Act 4 — SCENE II
Reading edition
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.