LAFFEMAS (_looking from the locket to the barn_).

"Tis she--Marion de Lorme! [_Aside._] I have him now!

[_To Saverny._] She must have a companion "mongst these men.

SAVERNY.

It"s likely. Such fair ladies are not prudes, And seldom travel round the world alone.

LAFFEMAS (_aside_).

I"ll guard this door. It will go hard, indeed, If I can"t capture that false actor here.

He"s taken now--no doubt of that! [_Goes out._

SAVERNY (_watches the exit of Laffemas: aside_).

I think I"ve done a foolish thing.

[_Taking Gracieux aside, who all this time has stood in a corner gesticulating and running over his lines: in a whisper._

Who is that lady Sitting within the shadow there?

[_Indicating the door of the barn._

GRACIEUX.

Chimene?

[_Solemnly._] My lord, I do not know her name. Ask him, This lord, her n.o.ble friend.

[_Exits on the side of the park._

SCENE VII

Didier, Saverny

SAVERNY (_turning toward Didier_).

This gentleman?

Tell me-- "Tis strange how hard he looks at me!

Upon my soul, "tis he! My man! [_Loud to Didier._] If you Were not in prison, I should say that you Resemble a--

DIDIER.

And if you were not dead, I"d say That you had the exact appearance of-- His blood be on his head!--a man whom two Short words of mine put in a tomb.

SAVERNY.

Hush! You Are Didier!

DIDIER.

Marquis Gaspard, you!

SAVERNY.

"Twas you Who were somewhere, a certain night! "Tis you To whom I owe my life!

[_He opens his arms. Didier draws back._

DIDIER.

Excuse surprise!

I felt so sure I took it back.

SAVERNY.

Not so!

You saved me--did not kill me! Let me know What I can do for you. Do you desire A second--brother--a lieutenant? Speak!

What will you have--my blood, my wealth, my soul?

DIDIER.

Not any of those things. That portrait there!

[_Saverny gives him the portrait; he looks at it, speaking with bitterness._

Yes, there"s her brow, her black eyes, her white neck; Above all, there"s her candid glance! How like!

SAVERNY.

You think so?

DIDIER.

This was made for you, you say?

SAVERNY (_bowing, and making an affirmative sign_).

It was! But now "tis you whom she prefers, You whom she loves and chooses "mongst us all.

You are a happy man.

DIDIER (_with loud and mocking laugh_).

Yes! Am I not?

SAVERNY.

Accept my compliments; she"s a good girl, And loves no one but men of family.