The Dramas of Victor Hugo: Mary Tudor, Marion de Lorme, Esmeralda Part 29

We must hurry, Gilbert. Come quickly.

JOSHUA.

Let him go alone!

JANE.

Leave him!

JOSHUA.

Only for a moment. No woman in the boat, if you want it to arrive safe. It is too light yet; your dress is white. After the peril is over, you will find each other again. Come this way with me. Let him go that way.

JANE.

Joshua is right. Where will I find you, my Gilbert?

GILBERT.

Under the first arch of London Bridge.

JANE.

Good! Go quickly. The tumult increases. Oh, I wish you were safe away!

JOSHUA.

Here are the keys. There are twelve doors to open and shut between here and the water's edge. It will take you a good quarter of an hour.

JANE.

A quarter of an hour! Twelve doors! That is frightful.

GILBERT (_embracing her_).

Good-by, Jane! A few more moments of separation and we will rejoin each other for a life-time!

JANE.

For eternity. [_To the Boatman._] Sir, I place him in your care!

MASTER ENEAS (_low to Boatman_).

For fear of accident, don't hurry.

[_Gilbert goes out with the Boatman._

JOSHUA.

He is saved! Now for us! We must shut this cell.

[_He shuts the door of Gilbert's cell._

All right! Come quickly; this way!

[_He goes out, with Jane, through the other concealed door._

MASTER ENEAS (_alone_).

Fabiani remains in the trap. Now, there is a shrewd little woman whom Simon Renard would have paid a good deal for. How will the Queen take all this? Provided the consequences do not fall on my shoulders!

[_The Queen and Simon Renard enter with rapid steps. The tumult outside has steadily increased. It is night. Cries of death, torches, lights, sounds of moving ma.s.ses; the click of arms, shots, the stamping of horses. Several n.o.blemen with daggers in their hands accompany The Queen. Among them are the herald of England, Clarence, bearing the royal banner, and the herald of the Order of the Garter, Jarretiere, bearing the banner of that order._

SCENE IX

_The Queen, Simon Renard, Master Eneas, Lord Clinton, the two heralds, lords, pages, etc._

The Queen (_low to Master Eneas_).

Has Fabiani escaped?

MASTER ENEAS.

Not yet!

THE QUEEN.

Not yet! [_Giving him a terrible look._

MASTER ENEAS (_aside_).

The devil!

THE PEOPLE (_outside_).

Death to Fabiani!

SIMON RENARD.

You must make your decision on the spot, madame. The people demand this man's death! The Tower is besieged. The revolt is formidable.

Your n.o.bles have been cut to pieces on London Bridge. Your Majesty's pensioners hold their own yet; but, just the same, your Majesty has been chased street by street, from the City Hall to the Tower of London. Madame Elizabeth's followers have joined the people. You can tell that by the venom of the mob. All this is serious. What does your Majesty command?

THE PEOPLE.

Fabiani! Death to Fabiani!

[_They grow louder, and come nearer._