The Dramas of Victor Hugo: Mary Tudor, Marion de Lorme, Esmeralda Part 28

The Dramas of Victor Hugo: Mary Tudor, Marion de Lorme, Esmeralda Part 28

JOSHUA.


You did not know me a little while ago.


JANE.


No, I had to begin with him.


[_Joshua kisses her hand._


GILBERT (_pressing her in his arms_).


Ah, what happiness! But is it real, all this happiness?


[_For some time a distant noise has been heard; confused voices, a tumult. It grows dark._


JOSHUA.


What is that noise?


[_He goes to the window which overlooks the street._


JANE.


Oh! My G.o.d! Let nothing happen!


JOSHUA.


There is a great crowd off there. Pick-axes, pikes, torches. The Queens pensioners on horseback, and fighting. They are all coming this way! What cries! The devil! It looks like a public revolt.


JANE.


If it is only not against Gilbert.


DISTANT CRIES.


Fabiani! Death to Fabiani!


JANE.


Can you hear?


JOSHUA.


Yes.


JANE.


What are they saying?


JOSHUA.


I cant distinguish!


JANE.


Oh, my G.o.d! My G.o.d!


[_Master Eneas and a boatman enter hastily through the concealed door._


SCENE VIII


_The same. Master Eneas, a Boatman_


MASTER ENEAS.


My Lord Fabiani! My lord, not an instant to lose! The people know the Queen wanted to save your life. There is a revolt of the London populace against you. In a quarter of an hour you will be torn to pieces. My lord, save yourself. Here is a cloak and a cap. Here are the keys. Here is a boatman. Dont forget that you owe it all to me.


My lord, make haste! [_Low to Boatman._] Remember, you are not to hurry.


JANE (_hastily covers Gilbert with the cloak and cap; low to Joshua_).


Heaven! If this man will only not recognize him.


MASTER ENEAS (_looking into Gilberts face_).


What! this is not Lord Clanbra.s.sil. You are not fulfilling the Queens orders, my lady. You are helping another to escape.


JANE.


All is lost! I ought to have foreseen this! Ah, sir, it is true! Have mercy--


MASTER ENEAS (_low to Jane_).


Silence! Go on! I have said nothing! I have seen nothing!


[_He goes up stage with an air of indifference._


JANE.


What does he say? Ah, Providence befriends us. Everybody wants to save Gilbert.


JOSHUA.


No, my lady, everybody wants to destroy Fabiani.


[_During the entire scene the cries have increased outside._


JANE.