The Dramas of Victor Hugo: Mary Tudor, Marion de Lorme, Esmeralda Part 38

Beauvillain?

SAVERNY.

Is still in love.

MARION.

Cereste?

SAVERNY.

Adores you yet.

MARION.

And Pons?

SAVERNY.

Oh, as for him, he hates you!

MARION.

Proof He is the only one who loves me! Well, The President?

[_Laughing._] The old man! What's his name?

[_Laughing more heartily._ Leloup!

SAVERNY.

He's waiting for you, and meanwhile He keeps your portrait and sings odes to it.

MARION.

He's loved me two years now, in effigy.

SAVERNY.

He'd much prefer to burn you. Tell me how You keep away from such dear friends.

MARION (_serious, and lowering her eyes_).

That's just The reason, Marquis; to be frank with you, Those brilliant follies which seduced my youth Have given me much more misery than joy.

In a retreat, a convent cell, perhaps, I want to try to expiate my life.

SAVERNY.

I'll wager there's a love-tale behind that.

MARION.

You dare to think--

SAVERNY.

That never a nun's veil Surmounted eyes so full of earthly fire.

It could not be. You love some poor provincial!

For shame! To end a fine romance with such A page!

MARION.

It isn't true!

SAVERNY.

Let's make a wager!

MARION.

Dame Rose, what time is it?

DAME ROSE (_outside_).

Almost midnight!

MARION (_aside_).

Midnight!

SAVERNY.

That is a most ingenious way Of saying, "Time to go."

MARION.

I live retired, Receiving no one, and unknown to all.

Besides, 'tis dangerous to be out late: The street is lonely, full of robbers.

SAVERNY.

Well, They can rob me.

MARION.

And oftentimes they kill!

SAVERNY.

Good! they can kill me.