Scene 3 V.
Christian, Roxane, the duenna.
ROXANE (coming out of Clomire’s house, with a company of friends, whom she leaves. Bows and good-byes):
Barthenoide!—Alcandre!—Gremione!—
THE DUENNA (bitterly disappointed):
We’ve missed the speech upon the Tender Passion!
(Goes into Roxane’s house.)
ROXANE (still bowing):
Urimedonte—adieu!
(All bow to Roxane and to each other, and then separate, going up different streets. Roxane suddenly seeing Christian):
You!
(She goes to him):
Evening falls.
Let’s sit. Speak on. I listen.
CHRISTIAN (sits by her on the bench. A silence):
Oh! I love you!
ROXANE (shutting her eyes):
Ay, speak to me of love.
CHRISTIAN:
I love thee!
ROXANE:
That’s
The theme! But vary it.
CHRISTIAN:
I...
ROXANE:
Vary it!
CHRISTIAN:
I love you so!
ROXANE:
Oh! without doubt!—and then?...
CHRISTIAN:
And then—I should be—oh!—so glad—so glad
If you would love me!—Roxane, tell me so!
ROXANE (with a little grimace):
I hoped for cream,—you give me gruel! Say
How love possesses you?
CHRISTIAN:
Oh utterly!
ROXANE:
Come, come!...unknot those tangled sentiments!
CHRISTIAN:
Your throat I’d kiss it!
ROXANE:
Christian!
CHRISTIAN:
I love thee!
ROXANE (half-rising):
Again!
CHRISTIAN (eagerly, detaining her):
No, no! I love thee not!
ROXANE (reseating herself):
’Tis well!
CHRISTIAN:
But I adore thee!
ROXANE (rising, and going further off):
Oh!
CHRISTIAN:
I am grown stupid!
ROXANE (dryly):
And that displeases me, almost as much
As ’twould displease me if you grew ill-favored.
CHRISTIAN:
But...
ROXANE:
Rally your poor eloquence that’s flown!
CHRISTIAN:
I...
ROXANE:
Yes, you love me, that I know. Adieu.
(She goes toward her house.)
CHRISTIAN:
Oh, go not yet! I’d tell you—
ROXANE (opening the door):
You adore me?
I’ve heard it very oft. No!—Go away!
CHRISTIAN:
But I would fain...
(She shuts the door in his face.)
CYRANO (who has re-entered unseen):
I’ faith! It is successful!