style="font-size:15px;"> I speak as I feel—and you, did you achieve your ends?
COCONNAS
By God—not everyone is favored like you by Gods and Goddesses. I luckily met a German—very agreeable for a German—we had nothing to say! But recognizing in me a good Catholic, he escorted me to Mr. de Guise—with whom I have some business.
(to Hurière who is entranced)
Well, what are you up to there? Are you listening to us?
LA HURIÈRE
(hat in hand)
Yes, gentlemen, I am listening—but to serve you. What can I do for you, sirs?
COCONNAS
Ah! Ah! The name of Guise is magic—as it appears, for from being insolent, you have become servile—Do you think my hand is less heavy than Mr. Guise, which has the privilege of making you so polite?
LA HURIÈRE
No, Count, but it is less long—besides—you must be told that the Great Henry is our idol—of Parisians like me.
LA MÔLE
Which Henry, if you please?
LA HURIÈRE
I only know of one.
LA MÔLE
Ah—but I, I know several. And there is one I invite you to your particular attention, my friend—not to speak ill of.
LA HURIÈRE
Which one?
LA MÔLE
His Majesty, King Henry of Navarre.
LA HURIÈRE
I don’t know him.
(He makes a sign to Coconnas.)
LA MÔLE
Clown!
(He rises.)
COCONNAS
Now—what are you doing?
LA MÔLE
I am leaving the table, no longer being hungry.
COCONNAS
I am truly annoyed by that. I counted on waiting in your honorable company until the moment for returning to the Louvre.
LA MÔLE
You are returning to the Louvre?
COCONNAS
Yes, sir.
LA MÔLE
And I, too.
COCONNAS
At what time?
LA MÔLE
I have a rendezvous just about now.
COCONNAS
I, too.
LA MÔLE
Is that so! But do you know there is a strange link between our destinies? Where you come, I come; where you go, I go.
COCONNAS
In that case, listen—one cannot eat when one is no longer hungry but one can still drink when you’re no longer thirsty. Let’s drink until the time! And we will go to the Louvre together.
LA MÔLE
I ask your pardon—in agreeing to your invitation, I fear I might bring to the Louvre ideas not as clear as those expected of me. But who is our host talking with?
(La Hurière is seen on the street, very hot to speak with Maureval.)
COCONNAS
He’s talking—the devil take me—he’s talking with the same individual—
LA MÔLE
Huh? The same individual.
COCONNAS
Yes—with the same person he was already talking with when we arrived—the man in the German cloak. Oh, oh, what fire he puts into it. Hey, say, Master La Hurière are you playing politics by chance?
LA HURIÈRE
(with a terrible gesture)
Ah—rogue!
COCONNAS
(rising and going to him)
What’s wrong with you, my friend? Are you possessed?
LA HURIÈRE
(seizing the hand of Coconnas)
Silence! Wretch! Silence on your life!
COCONNAS
Oh! Oh!
LA HURIÈRE
Get rid of your friend, without losing a minute; we have to speak to you, this gentleman and I.
MAUREVAL
It must be done, do you understand?
COCONNAS
By God! It seems this is serious.
MAUREVAL
It cannot be more serious.
LA MÔLE
(from the house)
Well—what are you deciding?
COCONNAS
I think you are right, and it would be better for each of us to guard his own head.
(he reenters)
So—a last cup of wine. To your fortune.
LA MÔLE
To yours, sir.
COCONNAS
Are you retiring?
LA MÔLE
Yes, I am fatigued. It is only eleven o’clock—I have a rendezvous at the Louvre at midnight—and I wouldn’t be sorry to throw myself on my bed for an hour. Master La Hurière.
LA
