_G._ (_walks about restlessly_). The man’s as strange as his master. How Diana Can trust her affairs to one so wholly unfit, So unmethodical! And what discomfort The fellow lives in. The room in such disorder: He might be going away for good. Two such 2560 Immense portmanteaux. What’s all that for now? There is something going on that I do not know of.... Tristram’s discharged ... that’s true. (_sees glove on floor; and picks it up mechanically to put it on the table._) A lady’s glove! Yes, ’tis a lady’s; thrown upon the floor. What see I? that embroidery ... ’Tis Laura’s; Laura’s. St. Nicholas hath been here.— No, no. Yet the only other explanation.... It cannot be ... I see it all.... ’Tis true.... Her tears and strange farewell to me this morning: Her treatment of St. Nicholas: and Frederick, Why he mistook the contract ... these portmanteaux.— By heaven, by heaven, there’s no time to lose: They’re off. (_going out, passes close to cupboard. N. makes more noise than ever._) Ha!—Heigh! ’Tis here, then: not in the chimney. Eh!—who’s here? (_Opens cupboard._) St. Nicholas! _N._ O, Sir Gregory, you would not hear. _G._ Who shut you in the cupboard? _N._ Tristram. _G._ Tristram? _N._ _assents._ _G._ And is this Laura’s glove? Look at it. _N._ (_nodding_). It is. _G._ Then tell me: did you bring it here? Could you By any chance have dropped it here? _N._ (_disclaiming by gesture_). I? No, sir. I came to seek for Frederick. _G._ (_to himself_). What can this mean, 2580 Unless to keep his rival out of the way?— Listen, St. Nicholas, I have discovered something Concerns you nearly.—I think—I am sure— Nay: I’ll not tell you what I suspect.... ’Tis but suspicion. But you have been, I fear, Most shamefully beguiled. _N._ Ay, that I was. He said that I should find my settlement In the cupboard. _G._ Patience. I will go to Laura And learn the truth. Meanwhile, seek out the Countess, And beg her give me an interview at once. 2590 I’ll come to the ante-chamber. By heaven, St. Nicholas.... And yet I scarce know.... There’s no time to lose: Come quickly. [_Exeunt._ SCENE · 3 _A room in the Palace._ _DIANA and FREDERICK._ _DIANA._ You say you start at once. _FREDERICK._ The coach is waiting. _D._ Here is my letter: give it to the Duke. The answer is not urgent: it may keep you A day or two at Milan. _F._ You wish, my lady, I should return? _D._ Why not? I understood Your ladyship to accept my resignation. It lies with her convenience but to fix 2600 The day of my dismission.