MISS FITTON: One sometimes fears to give—not from penury; but—— HERBERT: You dear! How did you know I love you? MISS FITTON: I do not know it, my lord. Shall we dance? [_They pass, and Sir John Stanley and Lady Jane Wroth come in their turn to the centre._] STANLEY: What do you women see in him? He’s impudent; but good-looking boys are always impudent. I could forgive the Queen for loving Essex; he’s a man, a great Captain, too; but this raw Herbert—pshaw! LADY JANE WROTH: Perhaps it’s his youth pleases her, Sir John. And then he’s marvellous well-featured. [_They pass, Lacy and Lady Joan, after a couple or two pass, return to_ C.] LACY: [_Earnestly._] My speech, lady, shall follow your taste, like my dress. If you prefer plain cloth to murreyed sarsenet, it shall be as you wish, I will speak poor drab. But taffeta phrases have a rich distinction, and silken terms are soothing to the sense. LADY JOAN: I would not have you altered, the gay doublet suits you: the fanciful speech, too. But just a touch of—austerity in ornament—is that how you speak? LACY: Rosebud of maidens, you delight my heart! [_They pass. Lady Cynthia Darrel and a Courtier come to the front._] LADY CYNTHIA: Do you think Mistress Fitton good-looking? A COURTIER: Good-looking, yes; but swarthy. LADY CYNTHIA: Too tall for my taste, and bold. Ha! Ha! If that’s your country innocence, I prefer the town. Those black eyes in that pale face—ugh! Now Herbert is a model, perfect. A COURTIER: He’s very well, and he knows it. [_They pass. Slowly Lord Herbert and Miss Fitton return. The Mistress of Ceremonies orders the cushion dance: the pages arrange the cushions._] MISS FITTON: I know you don’t; too well I know it. HERBERT: I swear I do; put me to the proof. MISS FITTON: What’s the good? HERBERT: All the good; you’ll have the proof, and be convinced, and yield. Try me. MISS FITTON: [_They dance: at the end of the bar, Herbert kneels on a cushion._] How easy it is to gull oneself when one wishes to. If the Queen entered now, my lord, you’d be at her feet in an instant. HERBERT: Not I. Not if you promised to come to me: Will you? [_Miss Fitton kisses his forehead._] MISS FITTON: Do you mean you would stay by me even if she called you? HERBERT: Even if she called, if you promise. MISS FITTON: You would not dare. HERBERT: Dare! indeed; wouldn’t I! [_They dance round, and when their turn comes to kiss, Miss Fitton gives her lips. Immediately afterwards the doors are thrown open and the Queen announced_, R. _Some servants enter backwards; then the Queen moves to throne_, R. C. _The dancers stop; all bow and curtsey._] SCENE VI. THE QUEEN: Let the dance go on! [_The Queen looks round; Herbert and Miss Fitton are standing_ L.C. _The Queen calls_ “Lord Herbert.” _Herbert goes on talking to Miss Fitton as if he did not hear._] MISS FITTON: [_In a loud whisper._] Go, the Queen calls, go. LORD HERBERT.