Scene V
The same. Duke de Beaupréau, Laffemas, Viscount de Rohan, Count de Charnacé, Abbé de Gondi, and other courtiers
DUKE DE BELLEGARDE (to Duke de Beaupréau).
Good-morning, Duke!
DUKE DE BEAUPRÉAU.
Good-morning!
DUKE DE BELLEGARDE.
Any news?
DUKE DE BEAUPRÉAU.
There’s talk of a new cardinal.
DUKE DE BELLEGARDE.
Which one?
The Archbishop of Arle?
DUKE DE BEAUPRÉAU.
No! Bishop of Autun.
All Paris thinks he has obtained the hat.
ABBÉ DE GONDI.
’Tis his by right. He was commander of
Artillery at the siege of La Rochelle.
DUKE DE BELLEGARDE.
That’s true!
L’ANGELY.
The Holy See has my approval.
This one will be a cardinal according
To the canons.
ABBÉ DE GONDI (laughing).
L’Angely—the fool!
L’ANGELY (bowing).
My lord knows all my names.
[Laffemas enters; all the Courtiers vie with each other in paying court to him and surrounding him. Duke de Bellegarde watches them with vexation.
DUKE DE BELLEGARDE (to L’Angely).
Fool, who’s that man
Who wears the ermine cloak?
L’ANGELY.
Whom every one
Is paying court to?
DUKE DE BELLEGARDE.
Yes. I know him not.
Is he a follower of Monsieur d’Orleans?
L’ANGELY.
They would not fawn on him so much.
DUKE DE BELLEGARDE (watching Laffemas, who struts about).
What airs!
As if he were grandee of Spain!
L’ANGELY (low).
It is
Sir Laffemas, intendant of Champagne,
Lieutenant-Criminal—
DUKE DE BELLEGARDE (low).
Infernal, say!
He’s called the Cardinal’s executioner?
L’ANGELY (still low).
The same.
DUKE DE BELLEGARDE.
That man at Court!
L’ANGELY.
Why not? One extra
Tiger-cat in the menagerie!
Shall I present him?
DUKE DE BELLEGARDE (haughtily).
Peace, you fool!
L’ANGELY.
I think
I’d cultivate him if I were a lord.
Be friendly! Unto each man comes his day.
If he takes not your hand, he may your head.
[He seeks Laffemas, presents him to Duke de Bellegarde, who bows with ill-concealed displeasure.
LAFFEMAS (bowing).
Sir Duke!
DUKE DE BELLEGARDE.
Sir, I am charmed—
[Aside.] Upon my life,
We’re fallen low, Monsieur de Richelieu!
[Laffemas walks away.
VISCOUNT DE ROHAN (bursting into laughter among a group of Courtiers in the back of the hall).
Delightful!
L’ANGELY.
What?
VISCOUNT DE ROHAN.
That Marion is here.
L’ANGELY.
Here—Marion?
VISCOUNT DE ROHAN.
We were just saying this:
“Chaste Louis’s guest is Marion.” How rich!
L’ANGELY.
A charming piece of wit, indeed, my lord!
DUKE DE BELLEGARDE (to Count de Charnacé).
Sir wolf-hunter, have you found any prey?
Is hunting good?
COUNT DE CHARNACÉ.
There’s nothing! Yesterday
I had great expectations, for three peasants
Had been devoured by wolves. At first I thought
We would find several at Chambord. I beat
The woods, but not a wolf, nor trace of one!
[To L’Angely.] Fool, know you anything that’s gay?
L’ANGELY.
Nothing,
My lord, except two men will soon be hanged
At Beaugency for dueling.
ABBÉ DE GONDI.
So little,
Bah! [The small gilt door is opened.
AN USHER.
The King!
[The King enters; he is in black, his eyes are cast down. The order of the Holy Ghost is on his doublet and his cloak. Hat on his head. The Courtiers all uncover and range themselves, silently, in two rows. The Guards lower their pikes and present muskets.