Oh, do not cheat me! Give me truth, Marie! If to my ardent love your love responds, The world holds no possession rich as mine! My whole life, kneeling at your feet, will be One sigh of speechless, blinding ecstasy. But do not cheat me! MARION. Do you want a proof Of love, my Didier? DIDIER. Yes! MARION. Then speak! DIDIER. You are-- Quite free? MARION (_embarrassed_). Free? Yes! DIDIER. Then take me for a brother, For a protector--be my wife? MARION (_aside_). His wife! Ah, why am I not worthy? DIDIER. You consent? MARION. I--can-- DIDIER. Don't say it, please--I understand! An orphan, without fortune! What a fool! Give back my pain, my gloom, my solitude! Farewell! [_He starts to go; Marion holds him back._ MARION. Didier, what are you saying? [_She bursts into tears._ DIDIER. True! But why this hesitation? [_Going back to her._ Can't you feel The ecstasy of being, each to each, a world, A country, heaven; in some deserted spot To hide a happiness kings could not buy. MARION. It would be heaven! DIDIER. Will you have it? Come! MARION. [_Aside._] Accursed woman! [_Aloud._] No, it cannot be. [_She tears herself from out his arms, and falls on the armchair._ DIDIER (_freezingly_). The offer was not generous, I know. You've answered me. I'll speak of it no more! Good-by! MARION. (_aside_). Alack, the day I pleased him! [_Aloud._] Stay! I'll tell you. You have hurt me to the soul. I will explain-- DIDIER (_coldly_). What were you reading, madame, When I came? [_Takes the book from the table and reads._ "To Marion de Lorme. Love's Garland!" Yes, the beauty of the day! [_Throwing the book violently to the floor._ Vile creature! a dishonor to her sex! MARION. (_trembling_). But--she-- DIDIER. What are you doing with such books? How came they here? MARION. (_inaudibly, and looking down_). They came by chance. DIDIER. Do you-- You who have eyes so pure, a brow so chaste-- Do you know what she is--this woman? Well, She's beautiful in body, and deformed In soul! A Phryne, selling everywhere, To every man, her love, which is an insult, An infamy! MARION (_her head in her hands_). My God! [_A noise of footsteps, a clashing of swords outside, and cries._ VOICE IN THE STREET. Help! Murder! Help! DIDIER (_surprised_). What noise is that out there upon the square? [_Cries continue._ VOICE IN THE STREET. Help! Murder! Help! DIDIER (_looking from the balcony_). They're killing some one! Ha!