He. What tale from thy sweet lips could tedious be?
She. I wish you’d get out of that “thy” habit; it’s so irritating. Well, the fact is that all your predecessors died on the evening of our wedding—I mean weddings—and nobody quite knows why.
He. Truly a strange tale. May I have just one more go at the salad?
She. Of course. I’m so glad you like it. Curiously enough, the one before you was very fond of it too; in fact I’ve often wondered——Well, there it is. Now I do hope that nothing is going to happen to you, my dear, because I should so hate to think that you had been put to any inconvenience on my account. Besides, it upsets the servants.
He. Have no fear, beloved. For I too have a secret. I know thy—your—tragic history; a witch has revealed it unto me.
She. You know? Well, I do think you might have told me. I meant it to be a surprise.
He. Further, she has given me a magic charm to protect us both.
She. I say, what’s that mess in the corner? There—on the plate.
He. That is the heart and liver of a fish, my apple.
She. I hope you haven’t brought a cat into the house; father can’t bear them.