Queen Margot: A Play in Five Acts. Александр Дюма
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to us?
LA HURIÈRE
(hat in hand)
Yes, gentlemen, I am listening—but to serve you. What can I do for you, sirs?
COCONNAS
Ah! Ah! The name of Guise is magic—as it appears, for from being insolent, you have become servile—Do you think my hand is less heavy than Mr. Guise, which has the privilege of making you so polite?
LA HURIÈRE
No, Count, but it is less long—besides—you must be told that the Great Henry is our idol—of Parisians like me.
LA MÔLE
Which Henry, if you please?
LA HURIÈRE
I only know of one.
LA MÔLE
Ah—but I, I know several. And there is one I invite you to your particular attention, my friend—not to speak ill of.
LA HURIÈRE
Which one?
LA MÔLE
His Majesty, King Henry of Navarre.
LA HURIÈRE
I don’t know him.
(He makes a sign to Coconnas.)
LA MÔLE
Clown!
(He rises.)
COCONNAS
Now—what are you doing?
LA MÔLE
I am leaving the table, no longer being hungry.
COCONNAS
I am truly annoyed by that. I counted on waiting in your honorable company until the moment for returning to the Louvre.
LA MÔLE
You are returning to the Louvre?
COCONNAS
Yes, sir.
LA MÔLE
And I, too.
COCONNAS
At what time?
LA MÔLE
I have a rendezvous just about now.
COCONNAS
I, too.
LA MÔLE
Is that so! But do you know there is a strange link between our destinies? Where you come, I come; where you go, I go.
COCONNAS
In that case, listen—one cannot eat when one is no longer hungry but one can still drink when you’re no longer thirsty. Let’s drink until the time! And we will go to the Louvre together.
LA MÔLE
I ask your pardon—in agreeing to your invitation, I fear I might bring to the Louvre ideas not as clear as those expected of me. But who is our host talking with?
(La Hurière is seen on the street, very hot to speak with Maureval.)
COCONNAS
He’s talking—the devil take me—he’s talking with the same individual—
LA MÔLE
Huh? The same individual.
COCONNAS
Yes—with the same person he was already talking with when we arrived—the man in the German cloak. Oh, oh, what fire he puts into it. Hey, say, Master La Hurière are you playing politics by chance?
LA HURIÈRE
(with a terrible gesture)
Ah—rogue!
COCONNAS
(rising and going to him)
What’s wrong with you, my friend? Are you possessed?
LA HURIÈRE
(seizing the hand of Coconnas)
Silence! Wretch! Silence on your life!
COCONNAS
Oh! Oh!
LA HURIÈRE
Get rid of your friend, without losing a minute; we have to speak to you, this gentleman and I.
MAUREVAL
It must be done, do you understand?
COCONNAS
By God! It seems this is serious.
MAUREVAL
It cannot be more serious.
LA MÔLE
(from the house)
Well—what are you deciding?
COCONNAS
I think you are right, and it would be better for each of us to guard his own head.
(he reenters)
So—a last cup of wine. To your fortune.
LA MÔLE
To yours, sir.
COCONNAS
Are you retiring?
LA MÔLE
Yes, I am fatigued. It is only eleven o’clock—I have a rendezvous at the Louvre at midnight—and I wouldn’t be sorry to throw myself on my bed for an hour. Master La Hurière.
LA HURIÈRE
Count?
LA MÔLE
Escort me to my room, I beg you. Awake me at midnight. I will be completely dressed and ready quickly.
COCONNAS
Fine! Same as me. I am going to make all my preparations. Master La Hurière, give me some blank paper and scissors so I can cut off my seal.
LA HURIÈRE
But, wretch, you have still sworn?
(aloud)
Gregory, this gentleman asks for some blank paper and some scissors to trim the envelope! Come, Mons. de La Môle, come.
(He goes up the staircase, lighting La Môle.)
COCONNAS
(aside)
Decidedly, something extraordinary is happening here.
LA MÔLE
(going up)
Good evening, Monsieur de Coconnas. And good luck at the Louvre!
(La Môle and La Hurière go out. Maureval is at the far door.)
COCONNAS
Ah,—what have I just done?
MAUREVAL
What have you done, sir? You almost revealed, just now, a secret on which depends the fate of the realm. That’s what you’ve done. From good fortune, God has willed that your mouth be closed in time by our worthy host. A word more and you would be dead. Now—we are alone, hear me.
COCONNAS
Just a moment, sir. Who are you, if you please, to speak to me with such a tone of command?
MAUREVAL
By chance, have you heard the name of the Sire Louviers de Maureval?
COCONNAS
The murderer of Captain de Mouy? Yes, doubtless.
MAUREVAL
Well, I am he.
COCONNAS
Oh!