The Dramas of Victor Hugo: Mary Tudor, Marion de Lorme, Esmeralda Part 61

The Dramas of Victor Hugo: Mary Tudor, Marion de Lorme, Esmeralda Part 61

LAFFEMAS (_looking from the locket to the barn_).


Tis she--Marion de Lorme! [_Aside._] I have him now!


[_To Saverny._] She must have a companion mongst these men.


SAVERNY.


Its likely. Such fair ladies are not prudes, And seldom travel round the world alone.


LAFFEMAS (_aside_).


Ill guard this door. It will go hard, indeed, If I cant capture that false actor here.


Hes taken now--no doubt of that! [_Goes out._


SAVERNY (_watches the exit of Laffemas: aside_).


I think Ive done a foolish thing.


[_Taking Gracieux aside, who all this time has stood in a corner gesticulating and running over his lines: in a whisper._


Who is that lady Sitting within the shadow there?


[_Indicating the door of the barn._


GRACIEUX.


Chimene?


[_Solemnly._] My lord, I do not know her name. Ask him, This lord, her n.o.ble friend.


[_Exits on the side of the park._


SCENE VII


Didier, Saverny


SAVERNY (_turning toward Didier_).


This gentleman?


Tell me-- Tis strange how hard he looks at me!


Upon my soul, tis he! My man! [_Loud to Didier._] If you Were not in prison, I should say that you Resemble a--


DIDIER.


And if you were not dead, Id say That you had the exact appearance of-- His blood be on his head!--a man whom two Short words of mine put in a tomb.


SAVERNY.


Hush! You Are Didier!


DIDIER.


Marquis Gaspard, you!


SAVERNY.


Twas you Who were somewhere, a certain night! Tis you To whom I owe my life!


[_He opens his arms. Didier draws back._


DIDIER.


Excuse surprise!


I felt so sure I took it back.


SAVERNY.


Not so!


You saved me--did not kill me! Let me know What I can do for you. Do you desire A second--brother--a lieutenant? Speak!


What will you have--my blood, my wealth, my soul?


DIDIER.


Not any of those things. That portrait there!


[_Saverny gives him the portrait; he looks at it, speaking with bitterness._


Yes, theres her brow, her black eyes, her white neck; Above all, theres her candid glance! How like!


SAVERNY.


You think so?


DIDIER.


This was made for you, you say?


SAVERNY (_bowing, and making an affirmative sign_).


It was! But now tis you whom she prefers, You whom she loves and chooses mongst us all.


You are a happy man.


DIDIER (_with loud and mocking laugh_).


Yes! Am I not?


SAVERNY.


Accept my compliments; shes a good girl, And loves no one but men of family.