There is no hunger here, no cold, no care! I ever wished to learn and here I learn, Here where the Duchess Jeanne did sit forlorn,— And then I pray within the chapel there, And then I count the stars as they are lit,— And then I think of all the lights of Nantes! DE VARDES It hath been many days I’ve been away, To Morbec and to Vannes and to Vitré. YVETTE I thought that thou wouldst never come again! DE VARDES Didst think the night had ceased to long for day? Didst think the tide no more obeyed the moon? The reed no longer bowed unto the wind? YVETTE Ah, do not jest!—There’s blood upon thy coat! DE VARDES ‘Tis nothing!—We have had hard words to-day, My men and I! [_He gazes around at the quiet garden._ O holy peace! O balm! O green and sunny quietude! Outside There’s tumult, heat, confusion, enmity! Here is a haven, here ‘tis blissful sweet! [_They sit upon the marge of the fountain._ All is dismay and doubt in France to-day. With troubled eyes men question destiny! Outside I front the storm as best I may, But here is anchorage profound and fair— There fruit trees drifting bloom, this fountain marge! YVETTE I better love the wild and desolate shore! DE VARDES What is that ribbon closed within thy hand? [_Yvette opens her hand and shows a ribbon cockade._ The tricolour! YVETTE Wilt thou not wear it? DE VARDES No! YVETTE It was my favour—Fare you well, monsieur! DE VARDES I might not wear that ribbon, no, not if It were thy favour truly, Vivien! Ah, when will cease this discord of our minds? Wilt thou forever be a Jacobin? [_A distant bugle, followed by a roll of drums and martial music._ YVETTE _Aux armes, Citoyens! Formez vos bataillons!_ DE VARDES Where learned’st thou the Marseillaise? YVETTE ‘Tis in the air! Oh, on these moonlight nights I dream of France and how he spoke to me Of all the wrongs of France we should redress! DE VARDES Who spoke to thee? YVETTE Rémond Lalain. DE VARDES Rémond Lalain was once my closest friend. He travels now a dark and winding way! YVETTE