Queen
[Reads the letter, her face played upon by expressions varying from incredulity to ironic joy. Turning to Phedro.]
There is no doubt about this?
Phedro [turning a page]
You note your Chancellor's signature.
Queen
[Finishes the letter and stands looking intently ahead of her. She suddenly speaks in a rather strange voice.]
I hate to be trite, but my inner laughter is far too loud to be tamed into wit; so I think I must use the stock phrase, and observe that truth is never so tedious as fiction. [she passes her hand over her brow] Come, clown, you may go, or rather my lord, you have my earnest leave to exchange our presence for the open air, while we sit in judgment over these discoveries. You may take the young lady with you, who apparently cannot see [with a bitter look at Charles] the interest she evokes.
[Gwymplane drags Dea out half fainting, but turns in the door, facing them all.]
Gwymplane