Scene II
The same. Marquis de Saverny
BRICHANTEAU (going to Saverny).
Cousin Saverny,
I hope you’ve found the man who rescued you.
SAVERNY.
No; I have searched the city through in vain.
The robbers, the young man, and Marion—
They have all faded from me like a dream.
BRICHANTEAU.
You must have seen him when he brought you back,
Like a good Christian, from those infidels.
SAVERNY.
The first thing that he did was to throw down
The lamp.
GASSÉ.
That’s strange!
BRICHANTEAU.
You’d recognize him if
You met him?
SAVERNY.
No; I didn’t see his face.
BRICHANTEAU.
What is his name?
SAVERNY.
Didier.
ROCHEBARON.
That’s no man’s name!
That is a bourgeois name.
SAVERNY.
It doesn’t matter.
Didier is this man’s name. There are great men
Who have been conquerors and bear grand names,
But they’ve no greater hearts than this man had.
I had six robbers! He had Marion!
He left her, and saved me. My debt’s immense!
This debt I mean to pay. I tell you all:
I’ll pay it with the last drop of my blood!
VILLAC.
Since when do you pay debts?
SAVERNY (proudly).
I’ve always paid
Those debts which can be paid with blood.
Blood is the only change I carry, sir!
[It is quite dark; the windows in the city are lighted one by one; a lamplighter enters and lights a street-lamp above the edict and goes out. The little door through which Marion and Didier disappeared is re-opened. Didier comes forth dreamily, walking slowly, his arms folded.