What's that? CYRANO. You cannot imagine? GUICHE. No! CYRANO. The tide!.... As it was running out, in obedience to the attraction of the moon, I lay on the sands--head foremost, so that my hair--hair, you know, does not dry fast--so that my hair was kept bathed in the receding waves. And, thus I was, by the moon's attraction, drawn up, up, erect, like an angel. And up I went, gently, without an effort, until suddenly, I felt a shock!.... Then!.... GUICHE (_interested, takes a seat on the bench_). Then?.... CYRANO. Then.... (_resuming his natural tone_). The fifteen minutes have elapsed, Sir, and now I grant you your freedom. The marriage is accomplished! GUICHE (_jumping up_). Am I intoxicated?.... That voice! (_The door of Roxane's house opens; lackeys come out with lighted candelabra. Cyrano takes off his hat that he had kept well down over his face._) And that nose!.... Cyrano! CYRANO (_bowing_). In person.... Cyrano! They have just exchanged their marriage rings. GUICHE. They!.... Who? (_He turns. Tableau. Behind the lackeys, Roxane and Christian holding each other by the hand. The Monk, smiling, follows them. Ragueneau is behind, also holding a light. And last is the Duenna, bewildered, half dressed, as if she had been hurried out of bed._) Merciful heavens! [22] Note.--_Cucurbit_ ("cucurbite") for moon is, in French, as odd as it appears in English. The oddity of the expression, that assimulates Luna to the rotund melon, pumpkin, etc., of the genus of plants known as _cucurbita_, is in keeping with Cyrano's intentional extravagance of speech. _SCENE XII._ _The same._ ROXANE, CHRISTIAN, THE MONK, RAGUENEAU, LACKEYS, THE DUENNA. GUICHE (_to Roxane_). You, Roxane! (_Astounded on recognising Christian_) and he? (_Bowing admiringly to Roxane._) You are admirably shrewd! (_To Cyrano_) My compliments to you, Sir, as an inventor. Your narrative would have stopped a saint at the gate of heaven! Do not forget to write that book! CYRANO (_bowing_). I promise, Sir, to follow your advice. THE MONK (_with an air of satisfaction calling Guiche's attention to the two lovers_). A beautiful couple, my son, and good work of yours! GUICHE (_very coldly_). Yes. (_to Roxane_) Be good enough to bid farewell, Madam, to your husband. ROXANE. How so? GUICHE (_to Christian_). Your regiment is about to march. Join it immediately! ROXANE. Is it going to the war?