No More Learning

Have you been out?

BLANCHE: Only to church. It is so dull in town
That, were it not for you, dear, I should like
To go back to Chinon.

TRIBOULET: It would be best;
put now I could not live in solitude.
My darling, I have no one in the world
But you to love me!

[_Hiding his face in his hands, he weeps. _

BLANCHE: Father, trust in me.
Tell me your name and calling. Every night
You come by stealth to see me; every day
You disappear. Oh, how it troubles me
To see you weep!

TRIBOULET: You would be troubled more
If you could see me laugh! No, no, my child!
Know me but as your father; let me be
Something that you can venerate and love.

BLANCHE: My father!

TRIBOULET: But I cannot stay to-night;
I only came to see if you were safe.
Good-bye, my darling! Do not leave the house.

[_While he is speaking,_ KING FRANCOIS _glides into the
courtyard, and hides behind a tree there. He is
dressed like a student. _

BLANCHE: Good-bye, my father!

THE KING: Father! Triboulet
Her father! What a joke!

TRIBOULET: May God guard you!

[_He kisses her again and departs. _ BLANCHE _stands at
the door watching him, and_ DAME BERARDE, _her
housekeeper, joins her. _

BLANCHE: I have not told him.

DAME BERARDE: What?

BLANCHE: That a young man
Follows me when I come from church.

DAME BERARDE (_laughing_): You wish
To chase this handsome man away?

BLANCHE: Ah, no!