Who are you?
[Phedro pulls up his mask.]
O, Messire Phedro.
[He bows low and hands him the note.]
Phedro [in a grand voice]
You may leave. I will deliver your note. [then in a low voice for the equerry alone] Wait behind the hedge and I will give you an answer.
[Exit equerry. Gwymplane starts to depart. Phedro puts his arm on his, detaining him, while he opens the letter and reads it. A smile of malicious joy crosses his countenance which he quickly cloaks with a look of alarm. He speaks aside:]
How strange this is! Strange as if a precious bird long waited for in the night were to suddenly fly down and peck at my very gun. However ...
[He returns to himself with a start, walks over to the hedge where the equerry is waiting for the reply.]