God, Monsignor, that would be difficult for me because this lady had her face hidden under an ample scarf.
ROHAN
But didn’t she name her companion?
COUNTESS de la MOTTE
Indeed—once, by her baptismal name.
ROHAN
Which is?
COUNTESS de la MOTTE
Andrea—
ROHAN
(aside) Andrea de Taverney—the Queen! The Queen here! Indeed, these mysterious ramblings in Paris are indeed in her habits.
COUNTESS de la MOTTE
What’s wrong with you, Monsignor, you seem very upset?
ROHAN
Say that I am happy, Countess, happy at the luck which is befalling you—because with the protectress you have conquered today, it is impossible that within a short time the whole world won’t take an interest in you.
COUNTESS de la MOTTE
But this protectress?
ROHAN
Is called Marie-Antoinette, Archduchess of Austria, Queen of France.
COUNTESS de la MOTTE
The Queen—
ROHAN
(boldly) Yes, Countess, the Queen, who you certainly seduced and conquered as—
COUNTESS de la MOTTE
As—?
ROHAN
As you must seduce and conquer all those who have the privilege of approaching you—
COUNTESS de la MOTTE
(bitterly) Ah! Monsignor, ask valets who have escorted me out, chambermaids who kicked me out the door, Swiss who’ve given me my walking papers!
ROHAN
The nightmare is over, since the Queen is extending her tutelary hand to you—and, meanwhile, if you wish to do me a favor, you will not speak of accepting my protection—As God is not pleased that I utter this word which humiliates me more than you—but to consider me as a friend—devoted and sincere—I would regard myself as your obligee.
COUNTESS de la MOTTE
The offer is too delicately put to be rejected.
ROHAN
(kissing her hand) Then we are friends, it is signed—
COUNTESS de la MOTTE
It is sworn.
ROHAN
In that case, Countess, make me a promise?
COUNTESS de la MOTTE
What?
ROHAN
Friends pay each other visits, right? Promise me to return the one I have made you today?
COUNTESS de la MOTTE
Oh! Monsignor, you can’t be thinking of it, for me to go to your hotel!
ROHAN
Soon you will be going to a minister’s.
COUNTESS de la MOTTE
A minister is not a man, Monsignor Rohan—
ROHAN
You are adorable. Well, it’s not a question of my hotel. I know a house—
COUNTESS de la MOTTE
(ironic) A small house—
ROHAN
No, Madame—a house—yours.
COUNTESS de la MOTTE
(coquettishly) Mine—and where’s that? I don’t know this house—
ROHAN
Would you allow me to show it to you this evening? And once you have seen it, would you do me the favor of inviting me to supper there?
COUNTESS de la MOTTE
(aside) Cagliostro—were you then speaking the truth?
(aloud) Ah! Monsignor, I was hoping that Your Eminence would deign to remember that if God has made me poor, he at least left me the pride of my rank.
ROHAN
See here, Countess, I will make you angry telling you that you are lodged in a manner little agreeable to a woman of your name. On the other hand, as a friend, you are granting me, I think the favor of seeing you sometimes. In a furnished hotel, my visits loan themselves to nasty remarks, to scandal; if you knew how mean they are to me—! And that’s why I am asking of you the service of accepting the lodging I am offering you. You see, humiliation in all this?
COUNTESS de la MOTTE
Pardon, Monsignor, because you are forcing me to confess there does not exist a man more delicate than you.
ROHAN
(who has written in his notebook) Here’s the address of your dwelling! I am placing it in this box.
(he considers the box and shuts the address in it) On the subject of this box, now that you know the name of your benefactress, you won’t fail to return it to Her Majesty.
COUNTESS de la MOTTE
I won’t fail.
ROHAN
Say there, Countess, once you’ve conquered the Queen, in your turn, you will protect me.
COUNTESS de la MOTTE
Near the Queen?
ROHAN
Alas, I am not in her good books.
(passionately) And that desolates me—because I would have given my life to—
COUNTESS de la MOTTE
To please her—
ROHAN
(stopping abruptly) To please her—yes, Countess—for one is not Prime Minister if one is not agreeable to Her Majesty.
COUNTESS
