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

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.


Youre brusk, but Im in debt to you for life.


If ever you should need fraternal friendship, 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 LAngely; 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!