Countess. Bet, come instantly to your chamber!
Lennox [saluting]. My Lady, she cannot leave me. For so has she promised.
Countess. Lord, Lord! What have you done?
Elizabeth. Lady mother, I ...
Countess. Come in, come in, you sad fools. Every scullion will hear you. [The three meet on the staircase and the Countess motions them austerely into the parlour.]
Countess [to Lennox]. I bid you stay far from Elizabeth.
Elizabeth. Oh, mother, make no more feints. He loves me. If he goes from me ... [Her voice breaks.]
Lennox. My Lady, she will go to the Border with me and into the world.
Countess [with a cry of dismay]. So, so.... “He loves me.”... “I will go over the Border.”... And how shall a poor woman permit such naughty contrivings!
Elizabeth. Mother.... We are not naughty. I did not know he loved me till ... till we spoke of a story.... And then ... it was very sweet, mother ... till the woodmen came.... And I was frightened and ran, and ... Charles bid me come home.... He says the woodman ... [Turns to Lennox for protection.]