?

T.I did.

D.(holding R.'s letter). And he has been to Milan.

T.It’s true, your ladyship, I understandNothing my master says, and very littleOf what you say to him: and if you sayHe 'as been to Milan, I’ll not meddle with it.But if you say that I have been to Milan,I am very much deceived. I do not likeThat any man should think such things of me;That I can go and not go, and be hereAnd there at once.

T.It’s true, your ladyship, I understand

Nothing my master says, and very little

Of what you say to him: and if you say

He 'as been to Milan, I’ll not meddle with it.

But if you say that I have been to Milan,

I am very much deceived. I do not like

That any man should think such things of me;

That I can go and not go, and be here

And there at once.

1370D.Stay, Tristram; tell me plainlyAll that your master has done since yesterday.

D.Stay, Tristram; tell me plainly

All that your master has done since yesterday.

T.Well, first I found him with another letter,All sighs and groans: then suddenly he bade meOrder the horses, and prepare myselfTo drive with him to the devil at six o’clock.At six we started on the Milan roadAnd came by dark to Asti; there we changedBoth horses and postilions and drove on:And after three hours’jolting, when I guessedWe should be nearing Milan, the coach stopped1381In a ferny glade, and we got out; and thenI saw we were at Belflor, and the treesWere in your ladyship’s park.

T.Well, first I found him with another letter,

All sighs and groans: then suddenly he bade me

Order the horses, and prepare myself

To drive with him to the devil at six o’clock.

At six we started on the Milan road

And came by dark to Asti; there we changed

Both horses and postilions and drove on:

And after three hours’jolting, when I guessed

We should be nearing Milan, the coach stopped

In a ferny glade, and we got out; and then

I saw we were at Belflor, and the trees

Were in your ladyship’s park.

D.Ah! Then what did he?

T.Came in and locked the gate of the park behind us,And sent me on to his room, and bade me waitTill he should come.

T.Came in and locked the gate of the park behind us,

And sent me on to his room, and bade me wait

Till he should come.

D.What hour was that?

T.Eleven.

D.(aside). The hour, no doubt, when he should meet his mistress—When came he in?

D.(aside). The hour, no doubt, when he should meet his mistress—

When came he in?

T.By midnight.

D.He locked the gate....The lady is in the palace.

D.He locked the gate....

The lady is in the palace.

T.So he pretends.

D.He let slip nothing on the journey?

1390T.He litA pocket-lamp, and sat, mute as a fish,Counting the minutes on his watch; and then,As if it served as well to tell the time,He fetched the jewelled portrait from his breast,And gazed on that.

T.He lit

A pocket-lamp, and sat, mute as a fish,

Counting the minutes on his watch; and then,

As if it served as well to tell the time,

He fetched the jewelled portrait from his breast,

And gazed on that.

D.A portrait?

T.Certainly.

D.Carries he a portrait, say you?

T.Certainly.

D.You know not who ’tis of?

T.Not I, my lady.

D.Could you get sight of it?

T.Impossible.At night ’tis neath his pillow, and all the day1400He keeps it in a little special pocketIn his doublet here, just under his heart; or ifHe pulls it out, he holds it by his chinWhere none may see.

T.Impossible.

At night ’tis neath his pillow, and all the day

He keeps it in a little special pocket

In his doublet here, just under his heart; or if

He pulls it out, he holds it by his chin

Where none may see.

D.You should have told me of this,This portrait: have you no guess who ’tis of?

D.You should have told me of this,

This portrait: have you no guess who ’tis of?

T.I guess ’tis part of the pretence, my lady;For when the fit is on he’ll talk to it:And once I saw him kiss it.

T.I guess ’tis part of the pretence, my lady;

For when the fit is on he’ll talk to it:

And once I saw him kiss it.

D.Thank you, Tristram.Take now these papers to your master at onceAnd tell him....

D.Thank you, Tristram.

Take now these papers to your master at once

And tell him....

T.(going). I will, your ladyship.

D.Stay yet....1410This letter which he brought me, did you seeWhence he procured it?

D.Stay yet....

This letter which he brought me, did you see

Whence he procured it?

T.I suppose, my lady,He wrote it himself, no doubt of it. Where elseShould he have got it?

