She is charming in that dress. So you are my successor! One might say, As King Louis succeeded Pharamond. The Brissacs, both of them, supplanted me. [_Laughing._] Then, yes, the Cardinal himself came next, Then little D'Effiat, then the three Sainte-Mesmes, The four Argenteans! In her heart you'll find The best society. [_Laughing._] A little numerous. DIDIER (_aside_). My God! SAVERNY. Tell me about it some time. Now, To be quite frank with you, I pass for dead, And in the morning shall be buried. You Must have escaped police and seneschals. Your Marion can manage everything! You joined a strolling company by chance; What a delightful history! DIDIER. Yes, true It is a history! SAVERNY. To get you out She probably made love to all the jailers. DIDIER (_in a voice of thunder_). Do you think that? SAVERNY. You are not jealous--what? Oh, joke incredible!--of Marion! A man jealous of Marion! The poor child! Don't go and scold her! DIDIER. Have no fear. [_Aside._] The angel-- It was a demon! Oh, my God! [_Enter Laffemas and Gracieux. Didier goes out; Saverny follows him._ SCENE VIII Laffemas, Gracieux GRACIEUX (_to Laffemas_). My lord, I do not understand you! [_Aside._] Humph! A costume Of Alcaid and a figure of police; Small eyes, adorned with big eyebrows! I think He plays the part of Alguazil in this Locality. LAFFEMAS (_pulling out his purse_). My friend! GRACIEUX (_drawing near, low to Laffemas_). My lord--I see! Chimène has interested you. You wish To know-- LAFFEMAS (_low, smiling_). Who is her Roderick? GRACIEUX. You mean Her lover? LAFFEMAS. Yes! GRACIEUX. Who groans beneath her spell? LAFFEMAS (_impatiently_). There's one? GRACIEUX. Of course! LAFFEMAS (_approaching him eagerly_). Then show him to me, quick! GRACIEUX (_with profound obeisance_). It's I, my lord. I'm mad about her! LAFFEMAS. You! [_Laffemas, disappointed, turns away with annoyance; then he comes back and shakes his purse in Gracieux's eyes and ears._ Know you the sound of ducats? GRACIEUX. Heavenly tones! LAFFEMAS (_aside_). I've got my Didier! [_To Gracieux._] Do you see this purse? GRACIEUX. How much! LAFFEMAS. Gold ducats--twenty! GRACIEUX. Humph! LAFFEMAS (_jingling the gold in his face_). Will you? GRACIEUX (_grabbing the purse from him_). Most certainly! [_With theatrical tone to Laffemas, who listens anxiously._ My lord, if your back bore Just in the center a great hump, as big As is your belly, and if those two bags Were filled with louis, sequins, and doubloons, In that case--