SAVERNY (_low, pulling his sleeve_).

Enough! Good G.o.d! Your consolation is Too strong.

LAFFEMAS.

To speak so ill of a dead friend!

Unpardonable!

BRICHANTEAU (_indicating Saverny_).

Ask this gentleman!

SAVERNY.

Oh, no; I beg to be excused!

LAFFEMAS (_affectionately, to the old Marquis_).

My lord, We"ll comfort you. We have his murderer, And we will hang him. We have kept him safe.

His end is sure.

[_To Brichanteau and Saverny._ But can one understand The Marquis? There are duels, we all know, That cannot be avoided, but to fight With any one named Didier--

SAVERNY (_aside_).

What? Didier?

[_The old Marquis, who has remained silent and motionless during all this scene, rises and goes out slowly on the side opposite where he came in. His guards follow him._

LAFFEMAS (_wiping away a tear and following him with his eyes_).

In truth, his sorrow deeply touches me.

LACKEY (_running_).

My lord!

BRICHANTEAU.

Why can"t you leave your master quiet?

LACKEY.

It is the burial of the young marquis!

What is the hour?

BRICHANTEAU.

You"ll know it by-and-by.

LACKEY.

A few comedians have arrived here from The city; they beg shelter for the night.

BRICHANTEAU.

The time"s ill-chosen for comedians, but The law of hospitality holds good.

Give them this barn.

[_Indicating a barn on the left._

LACKEY (_holding a letter_).

A letter! "Tis important!

[_Reading._] For a Monsieur de Laffemas.

LAFFEMAS.

"Tis I!

Give it to me!

BRICHANTEAU (_low to Saverny, who has remained thoughtful in a corner_).

Saverny, let us go!

Come and arrange things for your funeral!

[_Pulling him by the sleeve._ What is it? Are you dreaming?

SAVERNY (_aside_).

Oh, Didier! [_They go out._

SCENE IV

LAFFEMAS (_alone_).

The seal of State! The great seal of red wax!

Come! this is business. Let me know at once!

[_Reading._] "Sir Criminal Lieutenant: We make known To you that Didier, the a.s.sa.s.sin of The late Marquis Gaspard, has fled." My G.o.d!

That is unfortunate! "A woman is With him, called Marion de Lorme. We beg You to return as soon as possible."

Quick! Get me horses! I, who felt so sure!

Another matter spoiled for want of sense.

Outrageous! Of the two, not one! One, dead!

Escaped, the other! I will catch him, though!

[_He exits. Enter a troupe of strolling actors, men, women and children in character costumes. Among them are Marion and Didier, dressed as Spaniards. Didier wears a great felt hat and is covered with a cloak._

SCENE V