ISAAC. She chose, herself, a plumèd crown from these,-- It was not gold, but only gilded tin-- One tells it by the weight, worth twenty pence; About her shoulders throws a trained robe And says she is the queen-- (_Speaking back._) Oh yes, thou fool! Then in the ante-chamber next, there hangs A picture of the King, whom God preserve! She takes it from the wall, bears it about, Calling it husband with endearing words, And holds it to her breast. [KING _goes hastily toward the garden house._] GARCERAN. Oh, mighty Sire! ISAAC (_stepping back_). Alas! KING (_standing on the steps, quietly_). That game is worth a nearer look. What's more, 'twill soon be time for you to go; You should not miss the favorable hour. But you, old man, must come. For not alone, Nor unobserved would I approach your children. [_Goes into the house._] ISAAC. Was that the King? Oh, woe! GARCERAN. Proceed within. ISAAC. If he should draw his sword, we all are doomed! GARCERAN. Go in. And as for being afraid, 'tis not For you nor for your daughter that I fear. [_He pushes the hesitating_ ISAAC _into the garden house and follows him._] * * * * * _Room in the pavilion. In the background to the left a door; in the foreground to the right, another door. _RACHEL,_ with a plumed crown on her head and gold embroidered mantle about her shoulders, is trying to drag an armchair from the neighboring room, on the right._ ESTHER _has come in through the principal entrance._ RACHEL. The armchair should stand here, here in the middle. ESTHER. For Heaven's sake, O Rachel, pray look out; Your madness else will bring us all to grief. RACHEL. The King has given this vacant house to us; As long as we inhabit it, it's ours. [_They have dragged the chair to the centre._] RACHEL (_looking at herself_). Now don't you think my train becomes me well? And when I nod, these feathers also nod. I need just one thing more--I'll get it--wait! [_Goes back through the side door._] ESTHER. Oh, were we only far from here, at home! My father, too, comes not, whom she drove off. RACHEL (_comes back with an unframed picture_). The royal image taken from its frame I'll bear it with me. ESTHER. Art thou mad again? How often I have warned thee! RACHEL. Did I heed? ESTHER. By Heaven, no!