T.I suppose, my lady,

He wrote it himself, no doubt of it. Where else

Should he have got it?

D.Tell Ricardo, Tristram,I wish to see him here, at once. Your masterMay wait on me at noon.

D.Tell Ricardo, Tristram,

I wish to see him here, at once. Your master

May wait on me at noon.

T.About that gentleman....

D.Begone, and do my bidding.[Exit T.They have met in spite of me—they have met: and heHath dared to disobey me and lie to my face.Who can it be? who is she? she is in my house....Ah! what a prey I have netted! One of my maids....1421One of my maids, it must be.... O detestation!And he hath her portrait. Ah, he loves, he loves.The love that taught me to dissemble and scheme,Hath taught him to meet plot with counterplot.—Frederick, dear Frederick! ’tis unworthy of you:This is too hard upon me.... I loved you well.Shame, shame, shame, shame! Indeed he cannot knowHow much I love him ... he cannot. Am I too oldAt twenty-seven? out-matched! I had taken too1430This letter for the Duke’s. Ho! the insolenceTo assume his fulsomeness! to forge in termsOf a humble obedient lover, so he mightKeep tryst with.... O shame, shame! and then to write itHe must have broke my seal, and read my letter—He has gone too far: here is a slip in honourWhich I may work on. I’ll not give him up,Not yet. He can be shamed: and first I’ll proveThe forgery, and then wring confession from him.’Tis well I have at hand so trusty a witness.

D.Begone, and do my bidding.[Exit T.

They have met in spite of me—they have met: and he

Hath dared to disobey me and lie to my face.

Who can it be? who is she? she is in my house....

Ah! what a prey I have netted! One of my maids....

One of my maids, it must be.... O detestation!

And he hath her portrait. Ah, he loves, he loves.

The love that taught me to dissemble and scheme,

Hath taught him to meet plot with counterplot.—

Frederick, dear Frederick! ’tis unworthy of you:

This is too hard upon me.... I loved you well.

Shame, shame, shame, shame! Indeed he cannot know

How much I love him ... he cannot. Am I too old

At twenty-seven? out-matched! I had taken too

This letter for the Duke’s. Ho! the insolence

To assume his fulsomeness! to forge in terms

Of a humble obedient lover, so he might

Keep tryst with.... O shame, shame! and then to write it

He must have broke my seal, and read my letter—

He has gone too far: here is a slip in honour

Which I may work on. I’ll not give him up,

Not yet. He can be shamed: and first I’ll prove

The forgery, and then wring confession from him.

’Tis well I have at hand so trusty a witness.

Re-enter Ricardo.

R.Your ladyship sent for me.

1440D.I did, Ricardo.In answer to the favour, which most gladlyI do you at the Duke’s request, I begA service for myself.

D.I did, Ricardo.

In answer to the favour, which most gladly

I do you at the Duke’s request, I beg

A service for myself.

R.My honoured masterCommands me, lady; and you command my master.I am twice yours.

R.My honoured master

Commands me, lady; and you command my master.

I am twice yours.

D.Again! well—Look at this!Is this your famous master’s writing? Look.You know it? (giving letter.)

D.Again! well—Look at this!

Is this your famous master’s writing? Look.

You know it? (giving letter.)

R.As my own.

D.Is that then his?

R.It is,And writ his best.

R.It is,

And writ his best.

D.Why, ’tis a forgery,And you are deceived.

D.Why, ’tis a forgery,

And you are deceived.

R.Nay, ’tis no forgery.

1450D.You are certain?

D.You are certain?

R.Certain.

D.You may read it through,Though ’tis about yourself. Examine it well,If ’tis authentic. You will only findProdigal praise to make you blush.

D.You may read it through,

Though ’tis about yourself. Examine it well,

If ’tis authentic. You will only find

Prodigal praise to make you blush.

R.(aside).No wonderIf I do blush, faced with my own device.(aloud, giving back.) I’ll strive to make this good.

R.(aside).No wonder

If I do blush, faced with my own device.

(aloud, giving back.) I’ll strive to make this good.

D.And ’tis his hand?

R.It is.

D.I am glad, because it came as answerTo a letter I wrote but yesterday, and gaveTo Frederick, ordering him to ride to MilanAnd give it the Duke. This morning, as you saw,He hands me this. His servant who was with him1461Tells me that he has not been to Milan at all,But slept in the court.

