In three days--at the longest--for Cassio;--but Iago understood, and did it that very night. And swift means of death for the fair devil were in Othello's own _hands_--ay--he smothered her that night to a dead certainty--a dead certainty at last--though his hands seem to have faltered. NORTH. In the next Scene--Scene IV.--we find Desdemona anxious about the loss of the handkerchief, but still totally unapprehensive of the Moor's jealousy-- "Who--he? I think the sun, where he was born, Drew all such humours from him." Othello enters, saying, "Well, my good Lady,"--and mutters aside, "Oh! hardness to dissemble"--and very ill he does dissemble, for he leaves Desdemona and Emilia amazed at his mad deportment, the latter exclaiming--"Is not this man jealous?" Iago had told Othello of Cassio's possessing the handkerchief in the previous Scene, and Othello takes the first opportunity, _that same afternoon_, to ascertain for himself whether she had parted with it. Would he have let an hour elapse before making the inquiry? Can it be for a moment imagined that he passed days and nights with Desdemona without attempting to sound her regarding this most pregnant proof of her guilt? This Scene concludes the Third Act--_and the time is not long after dinner_. TALBOYS. All this being _proved_, it is unnecessary to scrutinise the consecution of the Scenes of Acts Fourth and Fifth--_Iago's work is done--one day_ has sufficed--and what folly to bring in long time after this--when his presence would have been unsupportable--had it not been impossible. Death must follow doom. NORTH. _Death must follow doom._ In these four words you have settled the question of time. Long time seemed necessary to change Othello into a murderer--and all the world but you and I believe that long time there was; but you and I know better--and have demonstrated short time--for at the end of the "dreadful Third Act" Othello is a murderer--and what matters it now _when_ he really seized the pillow to smother her, or unsheathed the knife? TALBOYS. It matters not a jot. But he did the deed that same night--or he had not been Othello. NORTH. There again--_or he "had not been Othello."_ In these four words, you have settled the question of time--now and for ever. TALBOYS. It would be a waste of words, sir, to seek to prove by the consecution of the Scenes in Acts Fourth and Fifth--though nothing could be easier--that he _did_ murder her that very night. NORTH.