Clair de Lune Part 32

You are neat in phrases, Josephine, but exactly what do they mean? And please don't sulk--only well-loved people can afford to do that.

d.u.c.h.eSS

If you dare to presume to criticize me, I will----

QUEEN

[_Looks nervously at PRINCE, who interposes quickly._]

PRINCE

My dear Josephine, I could not bear to have you hold me responsible for these grotesque discoveries of last night. Apparently he is my brother, and it should have been me who suffered those terrible deformities save for the mischievous meddling of a malicious servant; but certainly now you are his lawful bride, and I have no other name than one the Queen's mercy can devise.

JOSEPHINE

But your Majesty will do something for us, after all, we love each other!

PRINCE

[_Looks at JOSEPHINE over the edge of his b.u.t.tonhole, into which his nose becomes completely submerged._]

Do you love me this morning, Josephine?

d.u.c.h.eSS

You loved me last night.

PRINCE [_sighing_]

I think there has always been something a little angular in our relations and now that it has become my duty to relinquish you, I rather fancy there is no harm in a.s.suring you it is also my pleasure.

[_A momentary look of pity for JOSEPHINE crosses the QUEEN'S countenance, replaced by an obvious flow of childish joy._]

QUEEN

You have not really cared, but----

PRINCE

Save for--but it is so very early and bright, and we are not alone.

d.u.c.h.eSS

So sorry to be in the way. I shall hope to be dismissed presently. I can hear you are tuning up, Charles. Ah, well, I shall have a clown for a husband. What more should a married woman wish for? And plenty of time to catch the roses and the sighs wafting up from my gardens.

But Charles, where is your little blind girl?

PRINCE

How should I know? She found the Queen and delivered her note.

QUEEN

How did you know she had a note to deliver?

PRINCE

I ran into her with Phedro coming through the garden. He went to see if all was right with Josephine, while I----

d.u.c.h.eSS

Mingled hands, at least, for she said: "He told me that he wanted me for himself and forever, nor was he the Court Steward, for he wore a great oblong stone upon his hand." I hope she comes back with my intended, and tells to your Majesty the story of Charles's little lapse into the romantic. O, listening to her one must believe her, for she has all that obvious lack of fancy only to be found among rarely good people. Her face is quite open and cla.s.sic, unbroken by the slightest hint of imagination. A lie couldn't possibly twist up through such regular lines.

QUEEN

[_Over her face has gradually grown a singular change._]

Mingling hands, ah, that was why--[_she bites her lip, pa.s.sing her hand across her brow._] However, to that later. Josephine--[_in a kinder tone_] I have made you acquainted with our disposition. Go now and prepare to become the d.u.c.h.ess of Vaucluse.

[_JOSEPHINE is about to exit, when PHEDRO enters hurriedly._]

PHEDRO

Your Majesty.

QUEEN

Oh, what an air of rush there is about everything this morning. Well, speak, speak.

PHEDRO

Her Grace cannot become the d.u.c.h.ess of Vaucluse.

QUEEN

Ah, why not?

PHEDRO

He is beyond us.

QUEEN

Do you mean that he has sought for himself, the only satisfactory rest!--a sleep without dreams. He is dead!--How?

PHEDRO

The philosopher and the blind girl escaped with him at dawn; long before sunrise an old, disused hulk was seen going down the river, and in the blaze of this morning has returned with only the philosopher and his hired oarsmen. Apparently the blind girl died from the tremors of escape, and the clown in his grief found nothing left in himself to face life with, so he threw his distressed person into the sea.