Hygd turns to look at the speakers; then, turning back, closes her eyes again and lies as if asleep.
Goneril.
I found the Queen alone. I heard her cry your name.
Gormflaith.
Your anger is not too great, Madam; I grieve
That one so old as Merryn should act thus—
So old and trusted and favoured, and so callous.
Goneril.
The Queen has had no food since yester-night.
Gormflaith.
Madam, that is too monstrous to conceive:
I will seek food—I will prepare it now.
Goneril.
Stay here: and know, if the Queen is left again,
You shall be beaten with two rods at once.
She picks up the cup and goes out by the door beyond the bed.
Gormflaith turns the chair a little away from the bed so that she can watch the far door, and, seating herself, draws a letter from her bosom.
Gormflaith, to herself, reading.
"Open your window when the moon is dead,
And I will come again.
The men say everywhere that you are faithless,
The women say your face is a false face
And your eyes shifty eyes. Ah, but I love you, Gormflaith.
Do not forget your window-latch to-night,
For when the moon is dead the house is still."
Lear again parts the door-curtains at the back, and, seeing Gormflaith, enters. At the first slight rustle of the curtains Gormflaith stealthily slips the letter back into her bosom before turning gradually, a finger to her lips, to see who approaches her.
Lear, leaning over the side of her chair.
Lady, what do you read?
Gormflaith. I read a letter, Sire.
Lear.
A letter—a letter—what read you in a letter?
Gormflaith, taking another letter from her girdle.
Your words to me—my lonely joy your words....
"If you are steady and true as your gaze"—
Lear, tearing the letter from her, crumpling it, and flinging it to the back of the room.
Pest!
You should not carry a king's letters about,
Nor hoard a king's letters.
Gormflaith. No, Sire.
Lear.
Must the King also stand in the presence now?
Gormflaith, rising.
Pardon my troubled mind; you have taken my letter from me.
Lear seats himself and takes Gormflaith's hand.
Gormflaith.
Wait, wait—I might be seen. The Queen may waken yet.