The Dramas of Victor Hugo: Mary Tudor, Marion de Lorme, Esmeralda Part 85

The Dramas of Victor Hugo: Mary Tudor, Marion de Lorme, Esmeralda Part 85

This night The Cardinal, in litter, will attend.


[_Marion is buried in a deep and painful reverie. Suddenly she pa.s.ses her two hands over her brow and turns, as if wild, toward Laffemas._


MARION.


How could you manage their escape?


LAFFEMAS (_low_).


You mean?


Two of my men could guard this place, by which The Cardinal pa.s.ses-- [_He listens at the small door._ I think some one comes!


MARION (_wringing her hands_).


Youll save him?


LAFFEMAS.


Yes.


[_Low._] To tell you in this place-- The walls have echoes--elsewhere.


MARION (_with despair_).


Come!


[_Laffemas goes toward the large door and signs to her to follow. She falls on her knees, turned toward the grating of the prison; then she arises with a convulsive effort and disappears through the great door after Laffemas. Saverny and Didier enter, surrounded by Guards._


SCENE III


_Didier, Saverny. Saverny, dressed in the latest fashion, enters gayly and petulantly. Didier is in black, walks slowly, is very pale.


A jailer accompanied by Halberdiers conducts them. The Jailer places the two Halberdiers as sentinels beside the black curtain. Didier sits, silently, on the stone bench_


SAVERNY (_to The Jailer, who opens the door for him_).


Thank you.


The air is very good!


THE JAILER (_low, and drawing him aside_).


My lord, two words with you.


SAVERNY.


Four, if you like.


THE JAILER (_lowering his voice still more_).


Will you escape?


SAVERNY (_eagerly_).


Speak! How?


THE JAILER.


Thats my affair.


SAVERNY.


Truly? [_The Jailer nods his head._ Lord Cardinal, You meant to keep me from attending b.a.l.l.s, But it appears I am to dance again.


The pleasant thing that life is!


[_To The Jailer._] When, my friend?


THE JAILER.


To-night, as soon as it is dark.


SAVERNY.


My faith!


I shall be charmed to leave these quarters. Whence Comes this a.s.sistance?


THE JAILER.


Marquis de Nangis.


SAVERNY.


My good old uncle!


[_To The Jailer._] Tis for both, I hope!


THE JAILER.


I can save only one!


SAVERNY.


For twice as much?


THE JAILER.


I can save only one!


SAVERNY (_tossing his head_).


Just one?


[_Low to The Jailer._] Then listen; Good jailer, thats the one to save!