Duchess

[Always unquestionably upon the right scent of anything damaging to her vanity.]

An oblong stone?

Dea [pausing]

Yes, your Grace, I am sure it was an oblong stone.

Duchess [her face becoming very malicious]

Well, what did he wish of you?

Dea

He said many things to me. He told me how I appeared to him in all things beautiful, and that he wished to steal me away forever from the troop and for himself because he loved me.

Duchess [starts]