Countess [with a cry of anger]. The woodmen. What is this of the woodmen?
Elizabeth. They mocked, and....
Countess. Lord, Lord!... What is to be done now...? You should both be whipped. The woodmen to see you kissing and cozening under the trees? The woodmen? And you a Cavendish! Stay you here till I have told the Lady Lennox. Oh, oh, oh! that I should have such a tale for her....
[At the sound of her voice Lady Lennox, roused, comes down the corridor in her bedgown.]
Countess. My Lady!
Lennox. Mother....
Lady Lennox.... I was affrighted. I thought you wept, my Lady.
Countess. Matter for weeping, in truth. [Points to Elizabeth and Lennox, who stand together.]
Lady Lennox. But ... how? [Sinks into a chair.]
Countess [vehemently].... My Lady, ... these naughty children have carried themselves no better than a pair of turtle-doves; and all in the woods.... And the whole world knows it. My very woodmen ... low fellows ... laughed!... Your son plots to carry my Elizabeth over the Border an if she were a truss of hay! And she, the wretch, too, content to be bundled that way ... any way ... so long as it be on his road! Oh! my Lady, help us all, lest shame fall on my house.