SCENE III
Marion, Didier, Saverny
SAVERNY (jumping into the room, sword in hand).
Upon my soul! 'Tis a strange chivalry
To save my life and push me from the door!
The door—that is to say, the window! No,
They shall not say one of my family
Was bravely rescued by a nobleman
And did not in return say "Marquis—" Pray,
What is your name?
DIDIER.
Didier.
SAVERNY.
Didier—of what?
DIDIER.
Didier, of nothing! People kill you, and
I help you—that is all! Now go!
SAVERNY.
Indeed!
That's your way, is it? Why not have let
Those traitors kill me? 'Twould have pleased me more.
For without you I'd be a dead man now.
Six thieves against me! Dead! Of course! What else?
Six daggers against one thin sword—
[Perceiving Marion, who has been trying to avoid him.
Oh, ho!
You're not alone! At last I understand!
I'm robbing you of pleasure. Pardon me!
[Aside.] I'd like to see the lady!
[Approaches Marion, who is trembling: he recognizes her.
It is you!
[Indicating Didier.
Then he's the one!
MARION (low).
Hush! You will ruin all!
SAVERNY (bowing).
Madame!
MARION (low).
I love for the first time!
DIDIER (aside).
'Sdeath!
That man is looking at her with bold eyes.
[He overturns the lamp with a blow.
SAVERNY.
You put the lamp out, sir?
DIDIER.
It would be wise
For us to leave together, and at once.
SAVERNY.
So be it, then! I follow you!
[To Marion, whom he salutes profoundly.
Madame,
Farewell!
DIDIER (aside).
What a rare coxcomb!
[Aloud to Saverny.] Come, sir, come!
SAVERNY.
You're brusk, but I'm in debt to you for life.
If ever you should need fraternal friendship,
Count upon me, Marquis de Saverny,
Paris, Hôtel de Nesle.
DIDIER.
Enough, sir! Come!
[Aside.] To see her thus examined by a fool!
[They go out by the balcony. The voice of Didier is heard outside.
Your road lies that way. Mine lies here!
SCENE IV
Marion, Dame Rose
MARION (remains absorbed a moment, then calls).
Dame Rose!
[Dame Rose appears. Marion points to the window.
Go shut it!
[Dame Rose, having shut the window, turns and sees Marion wiping away a tear.
DAME ROSE (aside).
She is weeping!
[Aloud.] It is time
To sleep, madame!
MARION.
Yes, time for you—you people.
[Undoing her hair.
Come, help me to undress!
DAME ROSE (helping her to undress).
The gentleman
To-night was pleasant. Is he rich?
MARION.
Not rich.
DAME ROSE.
But gallant.
MARION.
No, nor gallant.
[Turning to Dame Rose.
He did not
So much as kiss my hand!
DAME ROSE.
What use is he?
MARION (pensive).
I love him!
ACT II
THE ENCOUNTER
Scene.—Blois. The door of a public-house. A square. In the background the city of Blois is visible in the form of an amphitheater, also the towers of St. Nicholas upon the hill, which is covered with houses
SCENE I
Count de Gassé, Marquis de Brichanteau, Viscount de Bouchavannes, Chevalier de Rochebaron. They are seated at tables in front of the door: some are smoking, the others are throwing dice and drinking. Afterward Chevalier de Montpesat, Count de Villac; afterward L'Angely; afterward The Town-Crier and The Populace
BRICHANTEAU (rising, to Gassé, who enters).
Gassé! [They shake hands.
You are come to join
The regiment at Blois: our compliments
Upon your burial. [Examining his clothes.
Ah!
GASSÉ.
It is the style—
This orange with blue ribbons.
[Folding his arms and curling his mustache.
You must know
That Blois is forty miles from Paris!
BRICHANTEAU.
Yes,
It's China!
GASSÉ.
That makes womankind rebel:
To follow us they must exile themselves.
BOUCHAVANNES (turning from the game).
You come from Paris?
ROCHEBARON (taking out his pipe).
