_ACT I_ THE MEETING Scene.--_Blois. A bed-chamber. A window opening on a balcony at the back. To the right, a table with a lamp, and an armchair. To the left a door, covered by a portière of tapestry. In the background a bed_ SCENE I _Marion de Lorme, in a very elegant wrapper, sitting beside the table, embroidering. Marquis de Saverny, very young man, blonde, without mustache, dressed in the latest fashion of 1638_ SAVERNY (_approaching Marion and trying to embrace her_). Let us be reconciled, my sweet Marie! MARION (_pushing him away_). Not such close reconciliation, please! SAVERNY (_insisting_). Just one kiss! MARION (_angrily_). Marquis! SAVERNY. What a rage! Your mouth Had sweeter manners, not so long ago! MARION. Ah, you forget! SAVERNY. No, I remember, dear. MARION (_aside_). The bore! the tiresome creature! SAVERNY. Speak, fair one! What does this swift, unkind departure mean? While all are seeking you at Place Royale, Why do you hide yourself at Blois? Traitress, What have you done here all these two long months? MARION. I do what pleases me, and what I wish Is right. I'm free, my lord! SAVERNY. Free! Yes. But those Whose hearts you've stolen, are they also free? I? Gondi, who omitted half his Mass The other day, because he had a duel Upon his hands for you? Nesmond, D'Arquien, The two Caussades, Pressigny, whom your flight Has left so wretched, so morose, even Their wives wish you were back in Paris, that They might have gayer husbands! MARION (_smiling_). Beauvillain? SAVERNY. Is still in love. MARION. Cereste? SAVERNY. Adores you yet. MARION. And Pons? SAVERNY. Oh, as for him, he hates you! MARION. Proof He is the only one who loves me! Well, The President? [_Laughing._] The old man! What's his name? [_Laughing more heartily._ Leloup! SAVERNY. He's waiting for you, and meanwhile He keeps your portrait and sings odes to it. MARION. He's loved me two years now, in effigy. SAVERNY. He'd much prefer to burn you. Tell me how You keep away from such dear friends. MARION (_serious, and lowering her eyes_). That's just The reason, Marquis; to be frank with you, Those brilliant follies which seduced my youth Have given me much more misery than joy. In a retreat, a convent cell, perhaps, I want to try to expiate my life. SAVERNY. I'll wager there's a love-tale behind that. MARION. You dare to think-- SAVERNY. That never a nun's veil Surmounted eyes so full of earthly fire. It could not be. You love some poor provincial! For shame! To end a fine romance with such A page! MARION. It isn't true! SAVERNY. Let's make a wager! MARION.