MARION.

To see you taken, bound! To see you--_there_!

Only to think it makes me die of horror!

Come! I will be a servant unto you.

Come! Take me, when I have redeemed myself, Just to have something underneath your feet.

The one you called "a wife" in times of trial--

DIDIER.

A wife! [_Cannon sounds in the distance._ This makes of you a widow, then!

MARION.

Didier!

THE JAILER.

The hour is past.

[_Rolling of drums. Enter Councilor of the Great Chamber, accompanied by penitents bearing torches, and by Executioner. A crowd of soldiers and people follow._

MARION.

Ah, Christ!

SCENE VII

_The same. Councilor, Executioner, Populace, Soldiers_

COUNCILOR.

I"m ready, Gentlemen!

MARION (_to Didier_).

I told you that he"d come!

DIDIER (_to Councilor_).

We"re ready also.

COUNCILOR.

Which is named Gaspard, Marquis de Saverny?

[_Didier points to Saverny, who is asleep._

[_To Executioner._] Awaken him!

EXECUTIONER (_shaking him_).

How well he sleeps, my lord!

SAVERNY (_rubbing his eyes_).

Ah, how could you Break in on such a pleasant sleep!

DIDIER.

"Tis only Interrupted, friend!

SAVERNY (_half awake: sees Marion and salutes her_).

Oh, I was dreaming About you, my beauty!

COUNCILOR.

Have you made Your peace with G.o.d?

SAVERNY.

I have, sir.

COUNCILOR.

It is well.

Please sign this paper!

SAVERNY (_takes the parchment, runs over it_).

"Tis the _proces-verbal_.

Good! This is a most curious thing--account Of my own death, signed with my autograph!

[_Signs, and reads the paper again: to Councilor._

You have made three mistakes in spelling, sir.

[_Takes the pen and corrects them. To Executioner._

You have awakened me; put me to sleep!

COUNCILOR (_to Didier_).

Didier!

[_Didier approaches: Councilor gives pen to him._

Your name is there.