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[She violently draws aside the white hangings, revealing a balcony, and beyond the balcony, as far as the eye can see, the whole city of London magnificently illuminated against the background of darkness. What can be seen of the Tower of London is illuminated, also. Jane gazes in amazement at this dazzling spectacle, the reflection of which lights up the stage.

Oh! city of abomination! rebellions city! accurst city! inhuman city which drenches its festal robes in blood and holds the torch for the headsman. You are afraid of it, Jane, are you not? Does it not seem to you as to me that it has of late flouted us two in cowardly fashion, and that it looks at us with its innumerable flaring eyes—poor abandoned women that we are, lost and alone in this sepulchre? Do you hear it laughing and howling, Jane—the horrible city? Oh! England, England to him who shall destroy London! Oh! how I would rejoice to see these torches change to firebrands, these lights to flames, and this illuminated city to a burning city!

[A deafening uproar arises without. Applause, and confused shouts:—"There he is! Death to Fabiani!"—The great bell of the Tower begins to ring. At the sound The Queen laughs—a terrible laugh.

Jane.Merciful Heaven! the unhappy man is going forth.—You laugh.—

The Queen.Yes, I laugh.

[She laughs.

Yes, and you will laugh too in a moment!—But first of all I must close these hangings. It seems to me that we are not alone, and that that horrible city sees us and hears us.

[She draws the white curtain and returns to Jane.