Well, can't you understand what that means, sir? Must I explain everything, and must a woman be forced to show her naked heart to you, because she is a Queen--unfortunate woman that she is--and because you represent the Prince of Spain, her future husband? You don't understand, you men, that with a woman the heart has its chastity as well as the body. Well, then, yes--since you want to know, since you make believe that you don't understand anything--yes, every day I put off Fabiani's execution until to-morrow, because every morning my courage fails me when I think that the bell of the Tower of London will ring out his death-knell; because to think they are sharpening an ax for that man, breaks my heart; because it kills me to think they will nail a coffin over him; because I am a woman, because I am weak, because I am insane, because I love him yet, my God! There! have you got enough? Are you satisfied? Do you understand now? Oh, some day, my lord, I will have my revenge on you, for all these things you have made me tell you! SIMON RENARD. Yet it ought to be about time to get through with this Fabiani! You expect to marry my royal master, the Prince of Spain, madame! THE QUEEN. If the Prince of Spain is not satisfied, let him say so; we will marry somebody else. Suitors are not lacking. The son of the King of the Romans, the Prince of Piedmont, the Infante of Portugal, Cardinal Polus, the King of Denmark, and Lord Courtenay are as good noblemen as he! SIMON RENARD. Lord Courtenay! Lord Courtenay! THE QUEEN. An English baron is worth a Spanish prince, my lord. Besides, Lord Courtenay is descended from the emperors of the East. Oh, get mad if you like! SIMON RENARD. Fabiani has made himself hated by every one in London who has got a heart. THE QUEEN. Except by me! SIMON RENARD. Peasants and lords are united against him, and if he is not executed this very day, as your Majesty has promised-- THE QUEEN. Well! SIMON RENARD. There will be an uprising among the people. THE QUEEN. I've got my lansquenets. SIMON RENARD. There will be a conspiracy among the nobles. THE QUEEN. I have the executioner. SIMON RENARD. Your Majesty swore upon your mother's prayer-book that you would not pardon him. THE QUEEN. Here is a signature in blank which he has sent to me, in which I swear on my imperial crown that I will pardon him! My father's crown is worth as much as my mother's prayer-book. One oath destroys the other. But who says that I will pardon him? SIMON RENARD. He has boldly betrayed you, madame! THE QUEEN.