Scene II
Simon Renard, Master Eneas Dulverton
SIMON RENARD.
As you say, it is very extraordinary. But what can you expect? The Queen is crazy. She doesn’t know what she wants. You can’t count upon anything. She is a woman. I would like to know what she is here for. Well! a woman’s heart is a riddle of which King Francis I. wrote the solution on that pane of glass at Chambord—
“A woman’s heart is most capricious;
Who trusts her, finds life not propitious.”
Listen to me, Master Eneas. We are old friends; we must get through with this thing to-day. Everything here depends upon you. If you are ordered—[He whispers to Eneas] be slow about it; let it fall through skillfully. Let me have two clear hours before me to-night, and what I want will be accomplished; to-morrow there will be no favorite. I shall be all-powerful, and you will be baronet and lieutenant of the Tower the day after. Do you understand?
MASTER ENEAS.
I understand.
SIMON RENARD.
Very well. Some one is coming. We must not be seen together. Go out that way. I am going to meet the Queen. [They separate.