(giving her a paper.
Wait, Madame--you know how to sing without a book.
Countess
I see Mrs. Bramble in the gallery. I must speak with our widow.
Tuneless
Let us sing together, and that will serve as a rehearsal.
(Exit Countess.)
Tuneless (to Maid)
Now you will represent the widow. Carefully imitate the affliction of
widows. Cry with your eyes down in your chin.
Lucy (entering)
Retire. My mistress approaches. She's coming here to cry on the way.
She needs practice.
Tuneless
Exactly. Soon she'll be crying for her money. Real tears then.
Lucy
Don't joke. I'm afraid all this may be dangerous for her.
Tuneless
Why is that?
Lucy
I'm sorry for her. When the Countess guaranteed she was a widow, it
was like a knife thrust in her heart.
Tuneless
What? She felt the blow?
Lucy
Think what she's going to feel when they undeceive her. The loss of
her delightful status of widowhood will cause her to die.
Tuneless
Let's come to the business. Tell me truly, now that she believes her
husband is dead--is she in love with Desmond, and does she plan to
marry him?
Lucy
She thought about it even while she was alive. And I always thought
she prayed the nephew would outlive his uncle.
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