MARION.

But--

SAVERNY.

You are divine!

But I"ll not stir one foot before I know Who this gay shepherd is, who"s routed us!

MARION.

There"s no one!

SAVERNY.

I will be discreet. We courtiers, Whom people think so mad, so curious And spiteful, are maligned. We gossip, but We never talk! You"re silent?

[_Sits down._] Then I"ll stay!

MARION.

What does it matter? Well, it"s true! I love!

I"m waiting for him!

SAVERNY.

That"s the way to talk!

That"s right! Where is it you expect him?

MARION.

Here!

SAVERNY.

When?

MARION.

Now! [_She goes to the balcony and listens._ Hark! that is he perhaps.

[_Coming back._] "Tis not.

Now are you satisfied?

SAVERNY.

Not quite!

MARION.

Please go!

SAVERNY.

I want to know his name, this proud gallant, For whose reception I am thus dismissed.

MARION.

Didier is all the name I know for him.

Marie is all the name he knows for me.

SAVERNY (_laughing_).

Is"t true?

MARION.

Yes, true!

SAVERNY.

This is a pastoral, And no mistake. "Tis Racan, pure! To enter, I have no doubt he scales the wall.

MARION.

Perhaps.

Please go! [_Aside._] He wearies me to death!

SAVERNY (_becoming serious_).

Of course He"s n.o.ble.

MARION.

I don"t know.

SAVERNY.

What?

[_To Marion, who is gently pushing him toward the door._

I am going! [_Coming back._ Just one word more! I had forgotten. Look!

[_He draws a book out of his pocket and gives it to Marion._

An author who is not a fool, did this.

It"s making a great stir.

MARION (_reading the t.i.tle_).

"Love"s Garland"--ah!