The Goddess of Reason 37

The Goddess of Reason 37

[_Hysterical and continued laughter._ GRÉGOIRE _and

the turnkeys look stolidly on, but the prisoners are

disturbed_.

 

COUNT LOUIS

 

For shame, Enguerrand La Fôret!

Before women!—Die like a gentleman!

 

LA FÔRET (_He leans against the balustrade of the choir_)

 

Ha, ha!

 

COUNT LOUIS

 

Fie, fie! You shame us all!

 

LA FÔRET

 

Ha, ha!

I laugh because—ha, ha!—‘tis such a joke!

 

[_He mounts the step still laughing, then suddenly

recovers himself and turns with fury._

 

Who calls me coward? I laughed because I laughed!

 

[_He wrests a musket from the nearest soldier and

stabs him with the bayonet._

 

Take that!—There’s one at least will laugh no more!

 

[_Oaths and confusion among the gaolers and soldiers.

A sigh of satisfaction from the prisoners._ LA FÔRET

_is dragged out_. GRÉGOIRE _looks at his list, then at_

DE VARDES. _The latter advances._

 

GRÉGOIRE (_hurriedly to himself_)

 

To-morrow—not to-day! I’ll risk that much,—

Just for the way he fought that Morbec night!

(_Aloud._) Stand back, Citoyen Vardes! Your time’s not yet.

 

[_A murmur of pleasure and congratulation from the

prisoners._

 

MLLE. DE CHÂTEAU-GUI

 

We are so pleased, Monsieur le Baron!

 

GRÉGOIRE

 

Citoyens Rochedagon and Pincornet!

 

[_The men named go out. There is heard from the

square without and from the passage a sound of

acclamation. The door is flung open and the Actress

enters._

 

THE ACTRESS

 

They harmed me not! “No, no!” they said. “No, no!

Delphine Gérard must play for us in Nantes.”

Oh, the people! Oh, the dear good people!

Oh, blessed fortune!

 

DE VARDES

 

We are most happy!

 

THE ABBÉ

 

Delphine Gérard!

 

COUNT LOUIS

 

Welcome, mademoiselle!

You see the play is still a comedy!

 

GRÉGOIRE

 

Marneil, Delille!

 

[_Exeunt the men named._

 

DE L’ORIENT

 

The leaves fall fast,

The tree will soon be bare!

 

GRÉGOIRE

 

The Citoyenne

Clarice-Marie Miramand Blanchefôret.

 

DE VARDES

 

Oh, wretch!

 

THE PRISONERS

 

La belle Marquise!

 

THE MARQUISE

 

It is my name!—

I had no thought I would be called to-day!—

Unwarned! That’s horrible! Ah, good Grégoire!

A little while—

 

GRÉGOIRE (_stolidly_)

 

Citoyenne Blanchefôret.

 

THE MARQUISE

 

Ah, villain!

 

DE VARDES (_to_ GRÉGOIRE)

 

Five minutes!

 

[_He slips into_ GRÉGOIRE’S _hand the purse of gold_.

GRÉGOIRE _hesitates a moment, then his hand closes

upon the purse. He thrusts it into his bosom._

 

SÉRAPHINE

 

Saint Michel!

 

[DE VARDES _comes to_ THE MARQUISE _and they speak

together_. GRÉGOIRE _turns to another group of prisoners_.

 

GRÉGOIRE

 

Montfauçon and Guistelles.

 

SÉRAPHINE

 

Saint Guenolé!

He hath the purse! The paper in it too!

He’s rock; he, black Grégoire! Alack the day!

Saint Huon! What’s to do?—

 

GRÉGOIRE

 

Sorel and Mornay!

 

SÉRAPHINE

 

Saint Yves le Véridique! I will away!

 

[_Exit_ SÉRAPHINE.

 

DE VARDES (_to_ THE MARQUISE)

 

Would I might die for thee!

 

THE MARQUISE

 

‘Tis but a dream!

 

DE VARDES

 

Clarice! Clarice!

 

THE MARQUISE

 

A vision of the night!

 

DE VARDES

 

Clarice-Marie!

 

THE MARQUISE

 

I will awake!

 

DE VARDES

 

My friend!

 

THE MARQUISE

 

Ah, only that!