Wentworth. Wherefore should they not?
Does the King take such measures for himself?
[117]Besides, there's such a dearth of malcontents,
You say!
Lady Carlisle. I said but few dared carp at you.
Wentworth. At me? at us, I hope! The King and I!
He's surely not disposed to let me bear
The fame away from him of these late deeds
In Ireland? I am yet his instrument
Be it for well or ill? He trusts me too!
Lady Carlisle. The King, dear Wentworth, purposes, I said,
To grant you, in the face of all the Court....
Wentworth. All the Court! Evermore the Court about us!
Savile and Holland, Hamilton and Vane
About us,—then the King will grant me—what?
That he for once put these aside and say—
"Tell me your whole mind, Wentworth!"
Lady Carlisle. You professed
You would be calm.
Wentworth. Lucy, and I am calm!
How else shall I do all I come to do,
Broken, as you may see, body and mind,
How shall I serve the King? Time wastes meanwhile,
You have not told me half. His footstep! No.
Quick, then, before I meet him,—I am calm—
Why does the King distrust me?
Lady Carlisle. He does not
Distrust you.
Wentworth. Lucy, you can help me; you
Have even seemed to care for me: one word!
Is it the Queen?
Lady Carlisle. No, not the Queen: the party
That poisons the Queen's ear, Savile and Holland.