YVETTE Citoyen! THE ABBÉ A melting eye! YVETTE Citoyen! THE ABBÉ Dame! She is only good to burn châteaux! [_He joins_ COUNT LOUIS, _etc. They walk and talk beneath the trees._ YVETTE The high of heart bide no man’s scorning! I Will break these bonds! I will be free! I will! O royal mount of love, snow-high, sun-kissed, Kissed by the sun which once did shine on me! If I am of the fields— [_Her hand touches the mark upon her throat. She laughs._ O hated flower, Which grew beneath no hedgerow on this earth! Teach me, thou poison blossom, pride of heart! Where is that Duchess Jeanne whom I am like? They say for love her heart did rive in twain, But now she smiles beside a shadowy stream In some far land where none do die of love! And where is he, Jehan the fisherman, Who loved Yvonne, who met the sea and died? They died for love who should have lived for hate! I’ll live— _Enter_ DE VARDES. COUNT LOUIS, _etc., come forward_. Oh, here’s the soldier! Now we’ll know How blow the winds around the camp of love! COUNT LOUIS What is it, René de Vardes? What is it, man? DE VARDES The King hath left the Tuileries! The mob Forced the château and put his life in danger. The Swiss are murdered, cut down to a man! The Grenadiers joined with the Marseillaise! De Maillé writes—the courier’s just arrived— All is distraction, danger, and despair! SISTER FIDELIS Alas! MLLE. DE CHÂTEAU-GUI O Ciel! THE ABBÉ The soldiers in revolt. DE L’ORIENT The Swiss all murdered—the stanch Swiss! SISTER SIMPLICIA Alas! COUNT LOUIS The King hath left the Tuileries! DE VARDES To-night I ride to Paris. YVETTE O God! THE ABBÉ To Paris! As well say that you ride to death, De Vardes! COUNT LOUIS Ah, were I young again, I’d ride with you! SISTER FIDELIS Alas, they say it is a fearful place! SISTER SIMPLICIA It is so safe in Nantes! DE VARDES