[welcoming, emotional] My sister...my dear sister, I thought I'd never see you again. But now...the tyrant is finally dead and my sister has come back to me at last. You have to tell me everything. About the abbey. I heard terrible things about....the punishments....the way they bend people's minds and break their will.

[secret and hushed conversation / talking to someone with whom she's cheating on her husband, impatient] And what? Wait until your father dies? Resigned to sneaking around in my own house...[someone enters, surprising her] Sister! I was just talking...about the king. He should be back by now and I'm dreadfully worried. Let us hope that no ill has befallen him.

[resigned, self-hating, sad] I can no longer live...with the guilt...the shame of what I've done. I will end it all...but first, I must confess. I must tell you all what I have done. And I also need a promise...a promise from you, my son. Swear that you will never lay a finger on your brother.  He's the eldest, and the time has come for him to lead this house now. It is the way of things, as much as you might wish it were otherwise.