Constance.

I pray thee, father, hear me.

Hu. I have heard thee. Thou tellest me nought but what I know. The duke Hath been with me: his purpose to renew His suit hath my support. ’Tis very honourable— It shall be welcome. Though thy words to him Betrayed reluctance, that makes yet no reason To shun him. He will presently be here: Stay and receive him.

Con. O, if I do not dream, Heaven help me now!

Hu. Constance, I pray, be sober. I am sorry for thee: but what seems thy grief Will be thy comfort, when thou learn’st the cause Which presses me to urge it.

Con. What lies behind? What misery? Say!

Hu. Manuel, whom late we trusted, Hath turned against me. He hath joined the rebels.

Con. Who dares to slander him?

Hu. Fact makes no room For slander. The devil himself could not invent A tale to blacken him. First to the court He hath writ of me in secret, in the sense That I have stirred the king’s men to rebellion By my misrule; and all the while at home He feeds the mischief, and most treacherously Favours the rebels, so to magnify The blame on me he charges.

Con. The crime’s too great. If this be all I breathe again. The time When thou wilt prove this ’twill away like smoke. Not till ’tis proved question our marriage, father.

Hu. The question now with him is not of marriage, But of his head.

Con. Shame, shame! if these be words, What is their sense?

Hu. To-morrow, or to-day, I shall have proof.

Con. I knew ’twas all unproven. Who brought this lie, and propped it with the promise To make it true?

Hu. Go, girl, I hear the duke. He must not see thee thus.

Con. So far is well. I gladly go.—Dear father!

Hu. Go take thy grief Where thou canst comfort it. This Manuel Hath not deceived thee more than me, and me Would have more grossly wronged.

Con. Alas! alas! [Exit.

Hu. The proof will be to search his house, and so Both knaves are caught at once. Now to that end Lest he get wind of it I have bid him hither, And shall detain him till ’tis done.

Enter Philip.

Your grace, I have stayed for you.