Chapter 6

MEGACLES; _afterwards_ MELISSA.

_Megacles._ Well, it is time for the banquet. Somehow, this place improves on acquaintance, after all. Poor, of course, and rude to a degree. But truly the Lady Gycia is fair--as fair, indeed, as if she was the Emperor's daughter. She is a beautiful creature, truly. But give _me_ that delightful lady-in-waiting of hers, the Lady Melissa. What grace! what rounded proportions! I like mature beauty. She is as like the late divine Empress as two peas, and I thought--I dare say I was wrong, but I really thought--I made an impression. Poor things! poor things! They can't help themselves. We courtiers really ought to be very careful not to abuse our power. It is positive cruelty. The contest is too unequal. It makes one inclined sometimes to put on the manners of a clown, so as to give them a chance. Nay, nay, you might as well ask the Ethiopian to change his skin as a courtier his fine manners. By all the saints! here she comes in _propria persona_.

_Enter the_ LADY MELISSA.

_Mel._ Heavens! it is the strange nobleman. I am sure I am all of a flutter.

_Meg._ (_advancing with formal bows_). My lady, I am enchanted (_bows again; then takes several steps to the right, then to the left, and bows_). What a wonderful good fortune! Ever since I had the honour to see you just now, I have only lived in the hope of seeing you again.

_Mel._ (_curtsying_). Oh, my lord, you great courtiers can find little to interest you in our poor little Court and its humble surroundings.

_Meg._ Madam, I beg! not a word! I was just thinking that you exactly resembled the late divine Empress.

_Mel._ Oh, my lord, forbear! The Empress! and I have never been out of Cherson! You flatter me, you flatter me, indeed. That is the way with all you courtiers from Constantinople. Now, if you had said that my Lady Gycia was beautiful----

_Meg._ My dear lady, I do not admire her in the least. She has no manners, really--nothing, at any rate, to attract a man of the great world; a mere undeveloped girl, with all the passion to come. No, no, my good lady, give me a woman who has lived. We courtiers know manners and breeding when we see them, and yours are simply perfect, not to say Imperial.

_Mel._ What a magnificent nature! Well, to say the truth, the Lady Gycia is not at all to my taste. It is a cold, insipid style of beauty, at the best; and she is as self-willed and as straitlaced as a lady abbess. I suppose she is well matched with the Prince Asander?

_Meg._ Well, he is a handsome lad enough, and virtuous, but weak, as youth always is, and pliable. Now, for myself, I am happy to say I am steadfast and firm as a rock.

_Mel._ Ah, my lord, if all women saw with my eyes, there would not be such a run after youth. Give me a mature man, who has seen the world and knows something of life and manners.

_Meg._ What an intelligent creature! Madam, your sentiments do you credit. I beg leave to lay at your feet the assurance of my entire devotion.

_Mel._ Oh, my lord, you are too good! Why, what a dear, condescending creature!--the manners of a Grand Chamberlain and the features of an Apollo!

_Meg._ Permit me to enrol myself among the ranks of your humble slaves and admirers (_kneels and kisses her hand_). But hark! the music, and I must marshal the guests to the banquet. Permit me to marshal you.

[_Exeunt with measured steps._