It must be done!

SAVERNY.

I cannot bear to hear Him laugh so bitterly, then weep; then keep So still! I hate to see him kiss that coffin.

BRICHANTEAU.

Yes--a fine coffin with no corpse in it!

SAVERNY.

But I am dead and bleeding in his heart.

The corpse lies there.

LAFFEMAS (_coming back_).

Alas, the poor old man!

His eyes show plainly how he"s suffering!

BRICHANTEAU (_low to Saverny_).

Who is that surly-looking man in black?

SAVERNY (_with gesture of ignorance_).

Some friend who"s living at the castle?

BRICHANTEAU (_low_).

Crows Are also black and love the smell of death.

Keep silence more than ever. "Tis a face That"s treacherous and evil; it would make A madman prudent.

[_The Marquis de Nangis re-enters; he is still absorbed in a deep reverie. He walks slowly, does not appear to notice any one, and seats himself upon a bank of turf._

SCENE III

_The same._ Marquis de Nangis

LAFFEMAS (_approaching The Marquis_).

Marquis, we"ve lost much.

He was a rare man; would have comforted Your old age. I mingle my tears with yours.

Young, handsome, good, naught more could be desired; Obeying G.o.d, respecting women, strong; Just in his actions, sensible in speech, A perfect n.o.bleman, whom all revere!

To die so young! Most cruel fate! Alas!

[_The Marquis lets his head fall on his hands._

SAVERNY (_low to Brichanteau_).

The devil take this funeral discourse!

These praises but augment the old man"s grief.

Console him, you; Show him the other side.

BRICHANTEAU (_to Laffemas_).

You are mistaken, sir. I was in the Same grade. A bad comrade, this Saverny-- A shiftless fellow, growing worse each day.

Courageous! Every man is brave at twenty; His death is nothing much to boast about.

LAFFEMAS.

A duel! Surely, that is no great crime.

[_Banteringly to Brichanteau, pointing to his sword._

You are an officer?

BRICHANTEAU (_in the same tone, pointing to Laffemas"s wig_).

A magistrate?

SAVERNY (_low_).

Go on!

BRICHANTEAU.

He was capricious, thankless, and A liar: not worth any real regret.

He went to church, but just to ogle girls.

He was a gallant, a mere libertine, A fool!

SAVERNY (_low_).

Good! good!

BRICHANTEAU.

Intractable and stubborn; Rude to his officers. As to good looks, He had lost his; he limped, had a large wen Upon his eye; from blonde had turned to red, And from round-shouldered had become hump-backed.

SAVERNY (_low_).

Enough!

BRICHANTEAU.

He gambled--every one knows that.

He would have staked his soul on dice. I"ll wager That cards had eaten up his property.

His fortune galloped faster every night.