MARION (_alone, shuts the door by which Saverny went out_). Go-- Go quickly! Oh, I feared lest Didier-- [_Midnight strikes._ Hark! It's striking midnight! Didier should be here! [_She goes to the balcony and looks into the street._ No one! [_She comes back and sits down impatiently._ Late! To be late--so soon! [_A young man appears behind the balustrade of the balcony, jumps over it lightly, enters, places his cloak and sword on the armchair. Costume of the day: all black: boots. He takes one step forward, pauses_ _and contemplates Marion, sitting with her eyes cast down._ At last! [_Reproachfully._ To let me count the hour alone! DIDIER (_seriously_). I feared To enter! MARION (_hurt_). Ah! DIDIER (_without noticing it_). Down there, outside the wall, I was o'ercome with pity. Pity? yes, For you! I, poor, accursed, unfortunate, Stood there a long time thinking, ere I came! "Up there an angel waits," I thought, "in virgin grace, Untouched by sin--a being chaste and fair, To whose sweet face shining on life's pathway Each passer-by should bend his knees and pray. I, who am but a vagrant 'mongst the crowd, Why should I seek to stir that placid stream? Why should I pluck that lily? With the breath Of human passion, why should I consent To cloud the azure of that radiant soul? Since in her loyalty she trusts to me, Since virtue shields her with its sanctity, Have I a right to take her gift of love, To bring my storms into her perfect day?" MARION (_aside_). This is theology, it seems to me! I wonder if he is a Huguenot? DIDIER. But when your tender voice fell on my ear, I wrestled with my doubts no more--I came. MARION. Oh, then you heard me speaking--that is strange! DIDIER. Yes; with another person. MARION (_quickly_). With Dame Rose! She talks just like a man, don't you think so? Such a strong voice! Ah, well, since you are here I am no longer angry! Come, sit down. [_Indicating a place at her side._ Sit here! DIDIER. No! at your feet. [_He sits on a stool at Marion's feet and looks at her for some moments in complete silence._