Scene VIII
The same. Master Eneas, a Boatman
MASTER ENEAS.
My Lord Fabiani! My lord, not an instant to lose! The people know the Queen wanted to save your life. There is a revolt of the London populace against you. In a quarter of an hour you will be torn to pieces. My lord, save yourself. Here is a cloak and a cap. Here are the keys. Here is a boatman. Don’t forget that you owe it all to me. My lord, make haste! [Low to Boatman.] Remember, you are not to hurry.
JANE (hastily covers Gilbert with the cloak and cap; low to Joshua).
Heaven! If this man will only not recognize him.
MASTER ENEAS (looking into Gilbert’s face).
What! this is not Lord Clanbrassil. You are not fulfilling the Queen’s orders, my lady. You are helping another to escape.
JANE.
All is lost! I ought to have foreseen this! Ah, sir, it is true! Have mercy—
MASTER ENEAS (low to Jane).
Silence! Go on! I have said nothing! I have seen nothing!
[He goes up stage with an air of indifference.
JANE.
What does he say? Ah, Providence befriends us. Everybody wants to save Gilbert.
JOSHUA.
No, my lady, everybody wants to destroy Fabiani.
[During the entire scene the cries have increased outside.
JANE.
We must hurry, Gilbert. Come quickly.
JOSHUA.
Let him go alone!
JANE.
Leave him!
JOSHUA.
Only for a moment. No woman in the boat, if you want it to arrive safe. It is too light yet; your dress is white. After the peril is over, you will find each other again. Come this way with me. Let him go that way.
JANE.
Joshua is right. Where will I find you, my Gilbert?
GILBERT.
Under the first arch of London Bridge.
JANE.
Good! Go quickly. The tumult increases. Oh, I wish you were safe away!
JOSHUA.
Here are the keys. There are twelve doors to open and shut between here and the water’s edge. It will take you a good quarter of an hour.
JANE.
A quarter of an hour! Twelve doors! That is frightful.
GILBERT (embracing her).
Good-by, Jane! A few more moments of separation and we will rejoin each other for a life-time!
JANE.
For eternity. [To the Boatman.] Sir, I place him in your care!
MASTER ENEAS (low to Boatman).
For fear of accident, don’t hurry.
[Gilbert goes out with the Boatman.
JOSHUA.
He is saved! Now for us! We must shut this cell.
[He shuts the door of Gilbert’s cell.
All right! Come quickly; this way!
[He goes out, with Jane, through the other concealed door.
MASTER ENEAS (alone).
Fabiani remains in the trap. Now, there is a shrewd little woman whom Simon Renard would have paid a good deal for. How will the Queen take all this? Provided the consequences do not fall on my shoulders!
[The Queen and Simon Renard enter with rapid steps. The tumult outside has steadily increased. It is night. Cries of death, torches, lights, sounds of moving masses; the click of arms, shots, the stamping of horses. Several noblemen with daggers in their hands accompany The Queen. Among them are the herald of England, Clarence, bearing the royal banner, and the herald of the Order of the Garter, Jarretiere, bearing the banner of that order.