DE BUC Ah, I am vexed. Messieurs, mesdames, the Baron of Morbec Silence enjoined, or the tale I’d have told! The abbé is so bold— THE ABBÉ De Buc’s so proud! And just because he brought us help from Vannes! The red Hussars to hive the bees again! THE ENGLISHMAN The seigneur and his peasants are at odds? THE ABBÉ Slightly! COUNT LOUIS (_complacently_) Henri was hated! Hate descends With the land. DE L’ORIENT There is a girl of these parts— COUNT LOUIS Eh? DE L’ORIENT She plays the firebrand. COUNT LOUIS Bah! DE L’ORIENT She hath The loveliest face! COUNT LOUIS Hm! THE ABBÉ I am unscathed. De Vardes is slightly wounded! ALL Oh! COUNT LOUIS Morbleu! And how did it happen, Monsieur l’Abbé? THE ABBÉ Behold us at our ease in the great hall, De Vardes and I, a-musing o’er piquet! Voltaire beside us, for we read “Alzire,” A wine as well, more suave than any verse; A still and starlit night, soft, fair, and warm; Wax-lights, and roses in a china bowl. He laid aside his sword and I my cap, All tranquilly at home, the Two Estates! He held carte blanche, I followed with quatorze. The roses sweetly smelled, the candles burned, At peace we were with nature and mankind.— A crash of painted glass! a whirling stone! A candle out! the roses all o’erturned! The thunder of a log against our doors! A clattering of sabots! a sudden shout! _Morbec, Morbec, it is thy Judgment Night! Admission, admission, Aristocrats!_ Red turns the night, the servants all rush in. _Sieur! Sieur!_ the lackeys moan and wring their hands. _Give, give!_ the terrace croaks. _Burn, Morbec, burn!_ The great bell swings in the windy tower Till the wolves in the forest pause to hear. _Fall, Morbec, fall! France has no need of thee!_ Upsprings a rosy light! a smell of smoke! Mischief’s afoot! The Baron of Morbec Lays down his cards and takes his rapier up, Hums _Le Sein de sa Famille_, shuts _Alzire_, Resignedly rises— COUNT LOUIS (_rubbing his hands_) Expresses regret That monsieur his guest— THE ABBÉ