A duel--excellent!

SAVERNY (_to Didier)._

Where shall we fight?

DIDIER.

Beneath the street-lamp.

Ga.s.se.

Gentlemen, you"re mad!

You cannot see. You"ll put your eyes out.

DIDIER.

Humph!

There"s light enough to cut each other"s throat.

SAVERNY.

Well said!

VILLAC.

You can see nothing.

DIDIER.

That"s enough!

Each sword is lightning flashing in the dark.

Come, Marquis!

[_Both throw off their cloaks, take off their hats with which they salute each other, throwing them afterward on the ground. Then they draw their swords._

SAVERNY.

At your service, sir.

DIDIER.

Now! _Garde!_

[_They cross swords and fence, silently and furiously. Suddenly the small door opens, Marion in a white dress appears._

SCENE IV

_The same._ Marion

MARION.

What is this noise?

[_Perceiving Didier under the lamp._ Didier!

[_To the combatants._] Stop!

[_They continue._] Ho! The guard!

SAVERNY.

Who is this woman?

DIDIER (_turning_).

Heaven!

BOUCHAVANNES (_running, to Saverny_).

All is lost!

That woman"s cry went through the town.

I saw the archers" rapiers flash.

[_The Archers with torches enter._

BRICHANTEAU (_to Saverny_).

Seem dead, Or you will be so!

SAVERNY (_falling down_).

Ah!

[_Low to Brichanteau, who bends over him._

Oh, d.a.m.n these stones.

[_Didier, who thinks he has killed him, pauses._

CAPTAIN OF THE DISTRICT.

Hold! In the King"s name!

BRICHANTEAU (_to the n.o.blemen_).

We must save the Marquis.

He"s a dead man if he is caught.

[_The n.o.blemen surround Saverny._

CAPTAIN OF THE DISTRICT.

Zounds, sirs!