DONNA MATILDA. I shall never forget that scene--all our masked faces hideous and terrified gazing at him, at that terrible mask of his face, which was no longer a mask, but madness, madness personified. BELCREDI. He was Henry IV., Henry IV. in person, in a moment of fury. DONNA MATILDA. He'd got into it all the detail and minute preparation of a month's careful study. And it all burned and blazed there in the terrible obsession which lit his face. DOCTOR. Yes, that is quite natural, of course. The momentary obsession of a dilettante became fixed, owing to the fall and the damage to the brain. BELCREDI (_to Frida and Di Nolli_). You see the kind of jokes life can play on us. (_To Di Nolli_): You were four or five years old. (_To Frida_): Your mother imagines you've taken her place there in that portrait; when, at the time, she had not the remotest idea that she would bring you into the world. My hair is already grey; and he--look at him--(_points to portrait_)--ha! A smack on the head, and he never moves again: Henry IV. for ever! DOCTOR (_seeking to draw the attention of the others, looking learned and imposing_).--Well, well, then it comes, we may say, to this.... (_Suddenly the first exit to right, the one nearest footlights, opens, and Berthold enters all excited_). BERTHOLD (_rushing in_). I say! I say! (_Stops for a moment, arrested by the astonishment which his appearance has caused in the others_). FRIDA (_running away terrified_). Oh dear! oh dear! it's he, it's.... DONNA MATILDA (_covering her face with her hands so as not to see_). Is it, is it he? DI NOLLI. No, no, what are you talking about? Be calm! DOCTOR. Who is it then? BELCREDI. One of our masqueraders. DI NOLLI. He is one of the four youths we keep here to help him out in his madness.... BERTHOLD. I beg your pardon, Marquis.... DI NOLLI. Pardon be damned! I gave orders that the doors were to be closed, and that nobody should be allowed to enter. BERTHOLD. Yes, sir, but I can't stand it any longer, and I ask you to let me go away this very minute. DI NOLLI. Oh, you're the new valet, are you? You were supposed to begin this morning, weren't you? BERTHOLD. Yes, sir, and I can't stand it, I can't bear it. DONNA MATILDA (_to Di Nolli excitedly_). What? Then he's not so calm as you said? BERTHOLD (_quickly_).--No, no, my lady, it isn't he; it's my companions. You say "help him out with his madness," Marquis; but they don't do anything of the kind. They're the real madmen. I come here for the first time, and instead of helping me.... (_Landolph and Harold come in from the same door, but hesitate on the threshold_). LANDOLPH. Excuse me? HAROLD. May I come in, my Lord?