Act 3 — Scene V.

A Room in Lord William Herbert’s lodgings in London.

Herbert:

[Unbuckles his belt and gives it with his sword to a gray-haired servant in livery: takes off his cap with its great jewelled brooch and throws it on the table.] Has no one come?

Body-Servant:

No one, my lord; but there’s a messenger from Wilton inquiring after your health.

Herbert:

My health! Another of your tricks, Longman, I’ll be sworn. You must be mad: I’m perfectly well.

Body-Servant:

Your lordship had a chill last week and Lady Pembroke made me promise——

Herbert:

[Waives him to silence.] Bah, bah! [The Servant 116bows and steps back.] I expect a lady this afternoon; the same who came the other day: you know, tall and dark; bring her to me here, and then you are free to write to my lady mother and tell her I have a tingling ear—the right one—don’t forget. [The Servant bows and retires backward. Herbert recalls him.] And, Longman, tell the other servants I’m not to be disturbed. [Exit Servant. Lord Herbert goes over to a mirror and arranges his slight moustache, runs his fingers through his hair, then picks up a sword and makes imaginary passes with it; at length takes up a book, throws himself into a chair and begins to read. A few moments pass; a discreet knock is heard at the door. Miss Fitton enters, Herbert reads on, till she stands before him and puts her hand on his book. He jumps to his feet.] I am sorry, Mary. [Kissing her.] I did not hear you. I was reading an old love-story, the story of Achilles and the Siege of Troy. Won’t you sit?

Miss Fitton:

And our love-story is not a month old. A month ago and you would have been waiting at the door for me; but now—— [Sighs.]

117Herbert:

I was waiting there to-day; but you are very late, and one cannot play sentinel for ever. Have you heard the news? No! Lady Joan instead of curing Lacy, has caught his trick of speech, and her quaint words and demure air set everyone roaring.

Miss Fitton:

We women are all ape-like in our loves; I catch myself repeating your words like an echo: I wish I had been born a man—Heigh-ho! But there’s another piece of news—

Herbert:

What’s that?

Miss Fitton:

The Queen has heard that Lady Jane Wroth gives her lips too easily: she has locked her up for a month on bread and water.

Herbert:

Joan’s rather pretty, don’t you think? with great child-eyes; but shy—who’s the happy man? Essex or Egerton, I’ll be sworn.

118Miss Fitton:

A newer lover, I hear, and one nearer to the Queen’s heart—young William Herbert.

Herbert:

I? Never, never. Oh! a kiss in passing—a mere courtesy——

Miss Fitton:

You are incorrigible!

Herbert:

I am. How can I help it? I can’t love the rose and scorn the lily. Every woman tempts me; but after all Mary is best [tries to take her in his arms, but she draws away], for Mary is hardest to win, and I love her—— [Kisses her.]

Miss Fitton:

[Yielding.] What fools we women are! I know you don’t love me; but I cheat myself you do, and the slighter the proof the more I fondle it. What double fools, for when I would be true and brave and free, you lean your head upon my breast, and the mother in me makes me your slave; my blood turns to milk; I am all tenderness and take your desire for love. We are so foolish-fond—wretched creatures!

119Herbert:

Not much to choose between us: Come, Mary, here are your tables; since you gave them to me I haven’t kept you waiting once: now have I? [Puts them on the table.]

Miss Fitton:

No, and twice you have waited for me. If I could be sure you loved me—sure—[A knock is heard at the door] Who’s that?

Herbert:

I don’t know; I gave orders——[The knocking is repeated.]

Miss Fitton:

I must not be found here; where? where——

Herbert:

[Pointing to the door, R., and whispering.] That door will take you out. Come to-morrow at the same time. You will? [Smiles as Miss Fitton says “Yes” and goes; he returns towards door, C.; the knocking is repeated.] Come in there; come in. [Shakespeare enters.] Oh, it’s you, is it?

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