Frederick.

The coach is waiting.

D. Here is my letter: give it to the Duke. The answer is not urgent: it may keep you A day or two at Milan.

F. You wish, my lady, I should return?

D. Why not?

I understood Your ladyship to accept my resignation. It lies with her convenience but to fix The day of my dismission.

D. Do you wish To leave my service?

F. I could never serve Where I am distrusted.

D. Would you reconsider Your angry speech, I would make some concession.

F. I had cause for anger.

D. That I would concede. But I too was provoked; and in the end I came off worst.

F. Not so, my lady.

D. I sought To learn your secret, and was merely fooled.

F. I understand not how your ladyship Was first provoked,—at least with me.

D. Nay, true: ’Twas a mistake. We need no explanation, And may be friends again.

F. I cannot offer Her ladyship my services.

D. You leave me?

F. ’Tis better that I should. I thank your ladyship For many kindnesses. I pray sincerely You may be better suited.

D. No fear for that, Frederick: for by my soul I think There is no other man would so have wronged me As thou hast done.... My only fault hath been To have thought too well of thee. But do not dream I am unprepared. I have seen thro’thee, Frederick; Yes, thro’and thro’. My offers of concession I made to prove thee, lest thou shouldst pretend That I was unforgiving. In the letter I have writ the Duke, thou bearest the commission Of thy successor. Henceforth I reject thee: And treat thee as thou deservest. Go, sir, go! Indeed, I care not whether you go or not.

F. I have then your leave to stay away?

D. My leave? I bid thee go, and never see me more. I have done with thee, sir. Go!

[Exit F. bowing.

And that’s the man I loved; the man for whom I sank to jealousy. Who is’t he loves? He love! The fool was right: he loves himself. Now will he bide at Milan. Ah, good sir, Thy lady is not there, and yet thou goest Most cheerfully,—thou goest. And it was thou Didst write soft verses: music too,—thy music. And I thinking I loved thee was betrayed A thousand times ... and to be scorned—by thee! Scorned for another. (Weeps.)

Enter St. Nicholas hastily.