Page:CromwellHugo.djvu/246

Cromwell.The chaplain's love was known to you?
Dame Guggligoy [aside.] …plain's love was known to you? Great God!
Cromwell.And you approved it?
Dame Guggligoy. And you approved it? Knew of it, my lord?
Approved it?—I?—My lord, I swear to you—
[Aside.]So he's betrayed me! Ah! the perjured knave!
'Tis plain to see from his affrighted air
That some—
Cromwell. That some—I know all.
Dame Guggligoy [aside.]I had guessed as much.

[A pause.—Dame Guggligoy seems petrified with terror. Frances smilingly watches Rochester as he turns his crestfallen eyes from the maid to the duenna.

Rochester [aside.] Gad! 'tis a transformation unforeseen
And hard to stomach!
Dame Guggligoy [throwing herself at Cromwell's feet.
And hard to stomach! Pardon, good my lord!
Cromwell [turning away.
She plays the prude. [He motions to her to rise.
She plays the prude. Good Master Obededom
Is of our friends, and in his heart has nought
That lacks our sanction.
Dame Guggligoy. That lacks our sanction. May he then aspire
To her he loves?
Cromwell. To her he loves? Whom does he love, I pray,
Who is so far above him? You!
Dame Guggligoy. Who is so far above him? You! What? I?
Cromwell.Yourself. Ask him the question if you will.
[To Rochester.
Is it not true? Speak, sirrah.
Rochester [confused.] …ue? Speak, sirrah. I agree—