As you say, it is very extraordinary. But what can you expect? The Queen is crazy. She doesn't know what she wants. You can't count upon anything. She is a woman. I would like to know what she is here for. Well! a woman's heart is a riddle of which King Francis I. wrote the solution on that pane of glass at Chambord-- "A woman's heart is most capricious; Who trusts her, finds life not propitious." Listen to me, Master Eneas. We are old friends; we must get through with this thing to-day. Everything here depends upon you. If you are ordered--[_He whispers to Eneas_] be slow about it; let it fall through skillfully. Let me have two clear hours before me to-night, and what I want will be accomplished; to-morrow there will be no favorite. I shall be all-powerful, and you will be baronet and lieutenant of the Tower the day after. Do you understand? MASTER ENEAS. I understand. SIMON RENARD. Very well. Some one is coming. We must not be seen together. Go out that way. I am going to meet the Queen. [_They separate._ SCENE III _A Jailer enters with caution, then ushers in Lady Jane._ THE JAILER. You are where you wished to be, my lady. Here are the doors to the two cells. My recompense, now, if you please. [_Jane unfastens her diamond bracelet and gives it to him._ JANE. There it is. THE JAILER. Thanks. Don't compromise me. [_He goes out._ JANE (_alone_). Kind Heaven! What shall I do? It is I who have destroyed him. I must be the one to save him! I can never do it, never! A woman can do nothing! The scaffold-- The scaffold! Oh, it is horrible! Come, no more tears; let us have action! I never can do it! I never can do it! Have mercy on me, my God! I think some one is coming. Whose voice is that? I recognize it. It is the Queen's voice! Ah, all is lost! [_She hides behind a pillar. The Queen and Simon Renard enter._ SCENE IV _The Queen; Simon Renard; Jane, concealed_ THE QUEEN. Ah, the change surprises you? I am no longer myself? Well, what does that matter to me? It is the truth! I don't want him to die--now! SIMON RENARD. Yet yesterday, your Majesty ordered the execution to take place to-day. THE QUEEN. As I ordered the day before, that the execution should take place yesterday. As I ordered Sunday that the execution should take place Monday. To-day I ordered the execution to take place to-morrow. SIMON RENARD. As a matter of fact, since the second Sunday in Advent, when the decision was pronounced in the Star Chamber, and the two criminals came back to the Tower preceded by the executioner with the ax turned toward them--and that was three weeks ago--every day since then your Majesty has put the matter off until to-morrow. THE QUEEN.