[25] Note.--Intentional affectation, like that of "his indisposition was sentenced, for high treason." _SCENE VI._ _The same_, LE BRET _and_ RAGUENEAU. LE BRET. How imprudent! I was sure of it! He is here! CYRANO (_smiling and straightening himself up_). Of course, I'm here! LE BRET. It is suicide, Madam, for him to have left his bed! ROXANE. Great God! But just now, then....this weakness?.... this fainting? CYRANO. Oh! by the way, I did not finish my weekly chronicle: ....and Saturday, 26th, one hour before dinner, Monsieur de Bergerac was assassinated in the street. (_He takes off his hat, and his head is seen wrapped in bandages._) ROXANE. What did he say?--Cyrano!--his poor head!.... What have they done to you? CYRANO. "And in my heart a sword's ennobling point!" --So said I once!.... What mockery in fate!.... And now I'm killed ignobly from behind, O'erpowered by a lackey with a log. I missed my life; my death's a failure too! RAGUENEAU. Oh! sir....Oh! sir.... CYRANO. Good Ragueneau, grieve not so!.... (_Extends his hand to him._) And what are you doing now, my brother poet? RAGUENEAU (_through his tears_). I am the one who.... who snuffs the candles at Molière's.[26] CYRANO. Molière! RAGUENEAU. But I shall leave him to-morrow. For I am indignant!.... Yesterday he gave _Scapin_, and I saw that he had taken from you a whole scene! LE BRET. Entire? RAGUENEAU. Yes, sir; the famous: "What the deuce was he doing?...." LE BRET (_to Cyrano_). Molière has robbed you! CYRANO. Hush! hush! he did well!.... (_to Ragueneau_). The scene was very effective, was it not? RAGUENEAU (_sobbing_). Oh! sir, what a laugh! what a laugh! through the whole audience! CYRANO. My life, you see, is all in this: I've been The one who prompts--and ever is forgot! (_to Roxane_). Do you recall the night when Christian spoke His love for you--beneath your balcony? The words were mine, and mine the fondest thoughts; But I remained below, unknown, in darkness, while Another went aloft to gather light and love! 'Tis justice, and my dying breath approves; Molière has genius, Christian's beauty won. (_The chapel bell sounds. Sisters pass in the rear, going to evening service._) It's time for prayer; the bell that tolls is right!