Act 3 — Act III

Scene—A field by the castle of Beaugenoy. A great gap has been made in the outer wall, through which looms the castle-keep. Two workmen are covering the gap with a vast black cloth.

A Workman: If they would hang the two young gentlemen Outside the wall, the cardinal could see The execution without breaking down The ramparts in this way.

His Mate: Could he not come Through the great gate?

A Workman: What! In a litter borne By four-and twenty men? No! Richelieu Travels in greater state than any king. He enters, like a conqueror, through the breach Made in the castles of our noblemen. He means to kill them all, they say.

His Mate: And now He comes in his great litter through this wall, To see these poor boys hanged? What cruelty!

A Workman: Now come and see the gallows we have built.

[As they depart, Marion arrives at the castle gate. She knocks, but before the door opens, Laffemas, Richelieu's agent, gallops up.

Marion: An order from the king.

The Gatekeeper: You cannot pass.

Laffemas: An order from the cardinal.

The Gatekeeper: Pass in.

Marion: I have a pardon for two prisoners!

Laffemas: And I the document revoking it! The cardinal is coming here to-night To see the execution. It is fixed For nine o'clock.

Marion: Then there is no more hope! Oh, God! Oh, God! My Didier must die! Nothing can save him!

Laffemas: You can, Marion. Yes, you can still! I will let Didier escape If, Marion, you will——

Marion: No!

Laffemas: Then he dies!

Marion: And if he lives, I lose him. (A long silence.) He shall live.

[She goes into the castle with Laffemas. Didier and Saverny appear, guarded by the jailer and his men. It is now night.

The Jailer (in a whisper to Saverny): You can escape. The Marquis of Nangis Has made all preparations for the flight.

Saverny: For both of us?

The Jailer: No; only you. And that May cost me my own life.

Saverny: Well, save my friend.

The Jailer: I cannot.

Saverny: Then I must remain with him. (To Didier) They will hang us, friend, to-night.

Didier: Are you sure, Saverny, she is Marion de Lorme? On your honour, are you sure?

Saverny: Yes, I am. I cannot understand you, Didier. Are you not proud to think that you have made So great a conquest?

Didier: And I thought she was As innocent as she was beautiful!

Saverny: She loves you. You should be content with that. You will not die while Marion de Lorme Lives. And I hope that she will not forget I am your friend, but come and save me, too.

[It grows darker Saverny falls asleep. Marion comes out of the gate carrying a bundle, and accompanied by Didier.

Marion: Put on these clothes. Richelieu has arrived; Can you not hear the guns announcing him?

Didier: Raise your eyes! Raise your eyes, and look at me! What sort of man, think you, am I? A fool, Or libertine?

Marion (trembling, as she fixes her eyes passionately on his): I love you Didier, More than my life. Your eyes are terrible. What have I done? Am I not your Marie?

Didier: Marie? Or Marion de Lorme?

Marion: Didier, Forgive me! I—I—meant to tell you all. I feared to lose you if you learnt my name. You had redeemed me by your love. I longed To raise all memories of my former self, And live a new life with you, Didier. For, oh, I love you, and I love you still, Deeply and truly! Didier, be kind, Or you will kill me!

Didier: How have you obtained This favour for me? Why is Laffemas Risking his neck by letting me escape?

Marion: Not now! I cannot tell you now! Fly! Fly! Hark, they are coming! Do not stop to speak. Save yourself!

Didier: No; I have no wish to live! Thank God, here is the headsman!

[A Headsman, carrying his axe, appears with a crowd of soldiers, officials, and Saverny.

Marion (falling to the earth): Didier!

Saverny: What a shame To rob me of my sleep!

The Headsman (grimly): The time has come To put you both to bed.

Saverny (gaily): A headsman! Good! I like the axe much better than the rope.

Didier (embracing him): Good-bye, my friend!

Marion (clinging to him): And me! Didier, me! Will you not say good-bye to me?

Didier (wildly, as the soldiers drag him off): No! No! My heart is breaking! Oh, Marie, Marie! I love you. I was wrong!

Marion: You pardon me?

Didier: I ask your pardon. Think of me sometimes. Good-bye, my darling. [He is dragged behind the wall.

An Official (catching Marion in his arms as she falls): All hope is not lost. Look, here is Richelieu! Go and plead with him.

[The castle guns are fired. The cloth, hiding the great breach in the wall, drops. The Cardinal comes in his gigantic scarlet litter, borne by twenty-four footguards. Scarlet curtains conceal him from the shouting mob.

Marion (dragging herself on her knees to the litter): In the name of God, oh, my Lord Cardinal, Pardon these two poor boys!

A Voice (from the litter): No pardon!

[The litter passes on, and the crowd surges through the wall after it. Marion is left alone.

FOOTNOTES: