HELENA. Menelaus never spoke to me like that.
PARIS. 'Tis but the first whisper of my adoration.
HELENA. I can't face him every morning at breakfast for the rest
of my life. That's even more than a Queen can bear.
PARIS. I am waiting to release you.
HELENA. I've stood it for seven years.
PARIS. I've been coming to you since the beginning of time.
HELENA. There is something urging me to go with you, something I
do not understand.
PARIS. Quick! There is but a moment left us. [He takes her
rapturously in his arms. There is a passionate embrace in the
midst of which TSUMU enters.]
TSUMU. The chiropodist has come.
HELENA. Bring me my outer garment and my purse.
[TSUMU exits, her eyes wide on PARIS.
PARIS. Helena! Helena!
[HELENA looks about her and takes up the papyrus that MENELAUS
has flung to the floor.]
HELENA. A last word to the King. [She looks at the papyrus.] No,
this won't do; I shall have to take this with me.
PARIS. What is it?
HELENA. Maskanda's discourse on the hip.
[A trumpet sounds below in the courtyard.]
PARIS [excitedly]. Leave it -- or your hip may cost me my head.
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