Marion de Lorme — Act 4
SCENE I
_Duke de Bellegarde, rich court costume covered with embroidery and lace, the order of the Holy Ghost around his neck, and the star upon his cloak.
Marquis de Nangis, in deep mourning and followed by his escort of Guards.
Both cross the back of the hall_ DUKE DE BELLEGARDE.
Condemned?
MARQUIS DE NANGIS.
Condemned!
DUKE DE BELLEGARDE.
E'en so!
The King can pardon.
It is his kingly right and royal duty.
Have no more fear.
In heart as well as name He's son of Henry IV.
MARQUIS DE NANGIS.
I was his comrade.
DUKE DE BELLEGARDE.
Indeed, we spoiled full many a coat of armor For the proud sire!
Now go unto the son, Show him your gray hairs, and in lieu of prayer Cry out "Ventre Saint Gris!"
Let Richelieu Himself give better reason!
Hide here now.
[_He opens a side door.
_ He's coming soon.
Do you know, to be frank, Your costume's of a style to make one laugh.
MARQUIS DE NANGIS.
Laugh at my mourning?
DUKE DE BELLEGARDE.
Ah, these coxcombs here!
Old friend, stay there; you'll not have long to wait.
I will dispose him 'gainst the Cardinal.
I'll stamp upon the ground for signal; then Come out.
MARQUIS DE NANGIS (_grasping his hand_).
May God repay you!
DUKE DE BELLEGARDE (_to a Musketeer who walks up and down in front of a small gilt door_).
Monsieur, pray, What does the King?
MUSKETEER.
He's working, my lord duke!
[_Lowering his voice.
_ A man in black is with him.
DUKE DE BELLEGARDE (_aside_).
At this moment He is singing a death-warrant, I believe.
[_To the old Marquis, grasping his hand.
_ Be brave!
[_He conducts him to a neighboring gallery.
_ While waiting for the signal, look At these new ceilings, they're by Primatice.
[_Both go out.
Marion, in deep mourning, enters through the great door in the back, which opens on a staircase.
_ SCENE II
_Marion, the Guards_ HALBERDIER (_to Marion_).
Madame, you cannot enter!
MARION (_advancing_).
Sir!
HALBERDIER (_placing his halberd against the door_).
I say, No entrance!
MARION (_with contempt_).
Here you turn your lance against A woman.
Elsewhere, 'tis in her defense.
MUSKETEER (_laughing, to Halberdier_).
Well said!
MARION (_firmly_).
I must immediately have audience With the Duke de Bellegarde.
HALBERDIER (_lowering his halberd, aside_).
Ah, these gallants!
MUSKETEER.
Enter, madame.
[_She enters with determined step.
_ HALBERDIER (_aside, watching her from the corner of his eye_).
Well, the old duke is not As feeble as he looks.
This rendezvous Would have cost him a sojourn in the Louvre, In former times.
MUSKETEER (_making sign to Halberdier to keep still_).
The door is open.
[_The little gilt door is opened.
M.
de Laffemas comes out, holding in his hand a parchment to which a red seal hangs by strands of silk.
_ SCENE III
_Marion, Laffemas: gesture of surprise from both.
Marion turns away from him with horror_ LAFFEMAS (_low, advancing slowly toward Marion_).
You!
What is your errand here?
MARION.
What's yours?
LAFFEMAS (_unrolls the parchment and spreads it out before her eyes_).
Signed by The King!
MARION (_glances at it, then buries her face in her hands_).
Good God!
LAFFEMAS (_speaking in her ear_).
Will you?
[_Marion shivers and looks him in the face; he fixes his eyes on hers: lowering his voice.
_ Wilt thou?
MARION (_pushing him away_).
Away!
Foul tempter!
LAFFEMAS (_straightening himself up, sneeringly_).
You will not!
MARION.
I have no fear!
The King can pardon: 'tis the King who reigns.
LAFFEMAS.
Go try him.
See what his good will is worth!
[_He turns away, then turns back: folds his arms and whispers to her.
_ Beware of waiting until I refuse!
[_Exits.
Duke de Bellegarde enters.
_ SCENE IV
Marion, Duke de Bellegarde MARION (_going toward Duke de Bellegarde_).
Here you are captain, my lord duke.
DUKE DE BELLEGARDE.
'Tis you, My beauty!
[_Bowing.
_ Speak!
What does my queen desire?
MARION.
To see the King.
DUKE DE BELLEGARDE.
When?
MARION.
Now!
DUKE DE BELLEGARDE.
This is short notice!
Why?
MARION.
For something!
DUKE DE BELLEGARDE (_bursting into a laugh_).
We will send for him!
How she goes on!
MARION.
Then you refuse me?
DUKE DE BELLEGARDE.
Nay!
Am I not yours?
Have we refused each other Anything?
MARION.
That's very well, my lord!
When shall I see the King?
DUKE DE BELLEGARDE.
After the Duke.
I promise you shall see him when he passes Through this hall.
But while waiting, talk with me!
Ah, little woman, are we good?
In black?
Lady-in-waiting you might be.
You used To laugh so much.
MARION.
I don't laugh now.
DUKE DE BELLEGARDE.
Indeed!
I think she's weeping!
Marion!
You?
MARION (_wiping her eyes: with firm tone_).
My lord, I want to see his Majesty at once!
DUKE DE BELLEGARDE.
For what?
MARION.
Just Heaven!
For-- DUKE DE BELLEGARDE.
