No More Learning

Where?

DIDIER: Here. Who will lend a sword?

L'ANGELY: For this wild folly, take a fool's sword, friend,
And in exchange, bequeath to me, for luck,
The bit of rope that hangs you.

DIDIER (_taking his sword_): Now, marquis!

SAVERNY: Sir, at your service.

DIDIER: Guard!

[_As their swords clash,_ MARION DE LORME _appears. _

MARION (_seeing_ DIDIER _fighting_): Stop! Help! Help! Help!

[_In answer to her cries the town guard arrive. _

THE CAPTAIN OF THE GUARD: Down with your swords! What!
Duelling beneath
The edict of the king! You are dead men.

[DIDIER _and_ SAVERNY _are disarmed and led away. _

MARION: What has he done?

[L'ANGELY _points to the edict: she reads it. _

Oh, when I called for help
Death came! Is there no way to rescue him?
The king is kind at heart, he will forgive----

L'ANGELY: But Richelieu will not! He loves red blood,
The scarlet cardinal, he loves red blood!

MARION: You frighten me! Who are you?

L'ANGELY: The king's fool.

MARION: Ah, Didier! If a woman's feeble hand
Can save you, mine shall do it! [_She departs_.

L'ANGELY (_picking up the sword he lent to_ Didier):
Ha!