Is there any news?
GASSÉ (bowing).
No, nothing. Corneille still upsets all heads.
Guiche has obtained the order; Ast is duke.
Of trifles, plenty—thirty Huguenots
Were hung; a quantity of duels. On
The third, D'Angennes fought Arquien on account
Of wearing point of Genoa; the tenth,
Lavardie had a rendezvous with Pons,
Because he'd taken Sourdis' wife from him.
Sourdis and D'Ailly met about a creature
In the theater Mondori. On the ninth,
Lachâtre fought with Nogent because he wrote
Three rhymes of Colletet's badly; Margaillan
With Gorde, about the time of day; D'Humière
With Gondi on the way to walk in church;
And all the Brissacs 'gainst all the Soubises
For some bet on a horse against a dog.
Then Caussade and Latournelle fought for nothing—
Merely for fun: Caussade killed Latournelle.
BRICHANTEAU.
Gay Paris! Duels have begun again.
GASSÉ.
It is the fashion!
BRICHANTEAU.
Feasts and love and fighting!
There is the only place to live!
[Yawning.] All one
Can do here is to die of weariness.
[To Gassé.] You say Caussade killed Latournelle?
GASSÉ.
He did,
With a good gash!
[Examining Rochebaron's sleeves.
What's that you wear, my friend?
Those trimmings are not fashionable now.
What! cords and buttons? Nothing could be worse.
You must have bows and ribbons.
BRICHANTEAU.
Pray repeat
The list of duels. How about the King?
What does he say?
GASSÉ.
The Cardinal's enraged
And means to stop it.
BOUCHAVANNES.
Any news from camp?
GASSÉ.
I think we captured Figuère by surprise—
Or else we lost it.
[Reflecting.] Yes, that's it. 'Tis lost!
They took it from us.
ROCHEBARON.
Ah! What said the King?
GASSÉ.
The Cardinal is most dissatisfied.
BRICHANTEAU.
How is the Court? I hope the King is well.
GASSÉ.
Alas! the Cardinal has fever and
The gout, and goes out only in a litter.
BRICHANTEAU.
Queer! We talk King, you answer Cardinal!
GASSÉ.
It is the fashion!
BOUCHAVANNES.
So there's nothing new!
GASSÉ.
Did I say so? There's been a miracle,
A prodigy, which has amazed all Paris
For two months past; the flight, the disappearance—
BRICHANTEAU.
Go on! Of whom?
GASSÉ.
Of Marion de Lorme,
The fairest of the fair!
BRICHANTEAU (with an air of mystery).
Here's news for you.
She's here!
GASSÉ.
At Blois?
BRICHANTEAU.
Incognito!
GASSÉ.
What! she?
In this place? Oh, you must be jesting, sir!
Fair Marion, who sets the fashions! Bah!
This Blois is the antipodes of Paris.
Observe! How ugly, old, ungainly, 'tis!
Even those towers—
[Indicating the towers of St. Nicholas.
Uncouth and countrified!
ROCHEBARON.
That's true.
BRICHANTEAU.
Won't you believe Saverny when
He says he saw her, hidden somewhere with
A lover, and this lover saved his life
When thieves attacked him in the street at night?—
Good thieves, who took his purse for charity,
And just desired his watch to know the time.
GASSÉ.
You tell me wonders!
ROCHEBARON (to Brichanteau).
Are you sure of it?
BRICHANTEAU.
As sure as that I have six silver bezants
Upon a field of azure. Saverny
Has no desire, at present, but to find
This man.
BOUCHAVANNES.
He ought to find him at her house.
BRICHANTEAU.
She's changed her name and lodging, and all trace
Of her is lost.
[Marion and Didier cross the back of the stage slowly without being noticed by the talkers; they enter a small door in one of the houses on the side.
GASSÉ.
To have to come to Blois
To find our Marion, a provincial!
[Enter Count de Villac and Chevalier de Montpesat, disputing loudly.
VILLAC.
No!
