The Dramas of Victor Hugo: Mary Tudor, Marion de Lorme, Esmeralda Part 8

The Dramas of Victor Hugo: Mary Tudor, Marion de Lorme, Esmeralda Part 8

My lord, give me the Queens signature in blank.


FABIANI.


Accursed Jew, I will have to yield. [_Draws a paper from his pocket._


THE MAN.


Show me the Queens signature in blank.


FABIANI.


Show me Talbots papers.


THE MAN.


Afterward.


[_They go close to the lantern. Fabiani stands behind the Jew, and with his left hand holds the paper under the Jews eyes; he examines it. The Man reads._


"We, Mary, Queen--" It is well. You see, my lord, I am like you. I have calculated upon everything. I have foreseen everything.


FABIANI (_draws a dagger with his right hand and plunges it into the Jews throat_).


Except this!


THE MAN.


Oh, traitor! Help!


[_He falls. In falling he throws a sealed packet into the darkness behind him; Fabiani does not perceive it._


FABIANI (_leaning over the body_).


Faith! I believe he is dead. Quick, the papers. [_He searches the Jew._] What! he hasnt got them. He has nothing--nothing at all about him! Not a paper! He was lying, the old wretch! He deceived me: he wanted to rob me. Is it possible, you accursed Jew! No, he has nothing. That is clear. I have killed him for nothing. They are all alike, these Jews. To lie and steal, that is all they can do. Come, let us get rid of this corpse; I cant leave it here at the door.


[_Goes up stage._] I will see if the boatman is still there; he can help me throw it into the Thames.


[_He descends, and disappears behind the parapet._


GILBERT (_enters from the opposite side_).


I thought I heard a cry!


[_He perceives the body stretched upon the ground under the lantern._


Some one has been a.s.sa.s.sinated! The beggar!


THE MAN (_lifting himself half-way up_).


Ah, you come too late, Gilbert.


[_He points to the place where he threw the packet._


Take them. They are the papers which prove that Jane, your betrothed, is daughter and heiress of the last Lord Talbot. My a.s.sa.s.sin is Lord Clanbra.s.sil, the Queens favorite. Oh, I suffocate! Gilbert, avenge me! Avenge yourself! [_He dies._


GILBERT.


Dead! Avenge myself? What does he mean? Jane, daughter to Lord Talbot? Lord Clanbra.s.sil! The Queens favorite? Oh, I am lost in wonder! [_Shaking the body._] Speak! One word more! He is indeed dead!


SCENE VII


Gilbert, Fabiani


FABIANI (_returning_).


Who goes there?


GILBERT.


A man has been a.s.sa.s.sinated.


FABIANI.


No, a Jew.


GILBERT.


Who killed him?


FABIANI.


Faith! You or I.


GILBERT.


Sir?


FABIANI.


No witnesses. A corpse on the ground. Two men beside it. Which is the a.s.sa.s.sin? There is nothing to prove it is one rather than the other--I rather than you.


GILBERT.


Miserable man! You are the a.s.sa.s.sin!


FABIANI.


Well, yes! To be frank, I am. What of it?