The Dramas of Victor Hugo: Mary Tudor, Marion de Lorme, Esmeralda Part 9

GILBERT.

I am going to call the constables.

FABIANI.

You are going to help me throw the body into the water.

GILBERT.

I will have you seized and punished.

FABIANI.

You will help me throw the body into the water.

GILBERT.

You are insolent.

FABIANI.

Do as I say! Let us destroy all traces of this. Believe me, you are more interested in the matter than I am.

GILBERT.

Upon my soul!

FABIANI.

One of us two did the deed. I am a great lord, a n.o.bleman. You are a pa.s.ser-by, a peasant, a man of the people. A n.o.ble who kills a Jew pays a fine of four sous; a man of the people who kills one of his fellow-creatures is hanged.

GILBERT.

You would dare--

FABIANI.

If you denounce me, I will denounce you. I will be believed sooner than you. At any rate, the chances are unequal. Four sous fine for me, and the gallows for you.

GILBERT.

No witnesses! No proofs! Oh, my brain is bewildered! This miserable man is right, he has me in his power.

FABIANI.

Shall I help you throw the corpse into the river?

GILBERT.

You are a demon!

[_Gilbert takes the body up by the head, Fabiani by the feet; they carry it to the parapet._

FABIANI.

Yes. Faith, my friend, I can no longer exactly tell which of us killed this man!

[_They go down behind the parapet. Fabiani re-appears._

It is done. Good-night, comrade! Go your way!

[_He starts toward the house, but turns back, seeing that Gilbert follows him._

Well, what do you want? Money for your trouble? In truth, I don't owe you anything, but here, take this.

[_He gives his purse to Gilbert, whose first impulse is to refuse it, but who accepts it afterward with the air of a man who has reflected._

Well, go! What more are you waiting for?

GILBERT.

Nothing.

FABIANI.

Then stay, if it pleases you. You can have the fine starlight while I have the pretty girl. G.o.d be with you!

[_He starts toward the door of the house and is about to open it._

GILBERT.

Where are you going?

FABIANI.

Faith, into my house!

GILBERT.

How? Into your house!

FABIANI.

That is what I said.

GILBERT.

Which of us two is dreaming? A short time ago you told me that I was the Jew's a.s.sa.s.sin! Now you tell me that that house is yours.