_The same._ Marion, The Jailer
THE JAILER (_to Marion)._
Be sure to come at the appointed hour.
[_Goes up stage; during the rest of this scene he continues to walk up and down at the back._
MARION (_advances with tottering steps as if absorbed in some desperate thought. Every now and then she draws her hand across her face as if to rub off something_).
His lips, like red-hot iron, have branded me!
[_Suddenly she discovers Didier, gives a cry, runs and throws herself breathless at his feet._
Didier--Didier!
DIDIER (_roused with a start_).
Here, Marion! My G.o.d!
[_Coldly._] "Tis you?
MARION.
Who should it be? Oh, leave me here-- Here at your feet! It is the place I love!
Your hands, your dear loved hands, give them--your hands!
Oh, they are wounded! Those harsh chains did that.
The wretched creatures! But I"m here--you know-- Oh, it is terrible! [_She weeps; her sobs are audible._
DIDIER.
Why do you weep?
MARION.
Why? Didier, I"m not weeping! No, I laugh!
[_She laughs._ We"ll soon escape from here! I laugh. I"m happy.
You will live; the danger"s pa.s.sed.
[_She falls again at Didier"s feet and sobs._
My G.o.d!
All this is killing me! I"m broken--crushed.
DIDIER.
Madame--
MARION (_rises, without hearing him, and gets the bundle and brings it to him_).
Now hurry! We have not much time!
Take this disguise. I"ve bribed the sentinels.
We"ll leave Beaugency without being seen.
Go down that street, at the wall"s end, out there!
The Cardinal will come to see them execute His orders; we can"t lose an instant now.
The cannon will be fired when he arrives, And we"ll be lost if we should still be here.
DIDIER.
"Tis well!
MARION.
Quick! hurry! Didier, you are saved!
To be free! Didier, how I love you--G.o.d!
DIDIER.
You say a street where the wall ends?
MARION.
I do.
I saw it. I"ve been there. It is quite safe.
I saw them close up the last window, too.
It may be we shall meet some women, but They"ll think you"re just a pa.s.ser-by. Come, love; When you are far off--please put on these things-- We"ll laugh to see you thus disguised. Come, dear!
DIDIER (_pushing the clothes aside with his foot_).
There is no hurry.
MARION.
Death waits at the door.
Fly! Didier! Since I"ve come!
DIDIER.
Why did you come?
MARION.
To save you! What a question to ask me!
Why such a freezing tone?
DIDIER (_with a sad smile_).
Ah, well! We men Are often senseless.