Clair de Lune Part 23

But I told you before--I wanted a clown, and you talk like the very essence of all these lords and poets. But that is aside--I am to be married tomorrow.

GWYMPLANE

I know,--to him--and you wish him spared the public lash of scandal, I suppose.

d.u.c.h.eSS

He need not be spared it entirely--I do not ask that. You can make plea to the Queen, if you wish, the day after the ceremony--only not tomorrow. Much rests on that for me.

GWYMPLANE

Madame, with the insolence of your cla.s.s, you are asking favours of one whose degradation you have sought and shared.

d.u.c.h.eSS

Perhaps, but you must remember that I am the sister of the Queen and can impose obedience to the most insolent favours I choose to demand.

[_A loud knock from the door leading into the conservatory.

GWYMPLANE starts towards the door. The d.u.c.h.eSS holds him back._]

Truly an eventful hour. [_she raises her voice_]

Ah, what now?

VOICE OF THE QUEEN

I heard you were so indisposed you could not come to me even upon the most urgent matter.

[_The d.u.c.h.eSS signifies with a gesture of fury that she is aware of being fatally played against. In the meantime the QUEEN is putting her own key into the lock. JOSEPHINE turns with supplication to GWYMPLANE, at length too afflicted by the situation to guard her poise._]

d.u.c.h.eSS

You would not talk like a clown. Be----I know you--a gentleman. Save me! Save us!

[_She points to a door._]

In there--a blind closet. Do not attempt to escape or we shall hear you.

GWYMPLANE

[_Bowing low and casting an ironic eye upon the panic of the d.u.c.h.eSS._]

There is at least a peculiar variety in your demands, Madame----

[_The door barely closes upon him as the QUEEN enters continuing her speech._]

QUEEN

Consequently, if you are too ill to attend the Queen, it is but human for the Queen to await anxiously upon you. But, my dear--

[_The d.u.c.h.eSS is biting her lip with ill-concealed rage._]

You do not look ill--you look angry. Have there been disturbing things?

[_She plucks the curtain aside, and lets it drop, but continues looking about her with a.s.sumed carelessness._]

d.u.c.h.eSS

Nothing more disturbing than being continually interrupted--I do not speak of your Majesty's visit--when I wished to remain undisturbed.

QUEEN

How annoying to have one's solitary reveries continually scattered by people hammering at the door. What did they all want? Who were they?

d.u.c.h.eSS

There was Charles.

QUEEN

And after that?

d.u.c.h.eSS

O, various people asking ridiculous questions.

[_She plucks a large bit of heliotrope from the bowl and bites it rather vengefully._]

But, my sister, do confide in me the august matter that can necessitate your being abroad at such an unearthly hour.

QUEEN

There is no one that can overhear us? You have dismissed your servants?

d.u.c.h.eSS

O, hours ago. [_rather insolently_] You may feel quite at your ease with me.

QUEEN

You will forgive my poking about, Josephine? But you are so vague--all artistic and beautiful natures are vague--you might easily have forgotten that Piccolo is hanging about somewhere waiting to carry a last goodnight word to your impatient bridegroom. Why, there is a strange girl sitting at this very moment in your conservatory. Her face was somehow familiar.

d.u.c.h.eSS [_commencing to be rather distracted_]

Ah, yes, a late hamper of my wedding clothes. The girl awaits for me to repay her pains for coming. But, indeed, your Majesty, I would be flattered if you would accept my word that we are alone here.

QUEEN