Rose.

My lady, I have no lover.

D. Tell me who this man was.

Rose. I do not know. I heard no noise till Marcela awoke me.

D. Didst thou awake her, Marcela?

Mar. Yes, my lady. She was asleep. Rose always speaks the truth. It wasn’t Rose.

D. You are all then in one plot: Or shame has made you lie. But never think To escape. I know the gentleman, and know He visits one of you: and which it is I’ll learn to-night: unless perhaps you’ll say He makes love to you all.

Mar. Indeed, my lady, He is quite a proper man.

Dor. And all his courtship Has been most regular.

D. Come, come: confess. Who is it?

Fl. It’s me, my lady. I must confess.

D. Flora!

Fl. Forgive me, I beg; for I abjure I never asked him: but, as I often tell him, He takes such liberties; which, as you know him, I need not tell your ladyship: and ’tis true We have been some time engaged.

D. Engaged!—to you! Here’s a fine story!

R. (aside). She has not said his name.

Fl. Indeed, ’tis true, my lady; and I am sure My lady will pardon me. And since he hath told me How kind your ladyship hath been to him....

D. By heaven, I’ll have you whipped,—whipped!

Fl. O, my lady!

D. And speak of marriage, you impertinent hussy!

Fl. It was the money which your ladyship gave him, That made us think of marrying.

D. Worse and worse! To spend my present on my waiting-maid.— O thy pretension! thy pretension! Think you He really loves you?

Fl. Why not?

Maids. Ay, why not?

D. What hath he ever said to make you think He loves you, Flora?

Fl. He told me very often, Before I’d have him....

D. Ah!

Kate. And that I warrant. He’s not one of your struck-dumb mumbling sort, That haven’t a word.

D. Silence! And tell me, Flora, Something he has said.

Fl. He calls me his little love,—his duck: And says a hundred thousand pretty things As often as we meet.

D. A hundred thousand! His compliments are cheap. Duck, too!

Fl. My lady, ’Tis what men say. It does not mean a duck.

Kate. ’Tis true, my lady; ’tis a common saying.

D. Silence! No one of you dare from this moment To speak to me. You are all alike disgraced. And, that you are not more shamed, disgraced the more. I shall discharge you all.

Kate. What! and Rose too!

D. To-morrow morning. Bút, Flóra, for you I cannot think of punishment sufficient. Merely to have had a lover,—to have concealed it,— To have even admitted him by night,—were nothing, Had the affair been....

Re-enter Sir Gregory up the stairs with Tristram’s hat, holding it up.

G. Found on the stairs,—the intruder’s hat, my lady: He had thrown it on the lamp to extinguish it, And thereby is detected.

R. (aside). Now’s revelation.

D. Why,—but whose hat is this?

Fl. ’Tis his, my lady.

R. Is not this Tristram’s hat?

D. (aside). Hath he come hither in his servant’s clothes?

Fl. It’s Tristram’s hat.

K. At least what’s left of it.

D. Came he disguised?

Fl. ’Twas thus, my lady. As he ran down the stairs, I bade him dout the lamp. I did not mean That he should burn his hat.

D. (aside). What can this be? It can’t have been Tristram.—Answer me, Flora: Was it master Tristram visited you to-night?

Fl. Of course, my lady. I’d not deny it.

D. (aside). I see! After all, only Tristram.—Came he alone? Answer me at once.

Fl. I am much ashamed, my lady, He came alone. And yet, my lady, I swear I never bade him; nor asked him, for that matter. I heard his step, and found him waiting there By the big clock. How he came in I know not.

D. Enough: I shall discover. All leave but Flora.

[Exeunt maids except Fl.

(Aside.) Thank heaven they have not guessed ... and yet how nearly My jealousy betrayed me! (To Fl.) I told you, Flora, I shall discharge you. Tho’I do not doubt Tristram came here without your invitation, Yet in concealing his pretensions from me You have disobeyed,—deceived me.

Fl. I was afraid My lady would forbid him.

D. Silence, girl! Go to your room. I’ll speak of this to-morrow.

Fl. I hope my lady will forgive his boldness. I have told my lady all.

D. Begone! begone! [Exit Fl. (To R.) What think you of this, Ricardo?

R. ’Tis the wrong fox we have hunted.

D. Ah, I think Fox is the word. I half believe that Frederick And Tristram are in league.

R. I guessed the truth When Flora first confessed.

D. I was too hot.

R. You think too ill of Frederick.

D. Nay, Ricardo: Do not defend him. ’Tis enough to shame him That Tristram is his servant.

G. I pray my lady Will now retire.

D. Yes, true, Sir Gregory. ’Tis time, high time. And let this trophy here Be sent to its owner; and to-morrow morning Bid him come speak with me. Tell him, Ricardo. Good-night. [Exit Gregory lighting her out, R.

R. I am now secure of her: since in my presence She hath so consented to disgrace her idol. He is quite dethroned: she knows too that I know. He is past recovery. Could she but have seen him Walking with Laura in the garden, plotting Their flight to-morrow! And I to climb by such A ladder of comedy, tottering with laughter, To love’s very heaven! After three years of pain Three days of farce, disguise, and folly; and then, Suddenly win my joy!

Re-enter Sir Gregory.

And thou, Sir Gregory, Shalt be my major-domo.

G. Eigh!

R. (taking his arm). I say, Sir Gregory, I’ll have you for my major-domo.

[Exeunt.