LAFFEMAS (_eagerly_). Well, what would you do? GRACIEUX (_putting the purse into his pocket_). I'd take The whole of it, and I would say-- [_With profound obeisance._ I thank you; You are a gentleman! LAFFEMAS (_aside, furious_). Plague on the monkey! GRACIEUX (_aside, laughing_). The devil take the cat! LAFFEMAS (_aside_). They have agreed On what to do, if any one suspects. 'Tis a conspiracy. They'll all be dumb; Accursed gypsy devils! [_To Gracieux who is going away._ Give me back My purse! GRACIEUX (_turning around, with tragic tone_). What do you take me for, my lord? What will the world think of us, pray, if you Propose and I agree to anything So infamous as sell for gold a life, My soul? [_Turns to go._ LAFFEMAS. That's as you please; but give me back My money! GRACIEUX. No, I keep my honor, sir, And we have no accounts to settle. [_He salutes him and re-enters barn._ SCENE IX LAFFEMAS (_alone_). Humph! The wretched juggler! Pride in such base souls! If you some day should fall into my hands Unoccupied with better sort of game-- But this will not find Didier! Now, I can't Take all this crowd and put them to the torture. This is worse work than hunting needles in A haystack. Faith! a chemist's crucible Bewitched I ought to have, which, eating up The lead and copper, would reveal at last The golden ingot hid by much alloy. Go to the Cardinal without my prize? [_Striking his brow._ That's it! The clever thought! Oh, joy! He's mine! [_Calling through the barn door._ Ho, gentlemen, comedians! one word, please. [_The actors crowd out of the barn._ SCENE X _The same. Comedians, among them Marion and Didier; afterward Saverny, afterward Marquis de Nangis_ SCARAMOUCHE (_to Laffemas_). What do you want with us? LAFFEMAS. Without preamble: My lord the Cardinal commissioned me To find good actors, if there may be such Within the provinces, to act the plays Which he constructs in hours of leisure when Allowed by State affairs. In spite of care And earnest thought, his theater declines, And is no credit to a cardinal-duke. [_All the actors press eagerly forward. Saverny enters, and watches the scene with curiosity._ GRACIEUX (_aside, counting his money_). Twelve only! He said twenty. The old scamp! He's robbed me! LAFFEMAS. Let each one repeat some scene, That I may know your talents and may choose. [_Aside._] If he gets out of that, this Didier's sharp. [_Aloud._] Are you all here? [_Marion stealthily approaches Didier and tries to lead him off._ GRACIEUX (_going up to them_). Come with the others--you! MARION. Oh, heaven! [_Didier leaves her and joins the actors; she follows him._