_Meg._'Tis full of them! I mean--ah, we have jails, But foes like these are wary, slip all watch,-- Flee and dart back, our weariness their charter To tread with havoc's hoof. If I could find Rejan LeVal, then might I rest from guard, But not while he--unla.s.soed warrigal!-- May canter from his thicket and paw up Peonia's fields!

_Her._ I'll lend an adjutant.

Ask Chartrien, who knows each foggy nook And smirched corner of the capital,-- Having once made his pastime serve a quest For such drab knowledge,--ask him help you find This traitor.

_Meg._ Chartrien! Nay, the fox is safe When th' hound too wears a brush.

_Her._ You mean the prince?

Speak, sir! Who hints me calumny, Shall make the drum his chorus. I'll hear all.

_Meg._ A rumor drifts through Goldusan....

_Her._ Is that An oddity? Here rumors are too thick For ears to gather them.

_Meg._ But this--O, princess....

Fairest of earth, forgive me that I speak!

_Her._ You do not speak. And that I'll not forgive.

_Meg._ Ah, then,--but first,--is Chartrien near the king?

_Her._ No nearer than his heart.

_Meg._ I do offend.

_Her._ Offence now lies in silence. Speak, my lord.

_Meg._ When I left Goldusan, 'twas said--and with No m.u.f.fled hesitance--Prince Chartrien aids The rebels there, and lays a train to rend The State apart, that Cordiaz may drop Into the gap,--then he with plausive cleat Will make the fissure stanch, and seat himself In unoppugned power.

_Her._ Why _he is Hob_! [_Silence. They both rise_]

A mad and sorry tale, you see.

_Meg._ I see.

He's in the capital?

_Her._ Beneath this roof.

The palace is his home. My father holds His meagre millions guarded, nursing them To a prince's portion.

_Meg._ We shall meet?

_Her._ To-night.

He's with a friend--a Spanish gentleman,-- But _not_ from Goldusan.

_Meg._ I made no guess.

_Her._ Deny that with your eyes. Your tongue's exempt.

_Meg._ And may I meet the Spanish gentleman?

_Her._ That's as he chooses. I may not command him.

[_Re-enter Count Dorkinski_]

_Dor._ His Highness, sir, is pleased to bid you join him.

_Meg._ His pleasure is his marshal. [_To Hernda, softly_] I've your leave To love your father. That I go from you To him, is Heaven's proof I do.

[_Exit Megario and the Count_]

_Her._ The proof I seek, and would not find, is locked in h.e.l.l, Not Heaven. Megario lied. Oh, Chartrien!

[_Retreats slowly into grove and pauses out of sight, rear. Enter, upper left, Chartrien and LeVal_]

_LeV._ No,----

_Cha._ Prudence, dear LeVal!

_LeV._ I shall go mad Shut in this gilded den,--this stifling hold Of banditry.

_Cha._ Peace, friend!

_LeV._ I'd rather crouch With brats of grime upon an unswept hearth And claw my bread from cinders, than draw breath In this gold-raftered house of blood!

_Cha._ Come, come!

Your wits fly naked, stripped of every caution, And beat suspicion up that else might keep Untroubled bed. Whist! We must move rose-shod Through these next hours, not clack in pa.s.sion's clogs.

_LeV._ I'll out of this! There's surge in me no fear Can put in bonds.

_Cha._ Nay, here and here alone Your life is safe. The hounds of Goldusan Sniff through the cellars. They'll not scent you in The royal shadow. That's more brilliancy Than ever lit a rush in houndom. This My home, I share with you, for mine it is Till I've secured my gold from Hudibrand.

_LeV._ Ay, but Megario! While he's here these walls Pen me in fire.

_Cha._ His visit is too brief To be a danger.

_LeV._ Danger! To me, or him?

If we should meet, his fate as mine would be In that encounter. These are hands would see to 't!

_Cha._ LeVal, forget----

_LeV._ Forget Celeste? My wife?

Forget she died of blows while he stood by And smiled, because _she was my wife_!

Oh, G.o.d! Breathe air with him while this arm hangs A limp discretion!

_Cha._ Peace! This mood unpent Will wreck us. Keep your room if it must swell.

The princess gazes yonder, and your face Is badged exposal. Go. I'll meet her question.

'Twill not fash honor if a lie or two Must be our guard.

[_Exit LeVal upper left. Hernda emerges from grove. Chartrien waits for her as she comes circuitously, lightly hovering and hesitating_]