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of the letter from him, and picking up a piece or two from the floor, which he puts together hastily on a table near the front of the stage.) I can't make it piece any way.

Page. So much the better, my Lord: don't try to do it.

Vald. It is Nina's hand, I see, but I can make no sense of it;—Aye, now it will do, (reading ) "I have been terrified with a dream, and fear I shall see you no more." But where is the dream; it is torn off; give it me.

Page. I have it not.

Vald. Thou liest! give it me, I say.

Page. Lud have mercy! as I tore it off just now, your black spaniel ran away it.

Vald. No, varlet! that is a sham; go find it; thou knowest where it is well enough.

Page. Indeed, my Lord, if it is not in the black spaniel's custody, it is no where else that I know of.

Vald. (reading again.) I fear I shall see you no more! But it may be her own death as well as mine, that her dream has foretold; and therefore she may see me no more.

Page. Very true, you had better think so; though it does not often happen that a woman is killed at a siege.

Vald. At a siege!

Page. Pest take this hasty tongue of mine; I could bite it off for the tricks it plays me.

Vald. At a siege!

Page. O, never mind it. Sir. It may be some