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 Gilbert.This nobleman has a secret intrigue with a woman whom he cannot marry because she belongs to a proscribed family. This woman, who has lived in hiding hitherto, is the only daughter and heiress of the last Lord Talbot, beheaded under King Henry the Eighth.

The Queen.How now! are you sure of what you say? John Talbot, the true-hearted Catholic nobleman, the loyal defender of my mother of Arragon—he left a daughter, do you say? By my crown, if this be true, that child is my child. And what John Talbot did for the mother of Mary of England, Mary of England will do for John Talbot's daughter.

Gilbert.In that case it will be, doubtless, a pleasure to your Majesty, to restore to Lord Talbot's daughter her father's estates?

The Queen.Ay, of a surety; and to take them from Fabiano!—But are there proofs that this heir exists?

Gilbert.There are proofs.

The Queen.In any event, if we have no proofs we will make them. We are not queen to no avail.

Gilbert.Your Majesty will restore to Lord Talbot's daughter the estates, the title, the rank, the name, the arms, and the motto of her father. Your Majesty will relieve her from the sentence of proscription and will be warrant for her safety. Your Majesty will marry her to this nobleman, who is the only man she can marry. On these conditions, you may dispose of my liberty, my life, and my will at your pleasure.

The Queen.'Tis well. I will do what you have said.

Gilbert.Your Majesty will do what I have said? The Queen of England gives me, Gilbert, the