_ACT IV_ _The interior of a church in Nantes used as a prison. Great broken windows of stained glass, purple and crimson, through which streams the sunlight. Prisoners of both sexes and all ages and conditions of life move to and fro, or lean against the pillars which support the vaulted roof. Some rest or kneel upon the steps before the altar rail. Three children play beside a broken font. Against a door at the left of the great altar lounge several turnkeys dressed in blue woollen with red liberty caps._ THE MARQUISE _sits beside a pillar. She talks with_ DE BUC _and_ ENGUERRAND LA FÔRET. _Near her are_ COUNT LOUIS _and_ MLLE. DE CHÂTEAU-GUI. DE L’ORIENT _stands upon a bench beneath a shattered window_. DE VARDES _sits at a rude table writing_. _A butterfly enters at the broken window and flutters through the church._ A CHILD The butterfly! The butterfly! MLLE. DE CHÂTEAU-GUI Oh, see Its painted wings! A CHILD There! There! MLLE. DE CHÂTEAU-GUI It comes my way!—I’ve caught it!—No! AN ACTRESS (_dressed as a shepherdess_) I! I have it fast, the pretty prisoner! DE L’ORIENT It will not stay— COUNT LOUIS It soars into the roof! No! down again on yon long ray of light!— Give chase! DE L’ORIENT Here! MLLE. DE CHÂTEAU-GUI There! THE ACTRESS Oh, oh! It sails this way, The fairy boat— DE L’ORIENT With freight of heart’s desire! THE ACTRESS I have it! COUNT LOUIS No, I! [_The butterfly lights upon his hand._ ‘Tis youth! DE L’ORIENT ‘Tis gone!— [_The butterfly brushes his shoulder._ ‘Tis joy! THE ACTRESS Fled!—Ah, ah!—‘Tis hope! [_The butterfly touches her outstretched arm, then rises again._ No longer! [_The butterfly rests upon the fair hair of_ THE MARQUISE. THE MARQUISE As I was saying, then I felt despair— [_The butterfly rises, flutters in a shaft of sunshine, then passes out of the window. The prisoners watch its flight._ A CHILD The butterfly has gone!