D.I am glad, because it came as answer

To a letter I wrote but yesterday, and gave

To Frederick, ordering him to ride to Milan

And give it the Duke. This morning, as you saw,

He hands me this. His servant who was with him

Tells me that he has not been to Milan at all,

But slept in the court.

R.(aside).Pest on that sneaking dolt!

D.What say you now?

R.May he not have used some other messenger?I had my doubts when he brought in his tale,That history of the banquet.—Did I not sayThe Duke was wronged?

R.May he not have used some other messenger?

I had my doubts when he brought in his tale,

That history of the banquet.—Did I not say

The Duke was wronged?

D.True, true; and tho’I am gladHe is quit of forgery, he is not of lying.What can I think?

D.True, true; and tho’I am glad

He is quit of forgery, he is not of lying.

What can I think?

1469R.I thought your ladyshipTrusted in Frederick wholly. When this morningYou praised him to me....

R.I thought your ladyship

Trusted in Frederick wholly. When this morning

You praised him to me....

D.Praised him! stay, I beg:I praised him not, save to draw words from you.And you described him well; did not you sayHe was contriving?

D.Praised him! stay, I beg:

I praised him not, save to draw words from you.

And you described him well; did not you say

He was contriving?

R.Then you trust him not?

D.See how he acts. Ah, if I told you all!And yet to tell argues much confidence....

D.See how he acts. Ah, if I told you all!

And yet to tell argues much confidence....

(Ricardo is silent and Diana continues.)

I have strange sympathies, affinities,Magnetic or electric it may be,Which rule my trust and liking: if all feel them1480I cannot say: in me they are intimationsOf supernatural efficacy: I findMy first impressions never prompt me wrong.Some men I see only to avoid,—You knowA strong example of that;—on the other handThere are some faces,—eyes, I think,—that draw meAt first encounter; so that I often fancyThere must be a subtle emanation thrownBy the spirit, as light from fire. Now yesterdayWhen I saw you, I felt the secret shock1490Which told me I was in presence of a soulIn harmony with mine, one I could trust,If I should need a friend: and when I wroteTo the Duke, it was not that my judgment wantedThe assurance which his letter gives. I knewHow it would be.—I hardly think, Ricardo,That, had I asked for his own character,Your master could have writ more praise.

I have strange sympathies, affinities,

Magnetic or electric it may be,

Which rule my trust and liking: if all feel them

I cannot say: in me they are intimations

Of supernatural efficacy: I find

My first impressions never prompt me wrong.

Some men I see only to avoid,—You know

A strong example of that;—on the other hand

There are some faces,—eyes, I think,—that draw me

At first encounter; so that I often fancy

There must be a subtle emanation thrown

By the spirit, as light from fire. Now yesterday

When I saw you, I felt the secret shock

Which told me I was in presence of a soul

In harmony with mine, one I could trust,

If I should need a friend: and when I wrote

To the Duke, it was not that my judgment wanted

The assurance which his letter gives. I knew

How it would be.—I hardly think, Ricardo,

That, had I asked for his own character,

Your master could have writ more praise.

R.I wishTo please my lady, as I have pleased the Duke.I have kept his secrets.

R.I wish

To please my lady, as I have pleased the Duke.

I have kept his secrets.

D.I shall tell you mine.1500Frederick hath had for some time an intrigueWith a lady—you understand,—a libertyI never have allowed, nor will: besidesIn him ’tis most intolerable....Now yesterday it chanced I came to learnHe had made appointment with this certain personTo meet by night: I know not who she is;But, wishing to prevent it, I contrivedTo send him on my message to the Duke;With what result you have heard.

D.I shall tell you mine.

Frederick hath had for some time an intrigue

With a lady—you understand,—a liberty

I never have allowed, nor will: besides

In him ’tis most intolerable....

Now yesterday it chanced I came to learn

He had made appointment with this certain person

To meet by night: I know not who she is;

But, wishing to prevent it, I contrived

To send him on my message to the Duke;

With what result you have heard.

R.The Duke, my lady,Is the only gainer here.

R.The Duke, my lady,

Is the only gainer here.

1510D.And are not you?

