Frederick.

Silence, Tristram. Take off your boots.

T. Pray, sir....

F. Not a word. Obey me.

T. Heaven help us! what is this for?

F. Silence. Are they off?

T. They are coming.

F. Hark now what you have to do. Cross the grass silently, unlock my door, creep upstairs like a thief, and sit in my chamber without a movement till I come.

T. The grass is like a sponge. I have begun to catch cold already: I am just going to sneeze.

F. Sneeze, and I’ll strangle you.

T. Is this your treatment for all my services?

F. Your service is your duty to obey: And once you served me well: of late you are grown Questionous and prying; which I have so far borne, Because I have been in doubt whether it were best To thrash you or discharge you.

T. And no wonder neither. Thus the world will repay devotion. Can I see you so blind to your good fortune, and when heaven’s door stands open....

F. Heaven’s door! what is this?

T. You do not know.

F. Say what you mean.

T. This court, wherein you serve and get no thanks, You might rule and be thanked.

F. Just as I thought; Ere I dismiss you I shall tell the Countess Your insolence. The whipping you will get Will save me trouble.

T. I pray you on my knees.

F. Get up, fool, lest you sneeze. And would you escape Your rich deservings, be off.

T. Betray me not, sir: I will obey you better.

F. Silence: go do as I bid you. Begone, and take your boots. [Exit T. So my man knows her secret. ’Tis high time That Laura and I were off. This salves my conscience From any scruple. ’Tis a rule of art To make obstructions serve: and my chief hindrance, Diana’s passion, can but urge me on. So the mischance, which drew me hence to-night, Hath brought me hither a more secret way. The night is still. I would there were a wind. And there’s the clock. (Clock strikes.) I’ll wait Till it hath sounded.... No light.... I’ll tap.

(Goes to window and taps. Laura comes to window and opens.)

F. All’s well. ’Tis I.