The Dramas of Victor Hugo: Mary Tudor, Marion de Lorme, Esmeralda Part 69

MARQUIS DE NANGIS.

Laugh at my mourning?

DUKE DE BELLEGARDE.

Ah, these c.o.xcombs here!

Old friend, stay there; you'll not have long to wait.

I will dispose him 'gainst the Cardinal.

I'll stamp upon the ground for signal; then Come out.

MARQUIS DE NANGIS (_grasping his hand_).

May G.o.d repay you!

DUKE DE BELLEGARDE (_to a Musketeer who walks up and down in front of a small gilt door_).

Monsieur, pray, What does the King?

MUSKETEER.

He's working, my lord duke!

[_Lowering his voice._ A man in black is with him.

DUKE DE BELLEGARDE (_aside_).

At this moment He is singing a death-warrant, I believe.

[_To the old Marquis, grasping his hand._

Be brave!

[_He conducts him to a neighboring gallery._

While waiting for the signal, look At these new ceilings, they're by Primatice.

[_Both go out. Marion, in deep mourning, enters through the great door in the back, which opens on a staircase._

SCENE II

_Marion, the Guards_

HALBERDIER (_to Marion_).

Madame, you cannot enter!

MARION (_advancing_).

Sir!

HALBERDIER (_placing his halberd against the door_).

I say, No entrance!

MARION (_with contempt_).

Here you turn your lance against A woman. Elsewhere, 'tis in her defense.

MUSKETEER (_laughing, to Halberdier_).

Well said!

MARION (_firmly_).

I must immediately have audience With the Duke de Bellegarde.

HALBERDIER (_lowering his halberd, aside_).

Ah, these gallants!

MUSKETEER.

Enter, madame.

[_She enters with determined step._

HALBERDIER (_aside, watching her from the corner of his eye_).

Well, the old duke is not As feeble as he looks. This rendezvous Would have cost him a sojourn in the Louvre, In former times.

MUSKETEER (_making sign to Halberdier to keep still_).

The door is open.

[_The little gilt door is opened. M. de Laffemas comes out, holding in his hand a parchment to which a red seal hangs by strands of silk._

SCENE III

_Marion, Laffemas: gesture of surprise from both. Marion turns away from him with horror_

LAFFEMAS (_low, advancing slowly toward Marion_).

You!

What is your errand here?

MARION.

What's yours?