Phedro [assuming anger]
Come now, don't offend me. After all I am the steward of the Queen's court. It was I who obtained your licence to act in the palace grounds, and so apparently gratify a long-felt ambition of your lovely fellow artiste.
Gwymplane [softened]
Ah—Dea, yes. She has always dreamed of playing in the palace park. No, I do not wish to be rude to you, but I beg of you to cease your gossip. My task was harder tonight than usual. I am perhaps overtired.
[He puts a hand to his head.]
Phedro
Come, are you not a man? Is not the admiration of——
Gwymplane
Do not talk to me of these things. Do not talk of these things, I beg of you. [with a suggestion of sob in his voice] I am not like other men.
[Unnoticed an equerry enters, and stands at Phedro's side with a large, scented and sealed envelope.]