Helena. Stop right there! [Paris stops.] No man but the King can come within ten feet of me. It's a court tradition.
Paris. Necessity knows no tradition. [He falls on his knees before her.] I shall come close to you, though the flame of your beauty consume me.
Helena. You'd better be careful what you say to me. Remember I'm the Queen.
Paris. No man weighs his words who has but a moment to live.
Helena. You said that exactly like an actor. [He leans very close to her.] What are you doing now?
Paris. I am looking into you. You are the clear glass in which I read the secret of the universe.
Helena. The secret of the universe. Ah! Perhaps you could understand me.
Paris. First you must understand yourself.
Helena [instinctively taking up a mirror]. How?
Paris. You must break with all this prose. [With an unconscious gesture he sweeps a tray of toilet articles from the table. Helena emits a little shriek.]