and is heard calling frantically. The
voice of URSUS answers him. PHEDRO stands listening, an evil
smile contorting his mouth._]

GWYMPLANE [_off stage_]

Dea!

[_There is no answer._]

GWYMPLANE

[_Re-entering hurriedly. Goes up to PHEDRO in 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 and are 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._]

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._]

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 have _told_ her.

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.

[_GWYMPLANE be