[_A nun rises from her knees, makes the sign of the cross, and passes out between the soldiers._ THE MARQUISE Ah me! The unknown land, just guessed at and no more, To which this loud wind sends my cockle boat!— Where are my beads? Lost, lost with all things else! Jewels and gold and friends and lovers too!— Ah, short my shrift with Grégoire glowering there. My hatred of Madame la Maréchale, I’m sorry for’t. The Captal de Montgis Once did me wrong. Well, well, I can forgive!— Sieur de Morbec, where’s she that flung us down, Lifted her finger and behold us here! Her face is fair—ah, very fair her face. She was your mistress, yes? DE VARDES No! THE MARQUISE What then? DE VARDES Cold that I warmed, and hunger that I fed. THE MARQUISE O strike her, Frost! O Hunger, with her wed! DE VARDES Ah, curse her not! She knew not what she did! THE MARQUISE Alas! Alas! GRÉGOIRE The Citoyenne L’Esparre! THE MARQUISE The women go—He’ll call my name! Ah, look! The purple saints within the windows there, See how they wave their palms and smile at me! They wave their palms, they strike their golden harps, Their aureoles are brighter than the sun! GRÉGOIRE The Citoyenne Blanchefôret! THE MARQUISE The clock has struck! DE VARDES All angels guard thee! THE MARQUISE Fatal is my name And hated through long years in Brittany. Perhaps I shall not live to cross the square! [_The noise of the mob without._ Oh, hear! DE VARDES Take courage! THE MARQUISE From the window there, Wilt watch me on my way? DE VARDES Ay! GRÉGOIRE Citoyenne! THE MARQUISE Farewell! Ah, not my hand, my friend! DE VARDES (_He kisses her upon the brow_) Farewell! Farewell— [THE MARQUISE _turns to the remaining prisoners_. THE MARQUISE