style="font-size:15px;"> Count?
LA MÔLE
Escort me to my room, I beg you. Awake me at midnight. I will be completely dressed and ready quickly.
COCONNAS
Fine! Same as me. I am going to make all my preparations. Master La Hurière, give me some blank paper and scissors so I can cut off my seal.
LA HURIÈRE
But, wretch, you have still sworn?
(aloud)
Gregory, this gentleman asks for some blank paper and some scissors to trim the envelope! Come, Mons. de La Môle, come.
(He goes up the staircase, lighting La Môle.)
COCONNAS
(aside)
Decidedly, something extraordinary is happening here.
LA MÔLE
(going up)
Good evening, Monsieur de Coconnas. And good luck at the Louvre!
(La Môle and La Hurière go out. Maureval is at the far door.)
COCONNAS
Ah,—what have I just done?
MAUREVAL
What have you done, sir? You almost revealed, just now, a secret on which depends the fate of the realm. That’s what you’ve done. From good fortune, God has willed that your mouth be closed in time by our worthy host. A word more and you would be dead. Now—we are alone, hear me.
COCONNAS
Just a moment, sir. Who are you, if you please, to speak to me with such a tone of command?
MAUREVAL
By chance, have you heard the name of the Sire Louviers de Maureval?
COCONNAS
The murderer of Captain de Mouy? Yes, doubtless.
MAUREVAL
Well, I am he.
COCONNAS
Oh! Oh!
MAUREVAL
Hear me carefully.
COCONNAS
By god, I believe I do! I am listening attentively.
MAUREVAL
Hush! Wait!
(He indicates a noise above his head. At the same moment, the room on the first floor lights up. La Môle enters with La Hurière.)
COCONNAS
It’s nothing; it’s my companion who’s setting in.
LA HURIÈRE
(above)
Here’s your room.
LA MÔLE
(above)
Marvelous! Don’t forget to waken me at midnight.
LA HURIÈRE
Be easy!
MAUREVAL
Listen, the hour is striking—listen.
(The clock strikes, they count.)
COCONNAS
Eleven o’clock.
MAUREVAL
Fine! La Hurière is shutting the door. He’s coming down. Come, master, come!
LA HURIÈRE
(returning)
We are alone. Let’s have a seat.
MAUREVAL
Everything is carefully shut up?
LA HURIÈRE
Yes—and Gregory is standing guard outside. Are you there, Gregory?
GREGORY
(in the street)
Yes, master.
LA HURIÈRE
(to Coconnas)
Sir, are you a good Catholic?
COCONNAS
By God, since the day of my baptism, I have boasted so.
MAUREVAL
Sir, are you devoted to the King?
COCONNAS
Body and soul.
MAUREVAL
Then you are going to follow us.
COCONNAS
So be it! But, I warn you that at midnight, I have business at the Louvre.
MAUREVAL
That’s exactly where we are going.
COCONNAS
I have a meeting with the Duke de Guise.
MAUREVAL
We do, too.
COCONNAS
I have a password.
MAUREVAL
We do, too.
COCONNAS
A personal sign of recognition.
MAUREVAL
We do, too. And wait, this will spare you the trouble of making a cross on paper.
(He pulls from his pocket three white crosses, giving one to La Hurière, the other to Coconnas and keeping the third for himself.)
COCONNAS
Oh, oh—this rendezvous, this word of the day—this rallying sign—is it for everybody?
MAUREVAL
Yes, sir—that is to say—for all
