Scene II

Marion, the Guards

HALBERDIER (to Marion).

Madame, you cannot enter!

MARION (advancing).

Sir!

HALBERDIER (placing his halberd against the door).

I say,
No entrance!

MARION (with contempt).

Here you turn your lance against
A woman. Elsewhere, ’tis in her defense.

MUSKETEER (laughing, to Halberdier).

Well said!

MARION (firmly).

I must immediately have audience
With the Duke de Bellegarde.

HALBERDIER (lowering his halberd, aside).

Ah, these gallants!

MUSKETEER.

Enter, madame.

[She enters with determined step.

HALBERDIER (aside, watching her from the corner of his eye).

Well, the old duke is not
As feeble as he looks. This rendezvous
Would have cost him a sojourn in the Louvre,
In former times.

MUSKETEER (making sign to Halberdier to keep still).

The door is open.

[The little gilt door is opened. M. de Laffemas comes out, holding in his hand a parchment to which a red seal hangs by strands of silk.