The Dramas of Victor Hugo: Mary Tudor, Marion de Lorme, Esmeralda Part 37

DRAMATIS PERSONae

Marion de Lorme.

Didier.

Louis XIII.

Marquis de Saverny.

Marquis de Nangis.

L'Angely.

M. de Laffemas.

Duke de Bellegarde.

Marquis de Brichanteau, } Count de Ga.s.se, } _Officers_ Viscount de Bouchavannes, } _of the_ Chevalier de Rochebaron, } _Regiment of_ Count de Villac, } _Anjou._ Chevalier de Montpesat, } Duke de Beaupreau.

Viscount de Rohan.

Abbe de Gondi.

Count de Charnace.

Scaramouche, } Gracieux, } _Provincial comedians._ Taillebras, } Councilor of the Great Chamber.

Town Crier.

Captain.

A Jailer.

A Registrar.

The Executioner.

First Workman.

Second Workman.

Third Workman.

A Lackey.

Dame Rose.

_Provincial Comedians, Guards, Populace, n.o.bles, Pages._

1638.

MARION DE LORME

_ACT I_

THE MEETING

Scene.--_Blois. A bed-chamber. A window opening on a balcony at the back. To the right, a table with a lamp, and an armchair. To the left a door, covered by a portiere of tapestry. In the background a bed_

SCENE I

_Marion de Lorme, in a very elegant wrapper, sitting beside the table, embroidering. Marquis de Saverny, very young man, blonde, without mustache, dressed in the latest fas.h.i.+on of 1638_

SAVERNY (_approaching Marion and trying to embrace her_).

Let us be reconciled, my sweet Marie!

MARION (_pus.h.i.+ng him away_).

Not such close reconciliation, please!

SAVERNY (_insisting_).

Just one kiss!

MARION (_angrily_).

Marquis!

SAVERNY.

What a rage! Your mouth Had sweeter manners, not so long ago!

MARION.

Ah, you forget!

SAVERNY.

No, I remember, dear.

MARION (_aside_).

The bore! the tiresome creature!

SAVERNY.

Speak, fair one!

What does this swift, unkind departure mean?

While all are seeking you at Place Royale, Why do you hide yourself at Blois? Traitress, What have you done here all these two long months?

MARION.

I do what pleases me, and what I wish Is right. I'm free, my lord!

SAVERNY.

Free! Yes. But those Whose hearts you've stolen, are they also free?

I? Gondi, who omitted half his Ma.s.s The other day, because he had a duel Upon his hands for you? Nesmond, D'Arquien, The two Caussades, Pressigny, whom your flight Has left so wretched, so morose, even Their wives wish you were back in Paris, that They might have gayer husbands!

MARION (_smiling_).