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 The Queen.Tell me the whole story. Where did you first meet this man?

Jane.The first time I saw him was—But of what avail is all this? An unfortunate girl of the people, poor and vain, coquettish and foolish, in love with fine garments and outside show, who allows herself to be dazzled by the noble aspect of a great lord. That is the whole story. I am seduced, dishonoured, ruined. I have nothing to add to that. My God! do you not see that every word I say tortures me?

The Queen.'Tis well.

Jane.Oh! your Majesty's wrath is a terrible thing, I know. My head is bent in anticipation of the punishment you have in store for me.

The Queen.I, a punishment for you! Think you that I do give a thought to you, fool? Who are you, wretched creature, that a queen should give a thought to you? No, my interest is with Fabiano. As for you, another than I will take it upon himself to punish you.

Jane.Ah! well, your Majesty, whoever it may be to whom you entrust the duty, and whatever the punishment be, I will submit without complaint, I will even thank you, if you will grant a prayer that I am about to make to you. There is a man who took me, an orphan, in my infancy, who adopted me, brought me up, supported me, loved me, and loves me still; a man of whom I am most unworthy, toward whom I have been very wicked, and whose image is none the less in the depths of my heart, as dear, august and sacred as God's image; a man who, I doubt not, at this hour, finds his house empty and deserted and pillaged, and does not understand it, and is tearing his hair in despair. What I ask your Majesty is that he may never understand