The Dramas of Victor Hugo: Mary Tudor, Marion de Lorme, Esmeralda - LightNovelsOnl.com
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MARQUIS DE NANGIS.
Laugh at my mourning?
DUKE DE BELLEGARDE.
Ah, these c.o.xcombs here!
Old friend, stay there; you'll not have long to wait.
I will dispose him 'gainst the Cardinal.
I'll 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.
He's 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, they're 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.
What's yours?
