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Well, we don't seem any nearer knowing the truth.
[_Enter two ladies in a state of great excitement._]
1ST LADY
What could you have possibly expected? I suppose the marriage is off.
Josephine could never be interested in anything, and as for the Prince----
2D LADY
His self-interest would push anything else out of him.
1ST LADY
Of course, if it _is_ off, Josephine must have made him appear unbecoming and _she_ probably brought all the candles in the palace to help illuminate Josephine's mistake. Phew! they are all quite dreadful.
1ST COURTIER
s.h.!.+ It is unwise to be so indiscreet, even in a crisis. Remember, we have to face each other, and all of these others every day for years.
Perhaps the memory of your candour will make you feel a little ridiculous later.
[_Hand bell tinkles._]
1ST LADY
The Queen's bell.
[_She goes to a door on right and timidly knocks._]
THE QUEEN'S VOICE [_off stage_]
Is the d.u.c.h.ess attending me yet?
1ST LADY
No, Majesty.
QUEEN
Have me informed immediately upon her arrival. Until then, I wish you would discuss your absorbing trifles in a lower tone. My room is exactly like a sounding board for your idle conversation. However, I tell you all this with a recurring regularity that none of the rest of my life seems to possess.
1ST LADY
Your Majesty is obeyed, and our most humble apologies to your Majesty.
[_She closes the door softly._]
QUEEN
You haven't shut the door. You haven't shut it tight. Oh, for Heaven's sake, slam it!
[_The court lady bangs the door with discretion._]
1ST COURTIER [_whispering_]
What a humour she is in! What a woman of moods!
2D COURTIER
She is illusive. She is like a succession of masks, seen at dawn. In her there always appears a terrible wanness, right upon the heels of a wonderful freshness.
3D COURTIER
I don't wish to seem unpleasant, but I wonder if you could talk a little less or say something.
2D COURTIER [_regarding him witheringly_]
I should advise you to go off by yourself and drink some _fleur d'oranger_ and bathe your temples in _eau de cologne_. Isolation is the only resolution for such ill-humour.
1ST LADY
Wasn't the d.u.c.h.ess radiant last night? If the marriage is not off I hear she will give a dance, a very small one, to celebrate the first month of her marriage.
[_Suddenly she looks rather uncomfortable._]
2D LADY
Ah, you are wondering, shall we be invited, considering we are the Queen's favourite ladies?
1ST COURTIER
If everything is all right, when the d.u.c.h.ess comes let us think of something especially charming to say to her. Something that will hint, without a.s.serting, our warmer attachment. [_both ladies nod their approval_] s.h.!.+ Here's Phedro.
PHEDRO
[_Enters, looking for the first time during the play as if a ghost had sucked his blood._]
Is the Queen up?
1ST COURTIER
She is awake, but wishes to remain undisturbed until the d.u.c.h.ess arrives.
PHEDRO
Ah, then I shall go and polish my bullet a little more officially.
[_They all stare at him in amazement._]