I tell you no!
MONTPESAT.
And I—I tell you, yes!
VILLAC.
Corneille is bad!
MONTPESAT.
To treat Corneille like that—
The author of "The Cid" and of "Melite."
VILLAC.
"Melite"? Well, I will grant you that is good;
But he degenerated after that,
As they all do. I'll do the best I can
To satisfy you: talk about "Melite,"
"The Gallery of the Palace," but "The Cid!"
What is it, pray?
GASSÉ (to Montpesat).
You are conservative.
MONTPESAT.
"The Cid" is good!
VILLAC.
I tell you it is bad!
Your "Cid"—why Scudéry can crush it with
A touch! Look at the style! It deals with things
Extraordinary; has a vulgar tone;
Describes things plainly by their common names;
Besides, it is obscene, against the law!
"The Cid" has not the right to wed Chimène!
Now have you read Pyramus, Bradamante?
When Corneille writes such tragedies, I'll read!
ROCHEBARON (to Montpesat).
"The Great and Last Soliman" of Mairet,
You must read that: that is fine tragedy!
But for your "Cid."
VILLAC.
What self-conceit he has!
Does he not think he equals Boisrobert,
Mairet, Gombault, Serisay, Chapelain,
Bautru, Desmarets, Malleville, Faret,
Cherisy, Gomberville, Colletet, Giry,
Duryer—indeed, all the Academy?
BRICHANTEAU (laughing compassionately and shrugging his shoulders).
Good!
VILLAC.
Then the gentleman deigns to create!
Create! Faith! after Garnier, Theophile,
And Hardy! Oh, the coxcomb! To create!
An easy thing! As if the famous minds
Had left behind them any unused thing.
On that point Chapelain rebukes him well!
ROCHEBARON.
Corneille's a peasant!
BOUCHAVANNES.
Yet, Monsieur Godeau,
Bishop of Grasse, says he's a man of wit.
MONTPESAT.
Much wit!
VILLAC.
If he would write some other way—
Would follow Aristotle and good style.
GASSÉ.
Come, gentlemen, make peace. One thing is sure,
Corneille is now the fashion: takes the place
Of Garnier, just as in our day felt hats
Have replaced velvet mortiers.
MONTPESAT.
For Corneille
I am, and for felt hats!
GASSÉ (to Montpesat).
You are too rash!
[To Villac.] Garnier is very fine. I'm neutral; but
Corneille has also his good points.
VILLAC.
Agreed!
ROCHEBARON.
Agreed! He is a witty fellow and
I like him!
BRICHANTEAU.
He has no nobility!
ROCHEBARON.
A name so commonplace offends the ear.
BOUCHAVANNES.
A family of petty lawyers, who
Have gnawed at ducats 'til they obtained sous.
[L'Angely enters, seats himself at a table alone, and in silence. He is dressed in black velvet with gold trimming.
VILLAC.
Well, if the public like his rhapsodies
The day of tragic-comedy is past.
I swear to you the theater is doomed.
It is because this Richelieu—
GASSÉ (looking across at L'Angely).
Say, lordship,
Or else speak lower.
BRICHANTEAU.
Hell take this eminence!
Is't not enough to manage everything?
To rule our soldiers, finances, and us,
Without controlling our poor language too?
BOUCHAVANNES.
Down with this Richelieu, who flatters, kills:
Man of the red hand and the scarlet robe!
ROCHEBARON.
Of what use is the King?
BRICHANTEAU.
In darkness, we—
That is the people—march: eyes on a torch.
He is the torch: the King's the lantern which
In its bright glass protects the flame from wind.
BOUCHAVANNES.
Oh, could our swords blow such a wind some day
As to extinguish this devouring fire!
ROCHEBARON.
If every one had the same mind as I!
BRICHANTEAU.
We would unite—
[To Bouchavannes.] What do you think, Viscount?
BOUCHAVANNES.
We'd give him one perfidious, useful blow!
L'ANGELY (rising, with gloomy tone).
