The Dramas of Victor Hugo: Mary Tudor, Marion de Lorme, Esmeralda Part 10

The Dramas of Victor Hugo: Mary Tudor, Marion de Lorme, Esmeralda Part 10

FABIANI.


Or that of my mistress, which amounts to the same thing.


GILBERT.


Repeat what you have just said.


FABIANI.


My friend, I say, since you wish to know, that this house belongs to a beautiful girl named Jane, who is my mistress.


GILBERT.


And I tell you, my lord, that you lie! I tell you that you are a liar and an a.s.sa.s.sin! I tell you that you are an insolent knave! I tell you, you have p.r.o.nounced some fatal words which will kill us both--you, for having said them: me, for having heard them.


FABIANI.


Dear me! Who the devil is this man?


GILBERT.


I am Gilbert the engraver. Jane is my betrothed.


FABIANI.


And I am the Chevalier Amyas Pawlet. Jane is my mistress.


GILBERT.


You lie, I tell you! You are Lord Clanbra.s.sil, the Queens favorite.


Dont you think I know that, fool!


FABIANI (_aside_).


Everybody seems to know me to-night. Another dangerous man, whom we must get rid of.


GILBERT.


Tell me instantly that you have lied like a coward, and that Jane is not your mistress!


FABIANI.


Do you know her writing?


[_He takes a note from his pocket._


Read this!


[_Aside, while Gilbert tremblingly unfolds the paper._


If he would go in and quarrel with Jane, it would give my people time to get here.


GILBERT (_reading_).


"I will be alone to-night. You can come." Malediction! My lord, you have dishonored my betrothed, you are an infamous wretch! I demand my revenge.


FABIANI (_putting his hand to his sword_).


Willingly! Where is your sword?


GILBERT.


Oh, fury! To be one of the people! To have nothing--neither sword nor dagger. Well, you can go; but I will wait for you at night, in a corner of the street, and I will stick my nails into your throat, and I will a.s.sa.s.sinate you, you villain!


FABIANI.


Dear me! How violent you are, my friend.


GILBERT.


I will be revenged upon you, my lord!


FABIANI.


You! Revenged upon me? You so low, upon me so high! You are crazy!


I defy you.


GILBERT.


You defy me?


FABIANI.


Yes.


GILBERT.


You shall see.


FABIANI (_aside_).


To-morrows sun must not rise for this man. [_Aloud._] Friend, listen to me. Go into your house. I am sorry you found it out, but I leave the beauty to you. Go in.


[_He throws a key down at Gilberts feet._


There is a key, if you havent got one. Or, if you like it better, you can knock against the shutter three times and Jane will think it is I, and let you in. Good-night. [_He goes off._