He
Yes, every queen. Beauty has her fool. Wisdom, too. Oh, how many fools she has! Her court is overcrowded with enamoured fools, and the sound of slaps does not cease, even through the night. But I never received such a sweet slap as the one given by my little queen. [Someone appears at the door. He notices it, and continues to play, making many faces.] Clown He can have no rival! Who is there who could stand such a deluge of slaps, such a hail-storm of slaps, and not get soaked? [Feigns to cry aloud.] "Have pity on me. I am but a poor fool!"
[Enter two men: an actor, dressed as a bareback rider, and a gentleman from the audience. He is spare, dressed in black, very respectable. He carries his hat in his hand.]
Consuelo
[Laughing, embarrassed]: He, there is someone here. Stop!
He
[Gets up]: Who is it? Who dares to intrude in the castle of my queen?
[HE stops, suddenly. Consuelo, laughing, jumps up and runs away, after a quick glance at the gentleman.]
Consuelo
You cheered me up, He. Good-bye. [At the door] You shall get a note to-morrow.