Conspiring! Young men! Think of Marillac!
[All shudder: turn away, and are silent with terror; all fix their eyes on L'Angely, who silently resumes his seat.
VILLAC (taking Montpesat aside).
My lord, when we were talking of Corneille,
You spoke in tones that irritated me.
In my turn I would like to say two words
To you—
MONTPESAT.
With sword—
VILLAC.
Yes.
MONTPESAT.
Or with pistol?
VILLAC.
Both!
MONTPESAT (taking his arm).
Let's go and find some corner in the town.
L'ANGELY (rising).
A duel, sirs? Remember Boutteville.
[New consternation among the young men. Villac and Montpesat separate, keeping their eyes fixed on L'Angely.
ROCHEBARON.
Who is this man in black who frightens us?
L'ANGELY.
I'm L'Angely. I'm jester to the King.
BRICHANTEAU (laughing).
Then it's no wonder that the King is sad.
BOUCHAVANNES (laughing).
Great fun he makes, this rabid cardinalist!
L'ANGELY (standing).
Be careful, gentlemen! This minister
Is mighty. A great mower, he! He makes
Great seas of blood, and then he covers them
With his red cloak and nothing more is said. [Silence.
GASSÉ.
Good faith!
ROCHEBARON.
I'm blessed if I shall stir!
BRICHANTEAU.
Beside
This jester Pluto was a funny man!
[A crowd of people enter from the streets and houses, and spread over the Square. In the center appears The Town-Crier on horseback, with four Town-servants in livery, one of whom blows the trumpet, while the other beats the drum.
GASSÉ.
What are these people doing? Ah, the crier!
Well, paternosters are in order now!
BRICHANTEAU (to a juggler with a monkey on his back, who has joined the crowd).
Which one of you shows off the other, friend?
MONTPESAT (to Rochebaron).
I hope our packs of cards are still complete.
[Indicating the four Servants in livery.
It looks as though these knaves were stolen thence.
TOWN-CRIER (in a nasal tone of voice).
Peace, citizens!
BRICHANTEAU (low to Gassé).
He has a wicked look.
His voice wears out his nose more than his mouth!
TOWN-CRIER.
"Ordinance: Louis, by the Grace of God—"
BOUCHAVANNES (low to Brichanteau).
Cloak fleur-de-lis concealing Richelieu!
L'ANGELY.
Attention!
TOWN-CRIER (continuing).
"King of France and of Navarre—"
BRICHANTEAU (low to Bouchavannes).
A fine name, which no minister e'er hoards.
TOWN-CRIER (continuing).
"Know all men by these presents, we greet you!
[He salutes assembly.
Having considered that all kings desired
And have tried to abolish dueling,
But yet, in spite of edicts signed by them,
The evil has increased in great degree,
We ordain and decree that from this time
All duelists who rob us of our subjects,
Whether but one of them or both survive,
Be brought for punishment unto our court,
And commoner or noble shall be hanged.
In order to give force to this edict
We here renounce our right of pardon for
This crime. It is our gracious pleasure."—
Signed, Louis; and lower—Richelieu.
[Indignation among the nobles.
BRICHANTEAU.
What's this?
We are to hang up like Barabbas!
BOUCHAVANNES.
We?
Tell me the name of any place which holds
A rope by which to hang a nobleman!
TOWN-CRIER (continuing).
"We, provost, that all men may know these facts,
Command this edict to be hung up on
The Square."
[The two Servants attach a great placard to an iron gallows protruding from the wall on the right.
GASSÉ.
'Tis the edict they ought to hang!
Well done!
BOUCHAVANNES (shaking his head).
Yes, Count; while waiting for the head
Which shall defy it.
[The Town-Crier exits; the crowd retires. Saverny enters. It begins to grow dark.
![[Illustration: Marion de Lorme.]](https://booqs-images.s3.amazonaws.com/pg/39133/@public@vhost@g@gutenberg@html@files@39133@39133-h@images@marion3.jpg)