The Dramas of Victor Hugo: Mary Tudor, Marion de Lorme, Esmeralda Part 54

[_To L'Angely._] You freeze my blood, sir. Who are you?

L'ANGELY.

I'm the King's jester!

MARION.

Oh, my Didier, love, I'm lost, unworthy; but what G.o.d can do With a weak woman's hands, I'll show to you.

Go on, my love; I follow!

[_She goes out on the side from which Didier left._

L'ANGELY (_alone_).

G.o.d knows where!

[_Picking up the sword which Didier left on the ground._

Among all these, who'd think I was the fool? [_He goes out._

_ACT III_

THE COMEDY

Scene.--_The Castle of Nangis. A park in the style of Henry IV. In the background on an elevation, the Castle of Nangis, part new, part old, is visible. The old, a castle-keep with arches and turrets: the new, a large brick house with corners of wrought stone, and pointed roof. The large door of the castle-keep is hung with black: from afar one distinguishes a coat-of-arms--that of the families of Nangis and of Saverny_

SCENE I

_M. DE LAFFEMAS, undress costume of a magistrate of the period.

Marquis de Saverny, disguised as an officer of the Regiment of Anjou; with black mustache and imperial, and a plaster on the eye_

LAFFEMAS.

Then you were present, sir, at the attack?

SAVERNY (_pulling his mustache_).

I was his comrade: had that honor, sir!

But he is dead!

LAFFEMAS.

The Marquis de Saverny?

SAVERNY.

Yes, from a thrust in tierce, which burst the doublet, Then carved its cruel way between the ribs Through to the chest and to the liver, which, As you well know, makes blood. The wound was fearful.

'Twas horrible to see!

LAFFEMAS.

He died at once?

SAVERNY.

Almost. His agony was short. I watched The spasm follow frenzy; tetanos Then came, and after opisthotonos There followed improstathonos.

LAFFEMAS.

The deuce!

SAVERNY.

So that I calculate 'tis false to say The blood pa.s.ses the jugular. Pequet And learned men should be condemned when they Dissect live dogs to study 'bout the lungs.

LAFFEMAS.

The poor marquis is dead.

SAVERNY.

A thrust is fatal.

LAFFEMAS.

You are a doctor, sir, of medicine?

SAVERNY.

No.

LAFFEMAS.

You have studied it?

SAVERNY.

Somewhat.

In Aristotle.

LAFFEMAS.

You can talk it well!

SAVERNY.