deficiencies too keenly to presume so far. If you will kindly
allow me, I will sit at the feet of Gamaliel. (He takes the
chair at the end of the table next the door, and motions Swindon
to the chair of state, waiting for him to be seated before
sitting himself.)

SWINDON (greatly annoyed). As you please, sir. I am only trying
to do my duty under excessively trying circumstances. (He takes
his place in the chair of state.)

Burgoyne, relaxing his studied demeanor for the moment, sits down
and begins to read the report with knitted brows and careworn
looks, reflecting on his desperate situation and Swindon's
uselessness. Richard is brought in. Judith walks beside him. Two
soldiers precede and two follow him, with the sergeant in
command. They cross the room to the wall opposite the door; but
when Richard has just passed before the chair of state the
sergeant stops him with a touch on the arm, and posts himself
behind him, at his elbow. Judith stands timidly at the wall. The
four soldiers place themselves in a squad near her.

BURGOYNE (looking up and seeing Judith). Who is that woman?

SERGEANT. Prisoner's wife, sir.

SWINDON (nervously). She begged me to allow her to be present;
and I thought--

BURGOYNE (completing the sentence for him ironically). You
thought it would be a pleasure for her. Quite so, quite so.