The Dramas of Victor Hugo: Mary Tudor, Marion de Lorme, Esmeralda Part 28

JOSHUA.

You did not know me a little while ago.

JANE.

No, I had to begin with him.

[_Joshua kisses her hand._

GILBERT (_pressing her in his arms_).

Ah, what happiness! But is it real, all this happiness?

[_For some time a distant noise has been heard; confused voices, a tumult. It grows dark._

JOSHUA.

What is that noise?

[_He goes to the window which overlooks the street._

JANE.

Oh! My G.o.d! Let nothing happen!

JOSHUA.

There is a great crowd off there. Pick-axes, pikes, torches. The Queen's pensioners on horseback, and fighting. They are all coming this way! What cries! The devil! It looks like a public revolt.

JANE.

If it is only not against Gilbert.

DISTANT CRIES.

Fabiani! Death to Fabiani!

JANE.

Can you hear?

JOSHUA.

Yes.

JANE.

What are they saying?

JOSHUA.

I can't distinguis.h.!.+

JANE.

Oh, my G.o.d! My G.o.d!

[_Master Eneas and a boatman enter hastily through the concealed door._

SCENE VIII

_The same. Master Eneas, a Boatman_

MASTER ENEAS.

My Lord Fabiani! My lord, not an instant to lose! The people know the Queen wanted to save your life. There is a revolt of the London populace against you. In a quarter of an hour you will be torn to pieces. My lord, save yourself. Here is a cloak and a cap. Here are the keys. Here is a boatman. Don't forget that you owe it all to me.

My lord, make haste! [_Low to Boatman._] Remember, you are not to hurry.

JANE (_hastily covers Gilbert with the cloak and cap; low to Joshua_).

Heaven! If this man will only not recognize him.

MASTER ENEAS (_looking into Gilbert's face_).

What! this is not Lord Clanbra.s.sil. You are not fulfilling the Queen's orders, my lady. You are helping another to escape.

JANE.

All is lost! I ought to have foreseen this! Ah, sir, it is true! Have mercy--

MASTER ENEAS (_low to Jane_).

Silence! Go on! I have said nothing! I have seen nothing!

[_He goes up stage with an air of indifference._

JANE.

What does he say? Ah, Providence befriends us. Everybody wants to save Gilbert.

JOSHUA.

No, my lady, everybody wants to destroy Fabiani.

[_During the entire scene the cries have increased outside._

JANE.