The Dramas of Victor Hugo: Mary Tudor, Marion de Lorme, Esmeralda - LightNovelsOnl.com
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JOSHUA.
You did not know me a little while ago.
JANE.
No, I had to begin with him.
[_Joshua kisses her hand._
GILBERT (_pressing her in his arms_).
Ah, what happiness! But is it real, all this happiness?
[_For some time a distant noise has been heard; confused voices, a tumult. It grows dark._
JOSHUA.
What is that noise?
[_He goes to the window which overlooks the street._
JANE.
Oh! My G.o.d! Let nothing happen!
JOSHUA.
There is a great crowd off there. Pick-axes, pikes, torches. The Queen's pensioners on horseback, and fighting. They are all coming this way! What cries! The devil! It looks like a public revolt.
JANE.
If it is only not against Gilbert.
DISTANT CRIES.
Fabiani! Death to Fabiani!
JANE.
Can you hear?
JOSHUA.
Yes.
JANE.
What are they saying?
JOSHUA.
I can't distinguis.h.!.+
JANE.
Oh, my G.o.d! My G.o.d!
[_Master Eneas and a boatman enter hastily through the concealed door._
SCENE VIII
_The same. Master Eneas, a Boatman_
MASTER ENEAS.
My Lord Fabiani! My lord, not an instant to lose! The people know the Queen wanted to save your life. There is a revolt of the London populace against you. In a quarter of an hour you will be torn to pieces. My lord, save yourself. Here is a cloak and a cap. Here are the keys. Here is a boatman. Don't forget that you owe it all to me.
My lord, make haste! [_Low to Boatman._] Remember, you are not to hurry.
JANE (_hastily covers Gilbert with the cloak and cap; low to Joshua_).
Heaven! If this man will only not recognize him.
MASTER ENEAS (_looking into Gilbert's face_).
What! this is not Lord Clanbra.s.sil. You are not fulfilling the Queen's orders, my lady. You are helping another to escape.
JANE.
All is lost! I ought to have foreseen this! Ah, sir, it is true! Have mercy--
MASTER ENEAS (_low to Jane_).
Silence! Go on! I have said nothing! I have seen nothing!
[_He goes up stage with an air of indifference._
JANE.
What does he say? Ah, Providence befriends us. Everybody wants to save Gilbert.
JOSHUA.
No, my lady, everybody wants to destroy Fabiani.
[_During the entire scene the cries have increased outside._
JANE.