Is it against The Cardinal?
MARION.
It is!
DUKE DE BELLEGARDE (_opening the gallery for her_).
Please enter here.
I put the discontented all in there;
Do not come out before the signal, please.
[_Marion enters; he shuts door.
_ I would have run the risk for my old friend.
It costs no more to do it for them both.
[_The hall is gradually filled with Courtiers; they talk together.
Duke de Bellegarde goes from one to the other.
L'Angely enters.
_ SCENE V
_The same.
Duke de Beaupréau, Laffemas, Viscount de Rohan, Count de Charnacé, Abbé de Gondi, and other courtiers_ DUKE DE BELLEGARDE (_to Duke de Beaupréau_).
Good-morning, Duke!
DUKE DE BEAUPRÉAU.
Good-morning!
DUKE DE BELLEGARDE.
Any news?
DUKE DE BEAUPRÉAU.
There's talk of a new cardinal.
DUKE DE BELLEGARDE.
Which one?
The Archbishop of Arle?
DUKE DE BEAUPRÉAU.
No!
Bishop of Autun.
All Paris thinks he has obtained the hat.
ABBÉ DE GONDI.
'Tis his by right.
He was commander of Artillery at the siege of La Rochelle.
DUKE DE BELLEGARDE.
That's true!
L'ANGELY.
The Holy See has my approval.
This one will be a cardinal according To the canons.
ABBÉ DE GONDI (_laughing_).
L'Angely--the fool!
L'ANGELY (_bowing_).
My lord knows all my names.
[_Laffemas enters; all the Courtiers vie with each other in paying court to him and surrounding him.
Duke de Bellegarde watches them with vexation.
_ DUKE DE BELLEGARDE (_to_ L'Angely).
Fool, who's that man Who wears the ermine cloak?
L'ANGELY.
Whom every one Is paying court to?
DUKE DE BELLEGARDE.
Yes.
I know him not.
Is he a follower of Monsieur d'Orleans?
L'ANGELY.
They would not fawn on him so much.
DUKE DE BELLEGARDE (_watching Laffemas, who struts about_).
What airs!
As if he were grandee of Spain!
L'ANGELY (_low_).
It is Sir Laffemas, intendant of Champagne, Lieutenant-Criminal-- DUKE DE BELLEGARDE (_low_).
Infernal, say!
He's called the Cardinal's executioner?
L'ANGELY (_still low_).
The same.
DUKE DE BELLEGARDE.
That man at Court!
L'ANGELY.
Why not?
One extra Tiger-cat in the menagerie!
Shall I present him?
DUKE DE BELLEGARDE (_haughtily_).
Peace, you fool!
L'ANGELY.
I think I'd cultivate him if I were a lord.
Be friendly!
Unto each man comes his day.
If he takes not your hand, he may your head.
[_He seeks Laffemas, presents him to Duke de Bellegarde, who bows with ill-concealed displeasure.
_ LAFFEMAS (_bowing_).
Sir Duke!
DUKE DE BELLEGARDE.
Sir, I am charmed-- [_Aside.
_] Upon my life, We're fallen low, Monsieur de Richelieu!
[_Laffemas walks away.
_ VISCOUNT DE ROHAN (_bursting into laughter among a group of Courtiers in the back of the hall_).
Delightful!
L'ANGELY.
What?
VISCOUNT DE ROHAN.
That Marion is here.
L'ANGELY.
Here--Marion?
VISCOUNT DE ROHAN.
We were just saying this: "Chaste Louis's guest is Marion."
How rich!
L'ANGELY.
A charming piece of wit, indeed, my lord!
DUKE DE BELLEGARDE (_to Count de Charnacé_).
Sir wolf-hunter, have you found any prey?
Is hunting good?
COUNT DE CHARNACÉ
There's nothing!
Yesterday I had great expectations, for three peasants Had been devoured by wolves.
At first I thought We would find several at Chambord.
I beat The woods, but not a wolf, nor trace of one!
[_To L'Angely.
_] Fool, know you anything that's gay?
L'ANGELY.
Nothing, My lord, except two men will soon be hanged At Beaugency for dueling.
ABBÉ DE GONDI.
So little, Bah!
[_The small gilt door is opened.
_ AN USHER.
The King!
[_The King enters; he is in black, his eyes are cast down.
The order of the Holy Ghost is on his doublet and his cloak.
Hat on his head.
The Courtiers all uncover and range themselves, silently, in two rows.
The Guards lower their pikes and present muskets.
_ SCENE VI
_The same.
The King.
The King enters slowly, passes through the crowd of Courtiers, without lifting his head, stops at front of stage, and stands for several instants absorbed and silent.
The Courtiers retire to the back of the hall_ THE KING.
All things move on from bad to worse.
Yes, all!
[_To Courtiers, nodding his head.
_ God keep you, gentlemen!
[_He throws himself into a large armchair and sighs profoundly.
_ I have slept ill!
[_To Duke de Bellegarde.
_ My lord!
DUKE DE BELLEGARDE (_advancing with three profound salutations_).
The time for sleeping, sire, is past.
THE KING (_eagerly_).
True, Duke!
The State is rushing to destruction With giant strides!
DUKE DE BELLEGARDE.
'Tis guided by a hand Both strong and wise.
THE KING.
He bears a heavy burden, Our good lord cardinal!
DUKE DE BELLEGARDE.
Sire!
THE KING.
He is old.
