wymplane? She said your love?

GWYMPLANE

Anyone can misuse a word, but my voice is lost in a stammer of shame.

DEA

I do not understand, but for what is love save to pass understanding?
[_She puts her arm through his_] Come, let us go.

DUCHESS [_with furious malice_]

What a charming way of conducting life, little blind girl! When your
lover is tired of pursuing his latest fancy and has been thrown out
[_almost stamping her foot_] he will return and grow warm in the rays
of your faith.

DEA

Gwymplane will not fancy anyone save me. Ursus says so, and besides I
know it--I could not live if I did not know it.

DUCHESS [_laughing_]

[_GWYMPLANE steps menacingly towards her._]

Clown, clown, you shall not murder me because I do not champion your
deceits. [_to DEA_] Your lover does not care that I should repeat the
poetry of his conversation to me this evening, but it was such rare
poetry--more rare than I wanted in fact. [_mimicking derisively_] "I
feel as if we were in a black barge upon a scarlet sea, as if in a
moment our boat would dip over the horizon line, and we two should be
lost forever," or--here is another pretty line--"I feel as if all the
rays of light in the world were flowing from behind the chalice of
your pale face."

DEA [_putting her hand to her heart_]

Oh, Gwymplane--the last thing she said--was so like--so like----

DUCHESS

Maybe it is a stanza that he says to all of us. Poets are peculiar
creatures--they have their lines by heart and insist upon repeating
them, even at the wrong moment.

DEA [_staggers_]

Gwymplane, my love--for you are my love--I am terribly hurt
somewhere--Let us go.

GWYMPLANE

[_Supporting DEA and turning to the DUCHESS._]

You did not have your pleasure, I know, and----

DUCHESS [_pointing imperiously_]

Go, clown. I can add the situation up myself. No, I think I want
another word with you.

[_GWYMPLANE, unheeding, tries to pass her with DEA upon his
arm._]

Fool, obey me, or embrace a peril that will choke you and your little
friend of disobedience. Come, she shall await you in my private
conservatory.

[_She makes a gesture as if to separate them._]

GWYMPLANE

I shall go with her.

DUCHESS

Nay, suspect no more mousetraps. Lead her there yourself; see that she
is comfortable among the candles and flowers, then return to me for
your own interest and for hers.

[_GWYMPLANE leads DEA out door on left a