[_Watching him._] What is it? Will: what is it? You wander in and out like one becrazed—The poisoned dart of old Virgil—Eh? Yet surely you won your beauty? SHAKESPEARE: I have not seen her for weeks. JONSON: What have you done? SHAKESPEARE: Herbert said he would speak to her. JONSON: Well? SHAKESPEARE: I have not seen him since. JONSON: Humph! Like consequence, like cause. SHAKESPEARE: No, no! he’s my friend unwearied in kind offices. If you but knew—— JONSON: Then why not find him and solve the riddle? SHAKESPEARE: I will: I must. To-day; now. [_Goes to door and returns._] But if she has changed to me—ah, Ben, hope is something; we mortals live by hope. JONSON: Hope balanced by despair. Have done with the ague-fit, man! SHAKESPEARE: You’re right: I’ll go at once. [_Exit._] JONSON: [_Siting dozen again to write._] So honest Trust has always Cheat for friend. SCENE V. _A Room in Lord William Herbert’s lodgings in London._ HERBERT: [_Unbuckles his belt and gives it with his sword to a gray-haired servant in livery: takes off his cap with its great jewelled brooch and throws it on the table._] Has no one come? BODY-SERVANT: No one, my lord; but there’s a messenger from Wilton inquiring after your health. HERBERT: My health! Another of your tricks, Longman, I’ll be sworn. You must be mad: I’m perfectly well. BODY-SERVANT: Your lordship had a chill last week and Lady Pembroke made me promise—— HERBERT: [_Waives him to silence._] Bah, bah! [_The Servant bows and steps back._] I expect a lady this afternoon; the same who came the other day: you know, tall and dark; bring her to me here, and then you are free to write to my lady mother and tell her I have a tingling ear—the right one—don’t forget. [_The Servant bows and retires backward. Herbert recalls him._] And, Longman, tell the other servants I’m not to be disturbed. [_Exit Servant. Lord Herbert goes over to a mirror and arranges his slight moustache, runs his fingers through his hair, then picks up a sword and makes imaginary passes with it; at length takes up a book, throws himself into a chair and begins to read. A few moments pass; a discreet knock is heard at the door. Miss Fitton enters, Herbert reads on, till she stands before him and puts her hand on his book. He jumps to his feet._] I am sorry, Mary. [_Kissing her._] I did not hear you. I was reading an old love-story, the story of Achilles and the Siege of Troy. Won’t you sit? MISS FITTON: And our love-story is not a month old. A month ago and you would have been waiting at the door for me; but now—— [_Sighs._] HERBERT: I was waiting there to-day; but you are very late, and one cannot play sentinel for ever. Have you heard the news? No! Lady Joan instead of curing Lacy, has caught his trick of speech, and her quaint words and demure air set everyone roaring. MISS FITTON: