ion to GWYMPLANE, at length too afflicted by the
situation to guard her poise._]

DUCHESS

You would not talk like a clown. Be----I know you--a gentleman. Save
me! Save us!

[_She points to a door._]

In there--a blind closet. Do not attempt to escape or we shall hear
you.

GWYMPLANE

[_Bowing low and casting an ironic eye upon the panic of the
DUCHESS._]

There is at least a peculiar variety in your demands, Madame----

[_The door barely closes upon him as the QUEEN enters continuing
her speech._]

QUEEN

Consequently, if you are too ill to attend the Queen, it is but human
for the Queen to await anxiously upon you. But, my dear--

[_The DUCHESS is biting her lip with ill-concealed rage._]

You do not look ill--you look angry. Have there been disturbing
things?

[_She plucks the curtain aside, and lets it drop, but continues
looking about her with assumed carelessness._]

DUCHESS

Nothing more disturbing than being continually interrupted--I do not
speak of your Majesty's visit--when I wished to remain undisturbed.

QUEEN

How annoying to have one's solitary reveries continually scattered by
people hammering at the door. What did they all want? Who were they?

DUCHESS

There was Charles.

QUEEN

And after that?

DUCHESS

O, various people asking ridiculous questions.

[_She plucks a large bit of heliotrope from the bowl and bites it
rather vengefully._]

But, my sister, do confide in me the august matter that can
necessitate your being abroad at such an unearthly hour.

QUEEN

There is no one that can overhear us? You have dismissed your
servants?

DUCHESS

O, hours ago. [_rather insolently_] You may feel quite at your ease
with me.

QUEEN

You will forgive my poking about, Josephine? But you are so vague--all
artistic and beautiful natures are vague--you might easily have
forgotten that Piccolo is hanging about somewhere waiting to carry a
last goodnight word to your impatient bridegroom. Why, there is a
strange girl sitting at this very moment in your conservatory. Her
face was somehow familiar.

DUCHESS [_commencing to be rather distracted_]

Ah, yes, a late hamper of my wedding clothes. The girl awaits for me
to repay her pains for coming. But, indeed, your Majesty, I would be
flattered if you would accept my word that we are alone here.

QUEEN

Dear child, naturally, I accept your conviction that there is n