_D._ To-night: they meet to-night. It may be now That I am in time: maybe they have never met, At least not thus. It seems they have carried on The intrigue, so far, by letter, and now by letter 590 They have made their assignation for to-night. At last I have found out something ... it shall not be ... Their first ... no, no: that I can hinder.... I trust the clown: he could not frame a tale; And what I gave him won him. Yet no guess Who she should be. It tortures jealousy To know so little: still where little is known May little be. But Frederick doth not feign. Nay if he feigned he would not hide it from me: And loved he not another, he would be 600 More open to my meaning when I try him With such unveilings of my inclination As make me blush alone. O perverse love, At once triumphant and inscrutable, Palpable and impotent. What if he knows I love him, and yet loves me not, but loves Another, a rival? But if he knows not, And if he knew, might love—while there’s that hope, They shall not meet: so much I can ensure. I must be cruel to thee, my unknown foe: 610 Thou lookest to meet him, but he shall not come. I’ll make him play thee false ... what vantage else That he is my servant? I can send him off Whither I will. Against this assignation I’ll make an alibi. My plan is ready: I’ll send him away from Belflor. Here he comes, My enemy and my deity. If he quarrel With my command he is guilty; a word will show. _Re-enter Frederick, with some papers, ink, and pen._ _F._ Your ladyship sent for me. _D._ What have you there? _F._ Some papers for your ladyship to sign. 620 _D._ Set them down on the chair. _F._ I have brought besides The settlement for Lady Laura’s marriage. _D._ Thank you: ’tis time I had it. I cannot now Attend to business. I have a message, Frederick, To send to Milan: it demands despatch, And you must bear it to-night. _F._ To-night, my lady! _D._ To-night. Why not to-night? _F._ No reason at all. Except.... _D._ Except what? _F._ Since your ladyship Well knows the full devotion which I lend To her affairs, I fear not to incur 630 Blame of remissness, if I beg for once To be excused this service. _D._ (_aside_). Ah, he is hit. _F._ I’d travel to the corners of the globe To serve your ladyship: and in a journey So light as this, one that would never burden The most unwilling servant, I can beg Without reproach that you will find for once Another messenger. _D._ What then prevents you? _F._ Good cause enough; though ’tis not of a nature To welcome question.