D.And are not you?

R.Yes, I too, if I am raised in your esteem.

D.Then you must help me.

R.I can truly vouchYour ladyship has read my heart and soul.I feel heaven-drawn to serve you to the death.What is’t to do?

R.I can truly vouch

Your ladyship has read my heart and soul.

I feel heaven-drawn to serve you to the death.

What is’t to do?

D.Only seek out this matterFor me; discover who this lady is.For private reasons I feel justifiedIn using any means to learn the truth1519Dishonestly held from me by my servant:And so I have questioned Tristram. He assures meThey met last night: but he is profoundly dull,And not in Frederick’s confidence.

D.Only seek out this matter

For me; discover who this lady is.

For private reasons I feel justified

In using any means to learn the truth

Dishonestly held from me by my servant:

And so I have questioned Tristram. He assures me

They met last night: but he is profoundly dull,

And not in Frederick’s confidence.

R.Has he no notionHow Frederick got this letter?

R.Has he no notion

How Frederick got this letter?

D.No.

R.Nor a hintOf this mysterious lady?

R.Nor a hint

Of this mysterious lady?

D.He cannot help you.

R.Your ladyship must have a near suspicion.

D.Only a suspicion that’s unfit to tell.

Enter Laura.

Here is my sister, whom I wish to question.Come to me soon again; I have meanwhileMyself a stroke to play. When we next meet1530I may know more.

Here is my sister, whom I wish to question.

Come to me soon again; I have meanwhile

Myself a stroke to play. When we next meet

I may know more.

R.Your most devoted servant.[Exit.

D.Good morning, dearest Laura.

LAURA.

Good morning, sister.

D.Did you sleep well last night?

L.I slept till nine.

D.What hour went you to bed?

L.Not very late....

D.Nay: but what hour?—before eleven?

L.(aside).What’s this?Are we discovered?

L.(aside).What’s this?

Are we discovered?

D.Was it before eleven?

L.I cannot tell. Why do you ask, Diana?What is it has happened?

L.I cannot tell. Why do you ask, Diana?

What is it has happened?

D.Answer me, I beg,And you shall know. About that hour of the nightDid you hear any noise?

D.Answer me, I beg,

And you shall know. About that hour of the night

Did you hear any noise?

L.(aside). Ricardo’s singing.—What kind of noise?

L.(aside). Ricardo’s singing.—

What kind of noise?

1540D.Why, any noise, betweenEleven and midnight.

D.Why, any noise, between

Eleven and midnight.

L.Did you hear a noise?

D.No: but did you?

L.O no: I heard no noise.What made you think there was a noise?

L.O no: I heard no noise.

What made you think there was a noise?

D.I have reason.

L.Was there a robbery?

D.Nay: no robbery.And yet there was, Laura, a robbery:Of honour,—our honour,—of woman’s honour.Laura, thou knowest the sacredness of love:Love is the one thing in the world which womenMust guard from profanation; for by love1550They rule; and if they trifle with their power,They come to be men’s chattels, not their queens.Thou’lt soon be married, Laura, and I can talkFreely of these things: I have taught thee the religiousAnd philosophic doctrines; but to-dayWe deal with facts. And first, then, I rejoiceThy husband will be a man whom thou wilt rule,One who adores thee reverently, who holdsOf love, as I, and with some special fancy:—He is quite a poet.—Why, now, shouldst thou smile?1560Thou hast no taste in poetry, but supposeSt. Nicholas had lacked that inner sight,Had fancied thee merely because he thought theeA fine girl, and had used the common tricksOf odious trifling, till he dared to kiss thee,And meet thee alone, and put his arm about thee....

D.Nay: no robbery.

And yet there was, Laura, a robbery:

Of honour,—our honour,—of woman’s honour.

Laura, thou knowest the sacredness of love:

Love is the one thing in the world which women

Must guard from profanation; for by love

They rule; and if they trifle with their power,

They come to be men’s chattels, not their queens.

Thou’lt soon be married, Laura, and I can talk

Freely of these things: I have taught thee the religious

And philosophic doctrines; but to-day

We deal with facts. And first, then, I rejoice

Thy husband will be a man whom thou wilt rule,

One who adores thee reverently, who holds

Of love, as I, and with some special fancy:—

He is quite a poet.—Why, now, shouldst thou smile?

