FERGUS. — _cheerfully._ — The gods shield you, Deirdre. (_To Conchubor._) We’re late already, and it’s no work the High King to be slipping on stepping-stones and hilly pathways when the floods are rising with the rain. [_He helps Conchubor into his cloak._ CONCHUBOR. — _glad that he has made his decision — to Lavarcham._ — Keep your rules a few days longer, and you’ll be brought down to Emain, you and Deirdre with you. LAVARCHAM. — _obediently._ — Your rules are kept always. CONCHUBOR. The gods shield you. [_He goes out with Fergus. Old Woman bolts door._ LAVARCHAM. — _looking at Deirdre, who has covered her face._ — Wasn’t I saying you’d do it? You’ve brought your marriage a sight nearer not heeding those are wiser than yourself. DEIRDRE. — _with agitation._ — It wasn’t I did it. Will you take me from this place, Lavarcham, and keep me safe in the hills? LAVARCHAM. He’d have us tracked in the half of a day, and then you’d be his queen in spite of you, and I and mine would be destroyed for ever. DEIRDRE. — _terrified with the reality that is before her._ — Are there none can go against Conchubor? LAVARCHAM. Maeve of Connaught only, and those that are her like. DEIRDRE. Would Fergus go against him? LAVARCHAM. He would, maybe, and his temper roused. DEIRDRE. — _in a lower voice with sudden excitement._ — Would Naisi and his brothers? LAVARCHAM. — _impatiently._ — Let you not be dwelling on Naisi and his brothers. . . . In the end of all there is none can go against Conchubor, and it’s folly that we’re talking, for if any went against Conchubor it’s sorrow he’d earn and the shortening of his day of life. [_She turns away, and Deirdre stands up stiff with excitement and goes and looks out of the window._ DEIRDRE. Are the stepping-stones flooding, Lavarcham? Will the night be stormy in the hills? LAVARCHAM. — _looking at her curiously._ — The stepping-stones are flooding, surely, and the night will be the worst, I’m thinking, we’ve seen these years gone by. DEIRDRE. — _tearing open the press and pulling out clothes and tapestries._ — Lay these mats and hangings by the windows, and at the tables for our feet, and take out the skillets of silver, and the golden cups we have, and our two flasks of wine. LAVARCHAM. What ails you? DEIRDRE. — _gathering up a dress._ — Lay them out quickly, Lavarcham, we’ve no call dawdling this night. Lay them out quickly; I’m going into the room to put on the rich dresses and jewels have been sent from Emain. LAVARCHAM. Putting on dresses at this hour, and it dark and drenching with the weight of rain! Are you away in your head?