g a rap for him! Well, it is something to have found out
that vanity is the ruling passion. I shall take more care of its
feelings than ever after this. But--your story, little blind girl.

DEA

O--I stretched my arms out against this gentleman and prayed, and my
prayer was heard, for Phedro came and said he thought he had heard
you call, and this man went out telling me to remain, when a pair of
hands suddenly laid hold upon my wrists and led me out into the air,
then pushed me into this room.

DUCHESS

Think how disappointed your lover will be when he returns and finds
you gone!

DEA

I do not care what he should think.

DUCHESS

Your affections are already a wreath upon some mortal head, eh?

DEA [_modestly_]

Yes, I love, I am beloved.

DUCHESS [_quizzically regarding her_]

By whom, pray?

DEA

Messire Gwymplane of the circus troop.

DUCHESS [_throwing back her head and laughing_]

No? Beloved by Gwymplane, you say?

[_GWYMPLANE looks at her in a horror of bewilderment, the point
of her conduct beginning to pierce his heart._]

DEA

O yes, beloved by Gwymplane.

DUCHESS

It seems to me, child, that upon this somewhat fantastic night we have
perhaps changed partners.

DEA

Madame?

[_GWYMPLANE stands rigidly silent. The DUCHESS plucks a flower
from a vase, throwing the petals over DEA'S head in a gesture
half gay, half brutal._]

DUCHESS

At last the whimsy of my soul is outmatched by the turn of events.

DEA

I hang upon your words, Madame, yet I do not understand them.

DUCHESS

Still you and I have proven to each other, with and without intent,
the existence of a quality common to the world at large--faithlessness,
look you.

[_With an almost violent gesture she drags DEA over to GWYMPLANE
and places her hand upon the familiar form._]

DEA

[_Feeling with gradually hurrying, hysterical fingers._]

Gwymplane, my love!

GWYMPLANE

Ah, Dea, yes.

DEA

How wonderful to find you in this terrible nightmare--like a fire
flaming up before snow-lost feet.

GWYMPLANE

My Dea.

[_She puts her hand upon his shoulder, the DUCHESS regarding them
through her lorgnette._]

DUCHESS

What an idyl! How it refreshes me to watch. However, come, clown, take
the girl and begone. Here is a crown for your love--it did not please
me, you know, so you are getting far more than your deserts.

DEA [_halting_]

Your love, G