DIEGO
I await your Grace's orders. Will it please you that I call your maid-of-honour, or summon the gentleman outside? If it so please you, there need be no scandal. I shall give myself up to any one your Grace prefers.
The DUCHESS pays no attention to DIEGO'S last words, and remains reflecting.
DUCHESS
Then, it is he who, as you call it, spurns you? How so? For you are admitted to his close familiarity; nay, you have worked the miracle of curing him. I do not understand the situation. For, Diego,—I know not by what other name to call you—I feel your sorrow is a deep one. You are not the——woman who would despair and call God cruel for a mere lover's quarrel. You love my son; you have cured him,—cured him, do I guess rightly, through your love? But if it be so, what can my son have done to break your heart?
DIEGO
(after listening astonished at the DUCHESS'S unaltered tone of kindness)
Your Grace will understand the matter as much as I can; and I cannot. He does not recognise me, Madam.
DUCHESS
Not recognise you? What do you mean?