SCENE II.
Palace of the Duke of Genoa.
Enter Ferneze ushering Aurelia, Emilia and Maquerelle bearing up her train, Bianca attending: then exeunt Emilia and Bianca.
Aurel. And is’t possible? Mendoza slight me! possible?
Fer. Possible!
What can be strange in him that’s drank with favour,[387]
Grows insolent with grace?—Speak, Maquerelle, speak.
Maq. To speak feelingly, more, more richly in solid sense than worthless words, give me those jewels of your
ears to receive my enforced duty. As for my part, ’tis well known I can put up[388] anything [Ferneze privately feeds Maquerelle’s hands with jewels during this speech]; can bear patiently with any man: but when I heard he wronged your precious sweetness, I was enforced to take deep offence. ’Tis most certain he loves Emilia with high appetite: and, as she told me (as you know we women impart our secrets one to another), when she repulsed his suit, in that he was possessed with your endeared grace, Mendoza most ingratefully renounced all faith to you. 16
Fer. Nay, called you—Speak, Maquerelle, speak.
Maq. By heaven, witch, dried biscuit; and contested blushlessly he loved you but for a spurt or so.
Fer. For maintenance.