The Dramas of Victor Hugo: Mary Tudor, Marion de Lorme, Esmeralda Part 44

It would be wise For us to leave together, and at once.

SAVERNY.

So be it, then! I follow you!

[_To Marion, whom he salutes profoundly._

Madame, Farewell!

DIDIER (_aside_).

What a rare c.o.xcomb!

[_Aloud to Saverny._] Come, sir, come!

SAVERNY.

You're brusk, but I'm in debt to you for life.

If ever you should need fraternal friends.h.i.+p, Count upon me, Marquis de Saverny, Paris, Hotel de Nesle.

DIDIER.

Enough, sir! Come!

[_Aside._] To see her thus examined by a fool!

[_They go out by the balcony. The voice of Didier is heard outside._

Your road lies that way. Mine lies here!

SCENE IV

Marion, Dame Rose

MARION (_remains absorbed a moment, then calls_).

Dame Rose!

[_Dame Rose appears. Marion points to the window._

Go shut it!

[_Dame Rose, having shut the window, turns and sees Marion wiping away a tear._

DAME ROSE (_aside_).

She is weeping!

[_Aloud._] It is time To sleep, madame!

MARION.

Yes, time for you--you people. [_Undoing her hair._ Come, help me to undress!

DAME ROSE (_helping her to undress_).

The gentleman To-night was pleasant. Is he rich?

MARION.

Not rich.

DAME ROSE.

But gallant.

MARION.

No, nor gallant. [_Turning to Dame Rose._ He did not So much as kiss my hand!

DAME ROSE.

What use is he?

MARION (_pensive_).

I love him!

[Ill.u.s.tration: MARION DE LORME.]

_ACT II_

THE ENCOUNTER

Scene.--_Blois. The door of a public-house. A square. In the background the city of Blois is visible in the form of an amphitheater, also the towers of St. Nicholas upon the hill, which is covered with houses_

SCENE I

Count de Ga.s.se, Marquis de Brichanteau, Viscount de Bouchavannes, Chevalier de Rochebaron. _They are seated at tables in front of the door: some are smoking, the others are throwing dice and drinking.

Afterward Chevalier de Montpesat, Count de Villac; afterward L'Angely; afterward The Town-Crier and The Populace_

BRICHANTEAU (_rising, to Ga.s.se, who enters_).

Ga.s.se! [_They shake hands._ You are come to join The regiment at Blois: our compliments Upon your burial. [_Examining his clothes._ Ah!