Clair de Lune Part 18

[_He makes a motion of departure._]

d.u.c.h.eSS

No, no. [_detaining him with her white arm_] Let him go and discover where she is and if he cannot bring her here, then he shall return and take you to her.

GWYMPLANE

But that will lose time, I must----

d.u.c.h.eSS

Mistakes are so much more disastrous than delay. One can pa.s.s unnoticed where two will be remarked. Trust to my better knowledge of the court.

GWYMPLANE [_reluctantly_]

Very well, Madame. Only speed, Sir, speed, and return to me.

PHEDRO

I will, dear mummer.

[_He exits._]

d.u.c.h.eSS

[_Turning to GWYMPLANE with gracious triteness._]

Ah, what an unexpected delight that I might tell you what pleasure your performance gave.

GWYMPLANE [_standing stiffly attentive_]

Then my work is lavishly rewarded, Madame.

d.u.c.h.eSS

[_In the tone of one who confers by asking a favor._]

Do unmask. It is so very warm in these rooms.

GWYMPLANE

I consider but your comfort, Madame, in wearing my mask.

d.u.c.h.eSS [_smiling subtly_]

Nay, you would be surprised at what considers my comfort and what does not. Your mask, for instance, does not.

[_She sinks upon her chaise longue, intensely graceful and beautiful. GWYMPLANE lets his eyes rest upon her for a moment._]

Your mask, do remove it. I have always heard artists were most gallant to women. See, I remove mine.

GWYMPLANE

[_Stifled with surprise and emotion._]

Madame ... Madame....

d.u.c.h.eSS

Come! I command you to obey me. Pray take off your mask! You can have no idea how I hate mentioning a desire twice.

[_GWYMPLANE removes his mask. The d.u.c.h.eSS looks at him intently and sighs._]

d.u.c.h.eSS

It must be wonderful to be you.

[_She motions him to a black cus.h.i.+on with golden ta.s.sels at the foot of her couch._]

GWYMPLANE

[_Who has by this time mastered himself._]

To be me, Madame? [_bitterly_] But of course your life is a revel of laughter; so why should not your thoughts be forever jesting through your words?

d.u.c.h.eSS

I am not jesting.

GWYMPLANE [_surprised_]

Madame?

d.u.c.h.eSS

It must be wonderful to be you and wind through forests and across hills into new cities with your drummers beating attention for you, through lines of unknown faces, faces over whom you have a rare--a great power. For you can moisten them with tears--choke away their breath with laughter. And afterwards, when you have finished your performance and are walking on the outskirts of some alien city, tell me, do not certain ones steal out to you and tell you of the blasphemous fancies you have stirred awake in their souls?

GWYMPLANE

What are you saying, Madame, what are you not saying!

d.u.c.h.eSS

[_Leaning forward and taking one of his beautiful hands._]

O, Gwymplane, I am lonely. You can have no idea how lonely. Everything around me is so false to my desires, is so alien to what I feel myself to be.

GWYMPLANE