The Dramas of Victor Hugo: Mary Tudor, Marion de Lorme, Esmeralda Part 69

The Dramas of Victor Hugo: Mary Tudor, Marion de Lorme, Esmeralda Part 69

MARQUIS DE NANGIS.


Laugh at my mourning?


DUKE DE BELLEGARDE.


Ah, these c.o.xcombs here!


Old friend, stay there; youll not have long to wait.


I will dispose him gainst the Cardinal.


Ill stamp upon the ground for signal; then Come out.


MARQUIS DE NANGIS (_grasping his hand_).


May G.o.d repay you!


DUKE DE BELLEGARDE (_to a Musketeer who walks up and down in front of a small gilt door_).


Monsieur, pray, What does the King?


MUSKETEER.


Hes working, my lord duke!


[_Lowering his voice._ A man in black is with him.


DUKE DE BELLEGARDE (_aside_).


At this moment He is singing a death-warrant, I believe.


[_To the old Marquis, grasping his hand._


Be brave!


[_He conducts him to a neighboring gallery._


While waiting for the signal, look At these new ceilings, theyre by Primatice.


[_Both go out. Marion, in deep mourning, enters through the great door in the back, which opens on a staircase._


SCENE II


_Marion, the Guards_


HALBERDIER (_to Marion_).


Madame, you cannot enter!


MARION (_advancing_).


Sir!


HALBERDIER (_placing his halberd against the door_).


I say, No entrance!


MARION (_with contempt_).


Here you turn your lance against A woman. Elsewhere, tis in her defense.


MUSKETEER (_laughing, to Halberdier_).


Well said!


MARION (_firmly_).


I must immediately have audience With the Duke de Bellegarde.


HALBERDIER (_lowering his halberd, aside_).


Ah, these gallants!


MUSKETEER.


Enter, madame.


[_She enters with determined step._


HALBERDIER (_aside, watching her from the corner of his eye_).


Well, the old duke is not As feeble as he looks. This rendezvous Would have cost him a sojourn in the Louvre, In former times.


MUSKETEER (_making sign to Halberdier to keep still_).


The door is open.


[_The little gilt door is opened. M. de Laffemas comes out, holding in his hand a parchment to which a red seal hangs by strands of silk._


SCENE III


_Marion, Laffemas: gesture of surprise from both. Marion turns away from him with horror_


LAFFEMAS (_low, advancing slowly toward Marion_).


You!


What is your errand here?


MARION.


Whats yours?