_Vict._ This marquis does not come--’tis past the hour-- How! Katherine!

_Enter_ KATHERINE.

_Kath._ I sent a message, Victor; Would you not hear it?

_Vict._ The noble kinswoman Of one who holds the king’s authority-- It was my duty to obey you----madam.

_Kath._ Madam from Victor! Madam and duty! Good! It was your duty to _maintain_ my fame, And not to slander it.

_Vict._ Methinks that duty Belongs more rightly to the marquis.

_Kath._ If I met the marquis ’twas by accident.

_Vict._ And doubtless ’tis another accident That makes you marchioness.

_Kath._ No, Victor, no! You ne’er gave credit to that artifice; You could not do it.

_Vict._ And if ’twas artifice, What fortune shall be his, when it is proved so-- His madam, his--I mean the cavalier Whom you encounter’d _not_ by accident?

_Kath._ The fortune that’s above your guidance, Victor, Be’t good or ill; and therefore much beyond All doubt of my participation in’t; I came to tell you ’twas the _king_ I met.

_Vict._ The king!

_Kath._ But I will render you a true account Of all that pass’d.

_Vict._ The rest may be imagined.

_Kath._ No--hear me--

_Vict._ I have heard.

_Kath._ First, here’s the letter I dared not give you.

_Vict._ Keep it--’tis too late--

_Kath._ Thou wilt not judge till thou hast heard me?

_Vict._ Heard What I had never heard, but for last night Which placed it past concealment.

_Kath._ So! Enough! All this I bear with, for the blush ’twill cost thee-- But mark me, Victor--I have told the how The king hath sought a refuge here in Mante, Where he has scarce a friend.--Thou hast command, And ’tis thy part, to see no ill befall him-- ’Tis a rare chance to merit nobly--do so-- Press not these doubts to deeds--else fare thee well.

_Enter_ LA PLUME _and_ DU FRONT _with money bags_.

_La P._ Look, who are these? our mistress, and--

_Du F._ No matter, Friends to our cause--no time for jealousy, We are pursued. If you would serve the king Look here and lend a hand.

_La P._ Nay, doubt us not, Here’s proof convincing--this is gold--all gold.

_Vict._ Gold for the king!

_Du F._ Stolen from the superintendent.

_La P._ We are in concert with my Lord de Rosny, And here’s a plot.

_Vict._ A plot! a noble plot! And swifter than my hopes [_seizing them_]. Villains and thieves What, rob your master!--ho! there, sentinels!

_Kath._ Hold, Victor--hold.

_Vict._ What, rob you master, traitors! And escape hanging? Breaking on the wheel? Hollo there! Ho!

_Du F._ Blood, art thou mad. Let go.

_Kath._ Yet, Victor, hear me!

_Enter Sentinels._

_Vict._ These are two rogues that rob the superintendent. To prison and report them--off.

[_Exeunt Sentinels with_ DU FRONT _and_ LA PLUME.

_Kath._ Forgive me heaven That I did love this man! My dream is ended. [_Exit._

_Enter the_ KING.

_Hen._ Here are the lists, and there’s the adverse knight, Armed _cap à pie_ with fires from Erebus! Fair sir, will’t please you give me audience?

_Vict._ The king!

_Hen._ Now frankly to the matter here-- Your name is Victor, and you love the niece Of my good superintendent, and are now Preparing thunders for our noble marquis.

_Vict._ The marquis, sire, is pleased to take on him The deeds of others.

_Hen._ An’ thou know’st so much, ’Tis so much less to tell thee--come, speak freely.

_Vict._ My liege, I’d have my blood one moment royal.

_Hen._ ’Tis honest, and that’s better--

_Vict._ Or my rival, For a brief space, a subject.

_Hen._ Fairly said, There’s nothing that I quarrel with, except The doubt that I would seek in royalty A shelter from the laws of gentlemen-- No, by mine honour, if the king hath wronged thee, Thou never cans’t be righted by old Rosny. Rosny may lie for him, an’ he so please, But Henry (’tis the only privilege His subjects grudge him not) fights for himself--

_Vict._ My liege--

_Hen._ Yet hear me. I perceive a contest ’Twixt your liege lord, and twenty liege lady, Which I would end in peace, with fewest words. Thou hast believed me charmed to her thrall-- Why so art thou--then where’s thy right to blame me? I would she had been charmed as much to mine! And finds’t me guilty of a _billet-doux_, In strains that merited a better fortune-- And interviews by night--heaven help old Rosny, He hath stood sponsor till his case is hopeless-- And shifts, and escapades--I know not what. Well, ’tis all true; and now thy cause to love me? ’Tis that I give thee proof of thy love’s love Thou ne’er had’st gained without me--if I urged A suit unworthy, be the shame on’t mine-- I had repaired it with the throne of France, Which she refused, aye, and for thee refused it. Would’st thou have proof? Go, win me her consent, And thou shalt see thy Katherine thy queen!

_Vict._ If this be so--

_Hen._ And wherefore should it not? Why should I take these pains, but for the truth, And my desire to mend in honesty What I have marred in folly? an’ thou doubt’st I have no title here but fellow-soldier.

_Vict._ Henceforth, let no man trust himself in love Or loyalty--in any faith he holds! I had defied whate’er the world contains Of solid test, and at a shade turn traitor!

_Hen._ A traitor--thou? Thou art a slanderer.

_Vict._ My liege, in madness to compel the justice Your majesty’s free will has offered me, Have I arrested such a sum of treasure As would have paved your road to Paris--given The bearers on’t to durance; and ere this Your cause is ruined!

_Hen._ Treasure? Is it gone? What, no retrieving it?

_Vict._ My liege if life--[_going, the_ KING _stops him_].

_Hen._ No, no--[_tumult heard_]. What noise is that?

_Vict._ The tale is known, The hounds are on the chase.

_Hen._ We’ll make them howl for ’t.

_Vict._ Sire! I will die regaining my lost name--

_Hen._ Aye, but not yet. I would we had old Rosny-- Mine ancient magazine of last resources! His wit’s the light of other hemispheres, And just begins to dawn where mine’s benighted-- He’d have some mine to spring, I’ll warrant him-- Some succour under ground, or in the clouds-- Some scheme the world ne’er heard of---gad’s my life, No other scheme will serve! Go! stand aloof-- Watch me these varlets--I’ve an errand elsewhere--

_Vict._ I will not leave you.

_Hen._ Watch them--I will come-- To find this treason’s depth, we’ll sweep the scum.

[_Exeunt._