Oil on canvas, approximately 20.5 x 27 inches. Royal Academy of Arts, London.

In Act III, Scene i, of The Two Gentlemen of Verona Proteus tells the Duke of Milan that his daughter is planning to run off with Valentine, thus betraying his best friend. Milan says he knows of the affection of his daughter and Valentine; "This love of theirs myself have often seen, / Haply when they have judged me fast asleep." Elmore imagines the scene Milan describes when Valentine kisses Silvia's hand, mistakenly thinking that the Duke sleeps. The old man sits there, head slumped, feigning sleep, but all the time keeping a watchful eye. Elmore thus depicts a scene we do not actually see on the stage.