MARTHA (_putting her arms around MAGDALENE’S neck_) Magdalene!... Listen to me!... You used to love me.... What has come to you?... Tell me it is not true.... You have not heard.... MARY CLEOPHAS (_putting her hand on MAGDALENE’S shoulder_) Magdalene, Magdalene!... No, it is impossible.... You cannot have forgotten.... A POOR MAN How much did you receive?... A MAN CURED BY A MIRACLE Yes, how much?... Where is the money?... ANOTHER Give back the gold! Give back the gold!... Search her!... MARY SALOME Magdalene! Magdalene!... She is mad!... A VAGRANT Harlot!... Soldiers’ wench!... ANOTHER Strumpet! Strumpet! Strumpet! A MAN CURED BY A MIRACLE The seven devils whom he cast out have entered her body again!... ANOTHER She has sold us like a herd of oxen!... A SICK MAN We shall all have to suffer!... ANOTHER Yes, but not before she does!... THE MAN WHOSE HAND WAS WITHERED She shall not go from here until.... A PALSIED MAN In any case, she shall not go hence alive, take my word for it!... (_Almost ALL, shouting, gesticulating, threatening, with clenched fists, crowd round MAGDALENE, who remains motionless and dumb._) JOSEPH OF ARIMATHÆA (_intervening_) Come, come, do not forget who you are, where you are nor in whose name you are speaking. (_To VERUS_) Sir, I beg of you, a little patience.... I am a just and reasonable man; and everything will be explained.... Listen, Magdalene, I am speaking to you in his name.... There is still time to say yes.... I am speaking as a father.... (_MAGDALENE maintains her motionless silence._) THE HUNCHBACK You see!... She has received the price!... (_An explosion of hatred. ALL surround her more closely. The cries, the threats, the imprecations, the entreaties, the moans are redoubled. Suddenly, in the street, rises a tumult which drowns that in the Supper-room. It is the shouting of an angry crowd approaching swiftly, the sound of arms and horses. The uproar in the room is at once lulled. ALL listen, anxiously._) A MAN CURED BY A MIRACLE The Romans!... The soldiers!... They are coming to arrest us!... She has betrayed us!... Let us fly!... This way, this way!... (_ALL lose their heads. Some run wildly round the room, seeking for an outlet._) A VAGRANT No, no!... Do not go out!... There is only one door!... We cannot escape!... They would discover us!... A MAN CURED BY A MIRACLE Be silent!... Hide yourselves!... A CRIPPLE Why do you not put out the lamps?... They will see the lights!... Quick! Quick! Put out the lamps!... (_The lamps are put out._) ANOTHER Do not go to the windows!... Do not show yourselves at the windows!... Lie down along the walls!... VERUS It is a noble spectacle and I long to see it out.... JOSEPH OF ARIMATHÆA (_going up to VERUS_)