SCENE II
The same. Marquis de Saverny
BRICHANTEAU (going to Saverny).
Cousin Saverny,
I hope you've found the man who rescued you.
SAVERNY.
No; I have searched the city through in vain.
The robbers, the young man, and Marion—
They have all faded from me like a dream.
BRICHANTEAU.
You must have seen him when he brought you back,
Like a good Christian, from those infidels.
SAVERNY.
The first thing that he did was to throw down
The lamp.
GASSÉ.
That's strange!
BRICHANTEAU.
You'd recognize him if
You met him?
SAVERNY.
No; I didn't see his face.
BRICHANTEAU.
What is his name?
SAVERNY.
Didier.
ROCHEBARON.
That's no man's name!
That is a bourgeois name.
SAVERNY.
It doesn't matter.
Didier is this man's name. There are great men
Who have been conquerors and bear grand names,
But they've no greater hearts than this man had.
I had six robbers! He had Marion!
He left her, and saved me. My debt's immense!
This debt I mean to pay. I tell you all:
I'll pay it with the last drop of my blood!
VILLAC.
Since when do you pay debts?
SAVERNY (proudly).
I've always paid
Those debts which can be paid with blood.
Blood is the only change I carry, sir!
[It is quite dark; the windows in the city are lighted one by one; a lamplighter enters and lights a street-lamp above the edict and goes out. The little door through which Marion and Didier disappeared is re-opened. Didier comes forth dreamily, walking slowly, his arms folded.
SCENE III
The same. Didier
DIDIER (coming slowly from the back; no one sees or hears him).
Marquis de Saverny! I would like much
To see that fool who looked at her so hard.
I have him on my mind.
BOUCHAVANNES (to Saverny, who is talking with Brichanteau).
Saverny!
DIDIER (aside).
Ah,
That is my man!
[He advances slowly, his eyes fixed on the noblemen, and sits down at a table placed under the street-lamp, which lights up the edict. L'Angely, motionless and silent, is a few steps distant.
BOUCHAVANNES (to Saverny, who turns around).
You know about the edict?
SAVERNY.
Which one?
BOUCHAVANNES.
Commanding us to give up duels.
SAVERNY.
It is most wise.
BRICHANTEAU.
Hanging's the penalty.
SAVERNY.
You must be jesting. Commoners are hanged,
Not nobles.
BRICHANTEAU (showing the placard).
Read it for yourself. It's there,
Upon the wall.
SAVERNY (perceiving Didier).
That sallow face can read
For me.
[To Didier, elevating his voice.
Ho! man there with the cloak! My friend!
Good fellow!
[To Brichanteau.] Brichanteau, he must be deaf.
DIDIER (slowly lifting his head, without taking his eyes from him).
You spoke to me?
SAVERNY.
I did! In fair return,
Read that placard which hangs above your head.
DIDIER.
I?
SAVERNY.
You—if you can spell the alphabet.
DIDIER (rising).
It is the edict threatening duelists
With gallows, be they nobles or plebeians.
SAVERNY.
No, you mistake, my friend. You ought to know
A nobleman was never born to hang,
And in this world, where we claim all our rights,
Plebeians are the gallows' only prey.
[To the noblemen.
These commoners are rude.
[To Didier, with malice.] You don't read well;
Perhaps you are near-sighted. Lift your hat,
'Twill give you more light. Take it off.
DIDIER (overthrowing the table which is in front of him).
Beware!
You have insulted me! I've read for you;
I claim my recompense! I'll have it, too!
I want your blood, I want your head, Marquis!
SAVERNY (smiling).
We must be fitted to our station, sir.
I judge him commoner, he scents marquis
In me.
DIDIER.
Marquis and commoner can fight.
What do you say to mixing up our blood?
SAVERNY.
You go too fast, and fighting is not all.
I am Gaspard, Marquis de Saverny.
DIDIER.
What does that matter?
SAVERNY.
Here my seconds are!
The Count de Gassé, noble family,
And Count de Villac, family La Teuillade,
From which house comes the Marquis d'Aubusson.
Are you of noble blood?
DIDIER.
What matters that?
I am a foundling left at a church door.
I have no name; but in its place, I've blood,
To give you in exchange for yours!
SAVERNY.
That, sir,
Is not enough; but as a foundling, you
May claim the right, because you might be noble.
It is a better thing to lift a vassal
Than to degrade a peer. You may command me!
Choose your hour, sir.
DIDIER.
Immediately!
SAVERNY.
Agreed!
You're no usurper, that is clear.
DIDIER.
A sword!
SAVERNY.
You have no sword? The devil! that is bad.
You might be thought a man of low descent.
Will you have mine?
[Offers his sword to Didier.
Well tempered and obedient!
[L'Angely rises, draws his sword and presents it to Didier.
L'ANGLEY.
No; for a foolish deed, you'd better take
A fool's sword! You are brave! You'll honor it!
[Maliciously.] And in return, to bring me luck, pray let
Me cut a piece from off the hanging-rope!
DIDIER (bitterly, taking sword).
I will.
[To The Marquis.
Now God have mercy on the good!
BRICHANTEAU (jumping with delight).
A duel—excellent!
SAVERNY (to Didier).
Where shall we fight?
DIDIER.
Beneath the street-lamp.
GASSÉ.
Gentlemen, you're mad!
You cannot see. You'll put your eyes out.
DIDIER.
Humph!
There's light enough to cut each other's throat.
SAVERNY.
Well said!
VILLAC.
You can see nothing.
DIDIER.
That's enough!
Each sword is lightning flashing in the dark.
Come, Marquis!
[Both throw off their cloaks, take off their hats with which they salute each other, throwing them afterward on the ground. Then they draw their swords.
SAVERNY.
At your service, sir.
DIDIER.
Now! Garde!
[They cross swords and fence, silently and furiously. Suddenly the small door opens, Marion in a white dress appears.