Act III: Roxane’s KissScene II
Roxane, De Guiche, the duenna standing a little way off.
Roxane
Courtesying to De Guiche
I was going out.
De Guiche
I come to take my leave.
Roxane
Whither go you?
De Guiche
To the war.
Roxane
Ah!
De Guiche
Ay, to-night.
Roxane
Oh!
De Guiche
I am ordered away. We are to besiege Arras.
Roxane
Ah—to besiege?…
De Guiche
Ay. My going moves you not, meseems.
Roxane
Nay…
De Guiche
I am grieved to the core of the heart. Shall I again behold you?…When? I know not. Heard you that I am named commander?…
Roxane
Indifferently
Bravo!
De Guiche
Of the Guards regiment.
Roxane
Startled
What! the Guards?
De Guiche
Ay, where serves your cousin, the swaggering boaster. I will find a way to revenge myself on him at Arras.
Roxane
Choking
What mean you? The Guards go to Arras?
De Guiche
Laughing
Bethink you, is it not my own regiment?
Roxane
Falling seated on the bench—aside
Christian!
De Guiche
What ails you?
Roxane
Moved deeply
Oh—I am in despair! The man one loves!—at the war!
De Guiche
Surprised and delighted
You say such sweet words to me! ’Tis the first time!—and just when I must quit you!
Roxane
Collected, and fanning herself
Thus,—you would fain revenge your grudge against my cousin?
De Guiche
My fair lady is on his side?
Roxane
Nay,—against him!
De Guiche
Do you see him often?
Roxane
But very rarely.
De Guiche
He is ever to be met now in company with one of the cadets,…one New—villen—viller—
Roxane
Of high stature?
De Guiche
Fair-haired!
Roxane
Ay, a red-headed fellow!
De Guiche
Handsome!…
Roxane
Tut!
De Guiche
But dull-witted.
Roxane
One would think so, to look at him!
Changing her tone
How mean you to play your revenge on Cyrano? Perchance you think to put him i’ the thick of the shots? Nay, believe me, that were a poor vengeance—he would love such a post better than aught else! I know the way to wound his pride far more keenly!
De Guiche
What then? Tell…
Roxane
If, when the regiment march to Arras, he were left here with his beloved boon companions, the Cadets, to sit with crossed arms so long as the war lasted! There is your method, would you enrage a man of his kind; cheat him of his chance of mortal danger, and you punish him right fiercely.
De Guiche
Coming nearer
O woman! woman! Who but a woman had e’er devised so subtle a trick?
Roxane
See you not how he will eat out his heart, while his friends gnaw their thick fists for that they are deprived of the battle? So are you best avenged.
De Guiche
You love me, then, a little?
She smiles
I would fain—seeing you thus espouse my cause, Roxane—believe it a proof of love!
Roxane
’Tis a proof of love!
De Guiche
Showing some sealed papers
Here are the marching orders; they will be sent instantly to each company—except—
He detaches one
—This one! ’Tis that of the Cadets.
He puts it in his pocket
This I keep.
Laughing
Ha! ha! ha! Cyrano! His love of battle!…So you can play tricks on people?…you, of all ladies!
Roxane
Sometimes!
De Guiche
Coming close to her
Oh! how I love you!—to distraction! Listen! To-night—true, I ought to start—but—how leave you now that I feel your heart is touched! Hard by, in the Rue d’Orleans, is a convent founded by Father Athanasius, the syndic of the Capuchins. True that no layman may enter—but—I can settle that with the good Fathers! Their habit sleeves are wide enough to hide me in. ’Tis they who serve Richelieu’s private chapel: and from respect to the uncle, fear the nephew. All will deem me gone. I will come to you, masked. Give me leave to wait till tomorrow, sweet Lady Fanciful!
Roxane
But, of this be rumored, your glory…
De Guiche
Bah!
Roxane
But the siege—Arras…
De Guiche
’Twill take its chance. Grant but permission.
Roxane
No!
De Guiche
Give me leave!
Roxane
Tenderly
It were my duty to forbid you!
De Guiche
Ah!
Roxane
You must go!
Aside
Christian stays here.
Aloud
I would have you heroic—Antoine!
De Guiche
O heavenly word! You love, then, him?…
Roxane
…For whom I trembled.
De Guiche
In an ecstasy
Ah! I go then!
He kisses her hand
Are you content?
Roxane
Yes, my friend!
He goes out.
The Duenna
Making behind his back a mocking courtesy
Yes, my friend!
Roxane
To the duenna
Not a word of what I have done. Cyrano would never pardon me for stealing his fighting from him!
She calls toward the house
Cousin!