Jane.I do not know; but I saw him pass beneath that black veil, and it seems to me that, if it had been Gilbert, something would have stirred within me, something would have risen to revolt in my heart and would have cried out to me: "Gilbert! 'tis Gilbert!" I was conscious of nothing—it was not Gilbert!
The Queen.What are you saying? God's mercy! You are mad, what you say is foolish, and yet it doth terrify me! Ah! you have stirred one of the secret anxieties of my heart. Why did this uprising prevent me from overlooking everything myself? Why did I entrust to others than myself Fabiano's safety? Æneas Dulverton's a traitor. Perchance Simon Renard was there. God grant that I have not been betrayed a second time by Fabiano's foes! God grant that 'tis not, in truth, Fabiano!—Ho! without there! quickly!
[Enter two gaolers. To the first.
Hasten, you! Here is my royal ring. Go bid them delay the execution. To the Old Market! to the Old Market! There is a shorter road, Jane, you say?
Jane.By the river.
The Queen [to the Gaoler.]By the river. A horse. Ride at speed!
[Exit the Gaoler.
[To the Second Gaoler.]Go you instantly to Edward the Confessor's tower. There are the two dungeons of those condemned to death. In one of them there is a man. Bring him to me at once.
[Exit the Gaoler.
Ah! I am a-tremble! My legs give way beneath me, I should not have the strength to go myself. You make me mad like yourself! Wretched girl! you make me unhappy like yourself! I curse you even
