So here you crawl at last! I had better keep No maids at all than such a drowsy troop. Not frightened by the fire-bell! You must have Wondrous good consciences. Now, tell me at once— There was a man outside my chamber-door Laughing and talking. Answer at once!—who was it? Who was it was here? 2181 _DOROTHY._ I heard my lady call; But did not think that it could be my lady At such an hour. _D._ Nay: I should be asleep Of course, but I was not. _Enter Gregory and Ricardo_ (L.). My major-domo At last. Come in, Sir Gregory, come: you are wanted. _Sir GREGORY._ I am shocked, your ladyship, at what hath happened: Ricardo hath told me. But there seems no doubt The unknown intruder hath escaped. Be sure You may retire in safety, without fear Of being disturbed again. I will go round 2190 And see that all’s secure. To-morrow morning There shall be full inquiry. _D._ To-morrow? Nay, I do not leave this spot till I know all. I guess who ’tis. _G._ I pray your ladyship Retire. The cold air of the hall, the excitement At such an hour may harm your ladyship. _D._ No. If I die I’ll learn the truth at once. I know else how ’twill be. You’ll go to bed And sleep till noon; and when you wake you’ll say ’Twas all delusion, that I never heard 2200 A man at all. That what Ricardo saw Was but a bush, a shadow, a bat, an owl He frighted from the ivy: and so in the end All will make light of it. _G._ Heigh! Give me a light. The lamp has been extinguished on the stairs. I’ll go and search about. [_Takes a light from one of the maids, and Exit, back._ _R._ (_aside_). I’ll stay and watch. _D._ Now, ye dissemblers, stand forth one by one And answer me. _R._ (_aside_). This will seal Frederick’s fate. She must betray her mean suspicion, and I Witness the degradation of her idol.— 2210 (_The maids are congregated at back,_ R. _as they come out of the passage. They stand forth singly to be questioned, and come in turn to front_, R.) _D._ Dorothy first. Dost thou know, Dorothy, What man it was whose voice I heard up-stairs; Who, when I left my room and gave the alarm, Ran out? _Dor._ I do not know, my lady. _D._ I ask Didst thou not see or hear him? _Dor._ No, my lady. 2215 _D._ Thou wert asleep? _Dor._ I was asleep, my lady. _D._ Then stand aside. Now, Kate. _Dor._ (_aside_). Here’s a fine game! _D._ Sawst thou or heardst thou anything? _KATE._ No, my lady. _D._ Nothing at all? _K._ Nothing at all, my lady. _D._ Wert thou asleep? _K._ I was asleep, my lady. 2220 _D._ Step thou aside. Now, Flora.