Only twenty minutes later, Fabian brought two young page boy's outfits into the drawing room. Following closely behind him was Lady Maria, dressed in delicate blue satin, her brown curls flying around her face, which was red, and her cheeks were puffed. It was obvious she wanted very much to say something. But she waited quietly as Fabian set down the clothing and announced her presence. She stepped into the room, and Fabian shut the door behind himself as he left. The ladies stared at one another for a moment, and then Maria exploded.
"What," she asked, taking a pair of breeches off of the mahogany side table "are these? Why wouldst thou need such things? Hast thou two new page boys? Or is she," she spat, pointing at Viola, "About to cavort around again as though she were playing a young man on the opera stage?"
Viola's countenance and bearing fell instantly as she was wounded by Maria's words. Olivia, however, stood to greet her friend and comfort her. "Now, my lady, thou must needs stay quiet a moment and hear what I have to say, after which, speak as freely as thou likest according to thy station. However, I will not have the Duchess and my sister abused. 'Tis not becoming, and it suits my taste in friendship not at all."
Maria nodded, still seething, and, gritting her teeth rebelliously, sat in the high backed chair opposite Olivia. The Countess explained to her their plan and a mischievous grin spread across Maria's face as she listened. "So, then, you plan to trick your husbands?" she asked slyly. Olivia nodded.
Maria stood and stared into the fire for a moment before saying, "I'm coming with you."
"Oh," Viola said, finally piping up from her corner of the drawing room. "So now thou comest freely to join the opera singers in their cavorting?"
Maria's head gave a penitent dip. "I am sorry, Your Grace, forgive my quick words I spoke in anger. The adventure is indeed well thought out, and a right jolly trick it is too. Sir Toby is with the Duke and Count as well, and I should like to see him at revelry once more. For, since our marriage, my lord has been nowhere but at my side and thus has lately been lonesome for his friends. I would see him smile again. Besides," she added, smiling, "Why should I let you two have all the fun?"
Fabian was called back and ordered to get Maria some clothes. A map of the town was opened, and a route was calculated upon which the ladies could ride, hide their horses, and walk relatively safely into the tavern. As soon as he returned, the three retired to Olivia's chambers where they proceeded to change into their male attire. Viola fit easily into the boys clothing, its sagging fit hiding any sort of womanly figure she possessed. Olivia was a more difficult, requiring wraps of linen to hide her graces, and the hat served not only to cover her dainty head, but it helped hide the bulk of her very long golden hair. Maria looked well, walking with a gait uncommonly like that of the former household manager, Malvolio. She performed a series of swaggers and imitations of the former servant which made her friends giggle.
They snuck quietly out to the stables, mounted their horses, and road off into the moonlit night. The going was easy and undisturbed. Once near the blacksmith's shop, they tied their horses upon tree limbs behind it, and walked briskly through the thick summer night towards the inn. Just before they stepped into the light from the windows, a familiar singing voice came from behind them, halting their progress.
"Lamb desired a wolf to be
And tried to join their number
But when the wolves became aware
They ate the lamb for supper.
O fa-la la la la la lay,
They ate the lamb for supper."