LA CONTAT. I don't like your ironical smile. When you look at me that way, I don't know what to say. Even if I did, I shouldn't say it. It would be useless: you could never understand. You may at least listen, and watch. THE PEOPLE [_outside_]. We want the Bastille! VINTIMILLE [_coldly_]. Yes, it's curious, very curious. DE LAUNEY [_in consternation_]. What the devil is urging those idiots on? THE PENSIONERS [_looking with mingled interest and sympathy through the loop-holes in the gate_]. Women --Priests!--Bourgeois!--Soldiers!--There, there's that little girl on Hulin's shoulders.--She's kicking her feet like a little devil! DE FLUE [_talking to the Swiss Guards_], Good. They're caught in a trap now, between the walls. We can get at them from the towers. DE LAUNEY. Clear the court! Smash them! [DE FLUE _and the Guards run into the Bastille through the gate leading to the towers._] BÉQUART _and the_ PENSIONERS [_murmuring_]. It's going to be a butchery!--They're hardly armed. And those children--! THE PEOPLE. We want the Bastille! [LA CONTAT _and_ VINTIMILLE _have not followed_ DE FLUE'S _and_ DE LAUNEY'S _conversation._ LA CONTAT'S _attention is wholly occupied with the People, as she listens to their shouting._] LA CONTAT [_shouting to the people outside_]. Courage! I am the first to take it! [_The beat of drums is now heard._] BÉQUART _and the_ PENSIONERS [_looking out_]. They want to parley again: they're waving handkerchiefs, signaling to us. VINTIMILLE [_also looking out_]. The Attorney is leading them. DE LAUNEY. Let's see what they want. VINTIMILLE. Cease firing! [_The Pensioners throw down their muskets. The drums are heard heating near the moat._ VINTIMILLE _and some of the Pensioners go up to the right of the gate toward an opening in the wall from which they can overlook the assailants._ VINTIMILLE _addresses the people._] What do you want? [_At the same moment a volley is fired from the upper part of the towers._ VINTIMILLE _turns._] What the devil are they doing? THE PENSIONERS _and_ DE LAUNEY [_astonished_]. The Swiss Guards are firing!--Stop them! Stop them! [_Some run to the tower gate and disappear._]