FABIANI.

Or that of my mistress, which amounts to the same thing.

GILBERT.

Repeat what you have just said.

FABIANI.

My friend, I say, since you wish to know, that this house belongs to a beautiful girl named Jane, who is my mistress.

GILBERT.

And I tell you, my lord, that you lie! I tell you that you are a liar and an a.s.sa.s.sin! I tell you that you are an insolent knave! I tell you, you have p.r.o.nounced some fatal words which will kill us both--you, for having said them: me, for having heard them.

FABIANI.

Dear me! Who the devil is this man?

GILBERT.

I am Gilbert the engraver. Jane is my betrothed.

FABIANI.

And I am the Chevalier Amyas Pawlet. Jane is my mistress.

GILBERT.

You lie, I tell you! You are Lord Clanbra.s.sil, the Queen"s favorite.

Don"t you think I know that, fool!

FABIANI (_aside_).

Everybody seems to know me to-night. Another dangerous man, whom we must get rid of.

GILBERT.

Tell me instantly that you have lied like a coward, and that Jane is not your mistress!

FABIANI.

Do you know her writing?

[_He takes a note from his pocket._

Read this!

[_Aside, while Gilbert tremblingly unfolds the paper._

If he would go in and quarrel with Jane, it would give my people time to get here.

GILBERT (_reading_).

"I will be alone to-night. You can come." Malediction! My lord, you have dishonored my betrothed, you are an infamous wretch! I demand my revenge.

FABIANI (_putting his hand to his sword_).

Willingly! Where is your sword?

GILBERT.

Oh, fury! To be one of the people! To have nothing--neither sword nor dagger. Well, you can go; but I will wait for you at night, in a corner of the street, and I will stick my nails into your throat, and I will a.s.sa.s.sinate you, you villain!

FABIANI.

Dear me! How violent you are, my friend.

GILBERT.

I will be revenged upon you, my lord!

FABIANI.

You! Revenged upon me? You so low, upon me so high! You are crazy!

I defy you.

GILBERT.

You defy me?

FABIANI.

Yes.

GILBERT.

You shall see.

FABIANI (_aside_).

To-morrow"s sun must not rise for this man. [_Aloud._] Friend, listen to me. Go into your house. I am sorry you found it out, but I leave the beauty to you. Go in.

[_He throws a key down at Gilbert"s feet._

There is a key, if you haven"t got one. Or, if you like it better, you can knock against the shutter three times and Jane will think it is I, and let you in. Good-night. [_He goes off._