Act 3 — SCENE II.
Charles Renauld translation
ROXANE, GUICHE, THE DUENNA, at a distance.
ROXANE (to Guiche, with a curtsey).
I was just going out.
GUICHE.
And I have come to take leave, before starting for the front.
ROXANE.
Oh!....
GUICHE.
I am ordered to the siege of Arras....
ROXANE.
Oh!....
GUICHE.
.... and I go to-night.
ROXANE.
Oh!....
GUICHE.
My departure does not seem to distress you greatly....
ROXANE.
Oh!....
GUICHE.
.... But I seriously grieve over it. Shall I ever see you again?.... When?.... By the way, I have been given a high command.
ROXANE (indifferent).
I congratulate you!
GUICHE.
The Guards regiment.
ROXANE (interested).
Oh! the Guards?
GUICHE.
Yes, the regiment in which is your cousin, the man of boastful words. I'll have my revenge when I get him at the siege.
ROXANE (overcome).
What! the Guards are going there?
GUICHE (laughing).
Of course, since they are now my regiment.
ROXANE (sinking on the bench—aside).
Christian!
GUICHE.
What ails you?
ROXANE (moved).
This.... departure.... grieves me sorely. To know that those you.... care for.... are going to battle!
GUICHE (surprised and pleased).
Why is it I hear words so sweet only on the day of my departure?
ROXANE (changing her manner and using her fan).
So, then, you mean to seek revenge on my cousin Cyrano?
GUICHE (surprised).
Do you take his part?
ROXANE.
I? Not at all. I am against him.
GUICHE.
Do you see him often?
ROXANE.
Very seldom.
GUICHE.
I meet him everywhere.... with one of those cadets.... this Neu.... vil.... Neuvil....
ROXANE.
A tall man?
GUICHE.
A blond.
ROXANE.
Red-haired, rather.
GUICHE.
Handsome!....
ROXANE.
For some, perhaps, but....
GUICHE.
But very stupid.
ROXANE.
So it struck me! (changing her manner).
....Your revenge as regards Cyrano no doubt consists in holding him under fire, which he relishes. So I hardly see great vengeance for you in that. I can tell you, though, what would wound him to the quick!....
GUICHE.
And that is?....
ROXANE.
To have his regiment and his dear cadets remain, so long as there is war, right here, in Paris, inactive! The only way to punish him is to deprive him of danger.
GUICHE.
Woman! Woman! No one but a woman would think of such a scheme!
(getting closer to Roxane).
You have then some regard for me? (She smiles.) The fact that you take sides with me, Roxane, is, in my eyes, a proof of love.
ROXANE.
It is one.
GUICHE (showing several sealed papers).
I have the orders here for every company, and they shall be sent immediately, except....
(he takes one out of the batch) this one! It is for the cadets, and (puts it into a pocket)
I hold it back! Ha! ha! Cyrano....so eager for the fray! And so you play with people as with mice, Roxane?
ROXANE.
Sometimes!
GUICHE (quite close to her).
You enthrall me! Roxane, listen. To-night—yes, I know, I must depart. But leave you when I feel that you are moved!....I cannot. Hear me! Close by here is the convent of the Capuchin fathers. Laymen cannot enter it; but, as the fathers serve my uncle Richelieu, they have some regard for his nephew, and they will give me a place of concealment. Officially, I shall have left for the front, but I shall return to you under the cover of a mask. Allow me to delay my departure a few hours, dear waywardness!
ROXANE.
But if you are discovered! Your reputation....
GUICHE.
I'll risk it.
ROXANE.
But the siege.... Arras....
GUICHE.
I care not. Grant me your permission!
ROXANE.
No!
GUICHE.
Do!
ROXANE (affectionately).
My duty says that I must forbid! I beseech you, go!
(aside).
Christian remains here!
(aloud).
I would have you be a hero—Antoine!
GUICHE.
Celestial word!—And so you love the one....
ROXANE.
For whom I tremble? Yes!
GUICHE (enraptured).
'Tis well, I leave!
(Kisses her hand.)
Are you satisfied?
ROXANE.
Yes, dearest friend!
(Exit Guiche.)
THE DUENNA (curtseying mockingly behind Guiche).
Yes, dearest friend.
ROXANE (to Duenna).
Not a word, if you please. Cyrano would never forgive me for stealing his war from him!
(calling toward the house).
Cousin!