No More Learning

A WORKMAN: What! In a litter borne
By four-and twenty men? No! Richelieu
Travels in greater state than any king.
He enters, like a conqueror, through the breach
Made in the castles of our noblemen.
He means to kill them all, they say.

HIS MATE: And now
He comes in his great litter through this wall,
To see these poor boys hanged? What cruelty!

A WORKMAN: Now come and see the gallows we have built.

[_As they depart,_ MARION _arrives at the castle gate. She
knocks, but before the door opens,_ LAFFEMAS,
RICHELIEU'S _agent, gallops up. _

MARION: An order from the king.

THE GATEKEEPER: You cannot pass.

LAFFEMAS: An order from the cardinal.

THE GATEKEEPER: Pass in.
MARION: I have a pardon for two prisoners!

LAFFEMAS: And I the document revoking it!
The cardinal is coming here to-night
To see the execution. It is fixed
For nine o'clock.

MARION: Then there is no more hope!
Oh, God! Oh, God! My Didier must die!
Nothing can save him!

LAFFEMAS: You can, Marion.
Yes, you can still! I will let Didier escape
If, Marion, you will----

MARION: No!

LAFFEMAS: Then he dies!

MARION: And if he lives, I lose him. (_A long silence. _)
He shall live.