_Enter AGATHA._ AGATHA. Ah, Hugo--what, are you laughing at the wild man? I'm sure he frightens me. HUGO. He'd have frightened you more, if you had seen him, as I did, in his own dining room in the forest. AGATHA. Why now, really, had you courage enough to venture there? HUGO. To be sure I had--I went in boldly--by mistake. (_Aside._) AGATHA. When he was out, I suppose? HUGO. O, no; he was there, and wanted me to stay. I took off my cloak to oblige him, and to avoid ceremony, came away without it. Your lady may well be glad that Valentine had power to tame him. AGATHA. Glad! she's more uneasy than ever; and if she hasn't fallen _out_ of _love_ into _jealousy_, I'll give you leave to say that Agatha is no conjuror. HUGO. I'm sure I never said you was one: but who is she jealous of? AGATHA. You shall hear. The Duke of Acquitane has arrived to beg relief against a pagan, they call the Green Knight, who holds his daughter unlawfully a prisoner, and unless, by a certain hour she is rescued, she will be forced to marry this Saracen monster, who has already vanquished and hanged up twenty knights who fought for her. HUGO. Poor fellows! And what is he to have who conquers the pagan? AGATHA. The lady's hand. HUGO. Hanging on one side, and marriage on the other! bless me! Where could they find twenty knights mad enough to undertake such a terrible alternative? AGATHA. Why; your master, Valentine, will go, if it's only for the honour of the thing: and the Princess is distracted lest he should fall in love with the lady, or be killed by the knight. HUGO. And for fear he shou'd once more ask me to bear him company I'll get out of the way as fast as possible. (_Going, meets the PRINCESS._) EGLANTINE. Hugo, where are you going? HUGO. I'm going, madam, to----to unarm my master before the banquet, and fear I shall be too late. EGLANTINE. Hold, sir--Can you be secret? HUGO. Ask Agatha, your grace's hand-maid--she knows I can. AGATHA. I know you are a blockhead. Mark my lady. EGLANTINE. Can you not bring, Sir Valentine's armour to Agatha's apartment? HUGO. Aye, madam, if she be there to receive it--but when, and how long must I-- AGATHA. How rude of you to want to know more than I do--Go, fetch the armour, quick! EGLANTINE. And here's a purse of gold to speed thee. HUGO. I lack no spur but your commands, and a kiss from Agatha. AGATHA. No, no--(_he is going away_) Well, take it. HUGO. Now, why did you say no, no? AGATHA. Why, one must refuse at first for decency. EGLANTINE. Here, Hugo. [_Gives the purse._ HUGO. [_Takes it._] Madam, I'm gone. AGATHA. [_Apart to HUGO._] I thought you didn't want the money. HUGO. One must refuse at first, you know, for decency. [_Exit._ EGLANTINE.