We women are all ape-like in our loves; I catch myself repeating your words like an echo: I wish I had been born a man—Heigh-ho! But there’s another piece of news— HERBERT: What’s that? MISS FITTON: The Queen has heard that Lady Jane Wroth gives her lips too easily: she has locked her up for a month on bread and water. HERBERT: Joan’s rather pretty, don’t you think? with great child-eyes; but shy—who’s the happy man? Essex or Egerton, I’ll be sworn. MISS FITTON: A newer lover, I hear, and one nearer to the Queen’s heart—young William Herbert. HERBERT: I? Never, never. Oh! a kiss in passing—a mere courtesy—— MISS FITTON: You are incorrigible! HERBERT: I am. How can I help it? I can’t love the rose and scorn the lily. Every woman tempts me; but after all Mary is best [_tries to take her in his arms, but she draws away_], for Mary is hardest to win, and I love her—— [_Kisses her._] MISS FITTON: [_Yielding._] What fools we women are! I know you don’t love me; but I cheat myself you do, and the slighter the proof the more I fondle it. What double fools, for when I would be true and brave and free, you lean your head upon my breast, and the mother in me makes me your slave; my blood turns to milk; I am all tenderness and take your desire for love. We are so foolish-fond—wretched creatures! HERBERT: Not much to choose between us: Come, Mary, here are your tables; since you gave them to me I haven’t kept you waiting once: now have I? [_Puts them on the table._] MISS FITTON: No, and twice you have waited for me. If I could be sure you loved me—sure—[_A knock is heard at the door_] Who’s that? HERBERT: I don’t know; I gave orders——[_The knocking is repeated._] MISS FITTON: I must not be found here; where? where—— HERBERT: [_Pointing to the door_, R., _and whispering._] That door will take you out. Come to-morrow at the same time. You will? [_Smiles as Miss Fitton says “Yes” and goes; he returns towards door_, C.; _the knocking is repeated_.] Come in there; come in. [_Shakespeare enters._] Oh, it’s you, is it? SCENE VI. SHAKESPEARE: Unbidden; but not, I hope, unwelcome. HERBERT: No, no. Come in and be seated. I was half asleep, I think. SHAKESPEARE: We have not tasted life together for days and days. HERBERT: ’Tis true; not since my quarrel with Raleigh. How the old limpet clings to place. He has just come to new honours, I hear: she has made him Governor of Jersey. Curse him! SHAKESPEARE: With honour one can always buy honours. HERBERT: [_Laughs._] Yes! the singular is more than the plural. SHAKESPEARE: [_Hesitatingly._] When I last saw you I begged your voice. Did you see her? HERBERT: I did. I wanted to speak to you about it; but it’s not—pleasant. SHAKESPEARE: Not pleasant! HERBERT: I did my best, talked of your talents—all to no effect. Girls are queer monkeys! SHAKESPEARE: No effect! HERBERT: