MADAM _at a work table_.--PAGE _attending_.

_Mad._ Thou art a saucy boy! Thy father was a gentleman, so, thinking thee too good for everything, I have made thee good for nothing. I thought the marquis had left Mante a month ago.

_Page._ It was only yesterday you wrote to enquire after him, madam--[_aside_]. I understand--the note has not been answered.

_Mad._ Did I? I had forgotten. He was surprised, no doubt?

_Page._ I did not see him. I thought he might at least have been civil enough to enquire for your health, madam.

_Mad._ Poor man! ’Tis said he is writing his memoirs, if they prove as heavy as his company, Heaven help his readers!

_Page._ [_aside_]. So! She would have me contradict her! [_aloud_]. I always thought so, madam.

_Mad._ Sirrah, indeed! Woulds’t thou slander him because he can perceive no more wit in thine imp’s tricks than should be whipped out of thee?

_Page._ It needs some wit to perceive wit, and so I hold the marquis excused--

_Mad._ And yet the king hath chosen him from many wits to be his prime counsellor--

_Page._ That was because he thought the little wit he possessed would not be obscured by his feeling.

_Mad._ Hath he not feeling, then? He hath not grudged to shed his blood, and lavish on his friend whate’er he had.

_Page._ The more shame for him, madam; for it proves his want of honesty to his creditors--

_Mad._ By which want he sets them the example of a nobler virtue--devotion to his king and country.

_Page._ Well, madam, then we’ll grant him wit, feeling, and virtue. If he does me no good turn, after having obtained all this for him--the next time I’ll _praise_ him.

_Mad._ Malapert, I’ve spoilt thee!

_Page._ Then, whilst he obtains the profit of all the wit he would have whipped out of me, I’ll go, and mend--madam, here comes the marquis.

[_introduces_ MARQUIS _and exit_.

_Mad._ The marquis! [_aside_]. Alas, his wounds!

_Marq._ Madam! [_bowing with ceremony_].

_Mad._ Oh, sir, most welcome from the field of Ivri! I fear you have much forestalled your powers in doing me this grace.

_Marq._ Madam, the powers which are weak in our own service, possess a charmed existence in the king’s.

_Mad._ [_disconcerted_]. Is it to the king’s service that I owe this visit? My lord, I am proud to be of his majesty’s cabinet council.

_Marq._ Hem! [_aside_]. perhaps the step were not so difficult. Permit me madam [_is going to hand chairs--she prevents him_].

_Mad._ No, my lord, no! Your wounds, I pray you! [_They sit_].

_Marq._ The king is almost ruined!

_Mad._ Ah! do not say so! [_aside_]. I wish I did not tremble so?

_Marq._ Almost ruined, madam, from want of means to follow up his victories--his superintendent of finance has robbed him of his revenues--the estates of Rosny have scarcely another stick to sell, and our cause has become too desperate to afford a hope of borrowing.

_Mad._ Alas, that I had wealth to make such a hope needless!

_Marq._ ’Tis to that, madam, I am coming, ’tis said your late lamented husband had the happiness of leaving you provided in a manner suitable to your virtues.

_Mad._ Alas! alas!

_Marq._ [_aside_]. Am I deceived in her? Will not her loyalty stand the test?

_Mad._ Would I could aid the king to march triumphant, tho’ I beheld it barefoot! Look, sire, the riches of these walls--with all the state, so much o’ermeasured to my wants--are gone. Yet, think not I regret them--no, only in this; that they are no longer at your service.

_Marq._ Gone, madam, I am amazed!

_Mad._ Think not I have squandered them. No! They have purchased me both pride and happiness!

_Marq._ Madam, I am rejoiced you have made such envied purchases in so short a time. Forgive me if, when I was last in Mante--a few days previous to the battle of Ivri--I deemed these feelings inseparable from the cause of the King--

_Mad._ And so, my lord, they were.

_Marq._ Here is some meaning hidden from me. Ha! Gods! you change colour, madam! Can it be? have I solved a mystery? have I found a miracle?

_Mad._ Not so, unless it be a miracle to follow your example.

_Marq._ Hark you, madam, listen. In that long night before the battle of Ivri, as I lay upon the cold earth, revolving in my mind the fortunes of the morrow--the many chances of desertion by our unpaid, starving soldiers, thinking how gladly I would purchase them but one day’s pay with the last drop in my chilled and wounded body--in that moment when I foresaw our good cause lost, our noble Henry sacrificed to the malice of his foes--

_Mad._ Thank heaven, your fate was better!

_Marq._ In that moment was conveyed to me--I never learnt from whom--the blessing I despaired of--_treasure_, madam, _treasure_, so abundant,--it more than answered our necessities! The fight was gained, but by _whose_ hands? These naked walls are witnesses! By _yours_! yes, _yours_!

_Mad._ My lord, I beseech you name it not.

_Marq._ Oh, woman, woman! Henry I forgive thee! for thy devotion to her power is wisdom! If the king obtains his crown, it is to _you_ he owes it; and ’tis my business now to talk of the security for that which purchased it.

_Mad._ I never heard _you_ took security.

_Marq._ It was not needful--what I had was his.

_Mad._ And why not mine the same?

_Marq._ [_aside_]. ’Tis well he does not hear as much. [_rather uneasy_]. Beseech you, madam, did you ever see his majesty?

_Mad._ Often--in your description, never elsewhere.

_Marq._ Then, am I bound the more to see you well secured. If it please you, we will now discuss the nature--the nature of the said security. In short the moveables of Rosny, and some other of my poor estates, have been disposed of long ago--the jewels of our family are scattered in the four quarters of the globe, and I can scarce replace my wounded charger that’s aching with the balls and blades of Ivri. But, madam, the lands of Rosny, though bare, are wide, and if they cannot furnish what we _want_, they can provide good interest for what we have had.

_Mad._ My lord, I implore you--

_Marq._ But this is not sufficient. The question now is the repayment of the principal, and it so chances, happily or otherwise, as you may please to determine, my lands cannot, with warranty of law, be alienated from the name of Rosny.

_Mad._ [_aside_]. Did I hear aright [_aloud_]. Indeed, sir, I do not exactly--understand you.

_Marq._ It is easy madam--that is to say--it is very difficult--very embarrassing.--In short, madam, my time has been so devoted to the state that I have not the eloquence--the--

_Mad._ If you would say, my lord, that you are not like those whose lives have been less valuable to the world, it is true; and not such loss to you as you consider it.

_Marq._ I thank you, madam, for your opinion, and will resume--touching this same bar to the conveyance of the lands of Rosny beyond the family, and how I would propose conveying them to _you_, whom--as yet--we have not the pride of--of numbering in our house. In fact, to be explanatory--I will make bold to throw the window open.

_Maig._ [_without_]. Is my lord here?

_Mad._ [_aside_]. Heaven’s, here is some one coming!

_Marq._ [_aside_]. Unfortunate intrusion! After working to such a point, all to begin again!

_Enter_ MAIGNAN _hastily_.

_Marq._ Maignan! What folly brings thee here?

_Maig._ No folly of mine, my lord, whatever it may be of other folks. It is just as I expected! This ma’amselle Katherine from the superintendent’s--

_Marq._ A--hem--[_aside to_ MAIGNAN]. Hush, hush good knave!

_Mad._ [_aside_]. Ma’amselle Katherine!

_Marq._ [_apart to_ MAIGNAN--MADAM _regarding them with suspicion and alarm_]. I see it! Thou hast tidings of the king, but we must hide our master’s faults even here.

_Maig._ They will be published widely enough presently! You imagine you left him sleeping, my lord, but no sooner were you gone than he began to rave of ma’amselle Katherine--wrote her a note to implore a meeting in the superintendent’s garden, and charged me to deliver it. Not daring either to refuse or to obey, I gave it to another messenger, and hastened to apprise you.

_Marq._ Gods, thou should’st have brought it here! Is he mad? In the superintendent’s garden! Hark ye--hark ye--[_they converse apart_].

_Mad._ [_apart_]. Is not this strange? Did I mistake him? He did not quite say marriage; but ’twas a riddle to which there was no other answer--and the next moment--could any one believe it of a person so demure!--he flies into desperation at some news of ma’amselle Katherine at the superintendent’s--

_Marq._ [_apart_]. By all that’s true, he is not worthy to have so faithful a servant! At such a time too! He wearies me! He wears me out.

_Mad._ One of us two has certainly turned his head, and though I care not which it be, there is no harm in knowing.

_Marq._ [_apart to MAIGNAN_]. Fly, knave, and take thy stand near the superintendent’s garden, observe what presses, whilst I halt after thee.

_Maig._ My lord, if I might advise [_apart to_ MARQUIS].

_Marq._ [_to_ MAIGNAN]. I tell thee I must see this fatal beauty, though it cost my life--away with thee.

_Maig._ [_to_ MARQUIS]. Well, my lord, remember what I have foretold. [_Exit._

_Mad._ [_repeating apart_]. This fatal beauty, though it cost my life.

_Marq._ [_coming towards her_]. Madam, a sudden service of the king’s.

_Mad._ Of the king, my lord?

_Marq._ A most unlooked for duty which will admit of no delay--

_Mad._ Oh, sir, neglect it not, I beseech you!

_Marq._ Allow me to add, madam, a duty most unseasonable. But we shall meet again--

_Mad._ Doubtless, my lord--

_Marq._ Our interview has not the termination I looked for, madam.

_Mad._ A very unexpected one, I dare say, my lord.

_Marq._ [_bowing profoundly and backing off the scene_]. Madam, your most--

_Mad._ [_curtseying, and backing to the other side_]. My lord your most--

_Marq._ Unchangeable--

_Mad._ Devoted--

_Marq._ [_turning and hurrying off_]. By heaven, too bad! Too bad! [_Exit._

_Mad._ Sirrah! Where art thou? Quick.

_Re-enter_ PAGE.

If thou would’st play a spite upon the marquis to make us laughter, fly--dodge him to the superintendent’s. Find what he does--I promise thee brave sport!

_Page._ Aye, madam, that will I. [_aside_]. He has not been heavy this time. [_Exit._

_Mad._ [_troubled_]. What does he mean? Can one so famed for truth be, after all, no better than a base hypocrite? I know not whether to believe or doubt. Her uncle’s house is open nightly to all comers--I am a visit in her debt--what if I go and see what’s passing there--[_going, stops_].--I feel I am a little flurried--I may betray too much--and yet the boy can bring me nothing, and I may never have another occasion to be satisfied--I care not what they say or think--I’ll penetrate this mystery--I’ll go. [_Exit._