Thou hast no taste in poetry, but suppose

St. Nicholas had lacked that inner sight,

Had fancied thee merely because he thought thee

A fine girl, and had used the common tricks

Of odious trifling, till he dared to kiss thee,

And meet thee alone, and put his arm about thee....

L.Good heavens, Diana! I hope you do not thinkHe has ever done so.

L.Good heavens, Diana! I hope you do not think

He has ever done so.

D.No: of course he wouldn’t.But ’tis a fact men do such things; and thatNot with one woman only. And ’tis true1570That there are ladies who admit the addressesOf more than one man.

D.No: of course he wouldn’t.

But ’tis a fact men do such things; and that

Not with one woman only. And ’tis true

That there are ladies who admit the addresses

Of more than one man.

L.O Diana!

D.Indeed,’Tis true: and women are to blame if menMake them their sport. Thou’rt shocked: but ’tis a factThat this detested pestilence invadesEarth’s every nook: my palace doors and bolts,My strong precautions, my well-known regardFor strictness, my injunctions, my example,Cannot expel it.

D.Indeed,

’Tis true: and women are to blame if men

Make them their sport. Thou’rt shocked: but ’tis a fact

That this detested pestilence invades

Earth’s every nook: my palace doors and bolts,

My strong precautions, my well-known regard

For strictness, my injunctions, my example,

Cannot expel it.

L.Pray, Diana, tell meWhat it is: you frighten me. Was any caught1580Breaking the rules, or is it but suspicion?

L.Pray, Diana, tell me

What it is: you frighten me. Was any caught

Breaking the rules, or is it but suspicion?

D.Of the two criminals, the man I know,The woman I know not; but if I knew her,I am in the mood to kill her.

D.Of the two criminals, the man I know,

The woman I know not; but if I knew her,

I am in the mood to kill her.

L.(aside).Thank heaven, she does not guess me—Who is the man?

L.(aside).Thank heaven, she does not guess me—

Who is the man?

D.Better not ask; it matters not to thee:But thou canst help me find this erring Eve.If thou’st observed in any of the maidsConscious behaviour, scrupulous regardTo petty adornment, or, what most betrays,An inconsiderate blushing....

D.Better not ask; it matters not to thee:

But thou canst help me find this erring Eve.

If thou’st observed in any of the maids

Conscious behaviour, scrupulous regard

To petty adornment, or, what most betrays,

An inconsiderate blushing....

1590L.(aside).The maids, she says!One of the maids! Good heavens!—

L.(aside).The maids, she says!

One of the maids! Good heavens!—

D.Marcela:Could it be she? She is handsome.

D.Marcela:

Could it be she? She is handsome.

L.’Tis not she:She tells me all her secrets.

L.’Tis not she:

She tells me all her secrets.

D.Dorothy?

L.I do not think it.

D.Katharine?

L.No, not Kate.

D.I’ll find the traitress out.

L.(aside).To save myselfI had best fall in with this.

L.(aside).To save myself

I had best fall in with this.

D.What do you say?

L.I have not a suspicion,—but....

D.But what?What?

D.But what?

What?

L.If there’s any one who might be chargedWith levity....

L.If there’s any one who might be charged

With levity....

D.Who is it?

L.You’ll not be angry,Diana?

L.You’ll not be angry,

Diana?

D.Nay: but tell me.

1600L.I should say,If there’s one frivolous, and more than othersUnapt to profit by the rules....

L.I should say,

If there’s one frivolous, and more than others

Unapt to profit by the rules....

D.’Tis who?

L.I think ’tis your own maid.

D.Flora?—pooh! pooh!Flora’s almost a hoyden.

D.Flora?—pooh! pooh!

Flora’s almost a hoyden.

L.(aside).How stupid of me!

D.They meet at night, Laura: unless he daresTo pass my chamber-door, ’tis in the garden.Your window looks that way. I thought last nightYou might have heard them.

D.They meet at night, Laura: unless he dares

To pass my chamber-door, ’tis in the garden.

Your window looks that way. I thought last night

You might have heard them.

L.Why, it’s very unlikelyI should hear through the window.

L.Why, it’s very unlikely

I should hear through the window.

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