[The scene is an apartment in the Campo San Bartolomeo. The walls are
of plaster; the ceiling is frescoed in cheap modern Italian fashion. At
the end of the room is a door leading to AGNES'S bedroom; to the left
is an exit onto a landing, while a nearer door, on the same side,
opens into another room. The furniture and the few objects attached to
the walls are characteristic of a moderate-priced Venetian lodging.
Placed about the room, however, are photographs in pretty fanes and
knick-knacks personal to GERTRUDE, and a travelling-trunk and bag are
also to be seen. The shutters of the two nearer windows are closed; a
broad stream of moonlight, coming through the further window, floods
the upper part of the room.]
[HEPHZIBAH, a grey-haired north-country woman dressed as a lady's maid,
is collecting the knick-knacks and placing them in the travelling bag.
After a moment or two, GERTRUDE enters by the further door.]
GERTRUDE. [At the partly closed door, speaking into the further room.]
I'll come back to you in a little while, Agnes. [Closing the door, and
addressing HEPHZIBAH.] How are you getting on, Heppy?
HEPHZIBAH. A'reet, Miss Gerty. I'm puttin' together a' the sma'
knick-knacks, to lay them wi' the claes i' th' trunks.
GERTRUDE. [Taking some photographs from the table and bringing them to
HEPHZIBAH.] We leave here at a quarter to eight in the morning; not a
minute later.
HEPHZIBAH. Aye. Will there be much to pack for Mistress Cleeve?
GERTRUDE. Nothing at all. Besides her hand-bag, she has only the one
box.
HEPHZIBAH. [Pointing to the trunk.] Nay, nobbut that thing!
GERTRUDE. Yes, nobbut that. I packed that for her at the Palazzo.
HEPHZIBAH. Eh, it won't gi' us ower much trouble to maid Mistress
Cleeve when we get her hame.