[_Lightning and thunder._ LALAIN _walks to the door in the wall, tries it, then with a stone from the ground beats back the rusty bolt_. LALAIN An easy door! YVETTE The moon will shine— LALAIN I’ll go this way, ma foi! Not by the wall! YVETTE The silver poplars sway! LALAIN René de Vardes, once I did call thee friend And took a deal of pride in that possession! How runs the world away! ‘Twas long ago! YVETTE Ah, ah, that fearful dream I had last night! And while I dreamed they walked beside the Loire! LALAIN This night he rides away. Didst know? YVETTE I knew! LALAIN He’s said farewell to thee, but not to her! YVETTE Wilt thou begone! LALAIN Ay, through this door, Yvette! ‘Tis easy, as thou seest. And ah, to-night— The storm o’er past and shining bright the moon And the cold nuns all telling o’er their beads, How simple ‘twere—O priceless liberty! Thou wouldst not be the only one, I trow, Who may not walk beside the silver Loire! YVETTE Name of a name! LALAIN Adieu, adieu! To-night I’ll see thee sitting in the galleries— [_Exit_ LALAIN. YVETTE Ah, how the thunder shakes the air! [_She moves to the door in the wall and replaces the bolt, then returns to the fountain._ ‘Tis so! He is her lover! Oh, he loves her true!— What will they say and whisper all the night Through light and shadow on the road to Vannes? Despair!—But I’ll not stay within these walls! [_Knocking at the door in the wall._ YVETTE _crosses the stage to the door_. Who is there? SÉRAPHINE (_within_) Yvette! Yvette! YVETTE Séraphine! SÉRAPHINE (_within_) And Nanon too! YVETTE The deputy’s sister! NANON Let us in! YVETTE I dare not. SÉRAPHINE What! YVETTE Wait: I dare!