THE VIDAME Mille diables! The wretches all go free! COUNT LOUIS Is this Morbec? Mort de ma vie! What is it that you do, Monsieur le Baron de Morbec? DE VARDES My pleasure, Monsieur le Comte de Château-Gui, upon My peasants of Morbec! _CURTAIN_ [Illustration] [Illustration] _ACT II_ _The garden of the Convent of the Visitation at Nantes. Long lines of fruit trees which appear to sleep in the sunshine. In the middle of the garden a stone fountain, where rises and falls a little jet of water. To the left the white buildings of the convent; in the background, between the convent and the street, a high garden wall, the tops of trees, and the roof and spire of a church. There is a barred door in the wall. The doors and windows of the convent parlour giving upon the garden are open. It is the summer of 1792._ _A nun appears for a moment at the door of the convent, then vanishes, and_ DE VARDES _and_ YVETTE _enter the garden_. DE VARDES What hast thou learned to-day? YVETTE In history: The battles of Rossbach and of Minden! The Peace of Paris— DE VARDES Indeed! YVETTE Philosophy: Man is born free—but who will break his chains? DE VARDES It is a question truly! YVETTE Theology: God is the father of us all—and yet I think I know how feels an orphan child! DE VARDES Defeat of France, Rousseau, and Modern Doubt! And hast thou learnt all this in convent walls? YVETTE No! DE VARDES They are good to thee, the Sisters all? YVETTE Monseigneur, yes! DE VARDES When I did place thee here After that day thou didst not burn Morbec! I gave the Reverend Mother straitest charge,— This convent oweth much to the De Vardes. They have enriched it oft, and it in turn Refuge hath given unto noble dames. Oft did she sit beside the fountain there, That Duchess Jeanne whose look thou wearest now! YVETTE Oh!— DE VARDES How mournfully thou sighest! Yet How glorious are thine eyes this lovely day! Thou’rt well, and thou art happy, art thou not? YVETTE