Clair de Lune Part 14

GWYMPLANE

Ah, I see that you enjoy pursuing other people's business; consequently you free me from the necessity of listening to you.

PHEDRO [_a.s.suming anger_]

Come now, don't offend me. After all I am the steward of the Queen's court. It was I who obtained your licence to act in the palace grounds, and so apparently gratify a long-felt ambition of your lovely fellow artiste.

GWYMPLANE [_softened_]

Ah--Dea, yes. She has always dreamed of playing in the palace park.

No, I do not wish to be rude to you, but I beg of you to cease your gossip. My task was harder tonight than usual. I am perhaps overtired.

[_He puts a hand to his head._]

PHEDRO

Come, are you not a man? Is not the admiration of----

GWYMPLANE

Do not talk to me of these things. Do not talk of these things, I beg of you. [_with a suggestion of sob in his voice_] I am not like other men.

[_Unnoticed an equerry enters, and stands at PHEDRO'S side with a large, scented and sealed envelope._]

EQUERRY

Your pardon, sirs.

PHEDRO

[_Going swiftly over to the equerry, and in a low aside._]

For whom is your letter?

EQUERRY [_in a whisper_]

For one Messire Gwymplane.

PHEDRO [_attempts to take the letter_]

I will see he gets it and reads it.

EQUERRY

Who are you?

[_PHEDRO pulls up his mask._]

O, Messire Phedro.

[_He bows low and hands him the note._]

PHEDRO [_in a grand voice_]

You may leave. I will deliver your note. [_then in a low voice for the equerry alone_] Wait behind the hedge and I will give you an answer.

[_Exit equerry. GWYMPLANE starts to depart. PHEDRO puts his arm on his, detaining him, while he opens the letter and reads it. A smile of malicious joy crosses his countenance which he quickly cloaks with a look of alarm. He speaks aside:_]

How strange this is! Strange as if a precious bird long waited for in the night were to suddenly fly down and peck at my very gun.

However ...

[_He returns to himself with a start, walks over to the hedge where the equerry is waiting for the reply._]

Say to her Grace that she is understood, and shall be almost instantly obeyed. [_He turns to GWYMPLANE._]

GWYMPLANE

I beg of you, sir, permit me to depart.

PHEDRO

There is trouble abroad and it concerns you.

GWYMPLANE

Me?

PHEDRO

Still there is probably much time.

GWYMPLANE

Explain.

PHEDRO

What do you call the blind girl?

GWYMPLANE

Dea. It is not anything about Dea? There was not anything about Dea in that letter, was there?

PHEDRO

It was all about her.

GWYMPLANE