doors in the back.--Enter the_ MARQUIS, _in consternation, followed by_ MADAM CHATEAUPERS, MAIGNAN _and_ PAGE.

_Marq._ Gods! is this bearable! Mischief in the four quarters of the globe, and only one pair of hands to put it to rights! Not a moment to be lost, and no knowing where to begin! But one person in his right senses, and nobody to tell him what to do with them! The king gone to meet that furious lover! All the town in an uproar! All Christendom undone--[_walks about distracted_].

_Mad._ My lord--oh heaven, forgive me! Indeed, indeed I thought only of your danger--I never imagined any harm could come to the king--did I, boy--did I--speak.

_Page._ No, madam, I’ll take my oath you have never thought of any body but the marquis for the last twelve-month.

_Maig._ My lord, ’tis nobody’s fault but the king’s--I told him how ’twould be when he whisked off to Madam Chateaupers--I came after you as fast as my legs could carry me; but the world is upside down, and there is no finding anything. [_Tumult heard._]

_Marq._ Hark to those wolves! Here’s death in a dozen shapes at once! Madam, madam! It is no time for lamentation--we have only to look out and make our choice--lost--undone--[_runs to the window, followed by_ MADAM.]

_Maig._ No doubt of it, and with two such masters, so shall I be too! Twisting and twirling betwixt a brace of cataracts, with no hope of advancing any way but downwards.

_Page._ Dying out of the pale of all society! Neither cavalier nor canaille! Astride of the line of demarcation, with one side ashamed of the other.

_Marq._ [_coming from the window_]. Madam, we have no time to listen here--we must be doing--the superintendent knows of your visit--suspects a conspiracy--is gone to make the last preparations--in five minutes more I shall be married and the king murdered [_tumult_]. Hear them again! My whole life is a panic! Every moment a convulsion! I have no peace in prospect till I am dead and buried [_is hurrying out_].

_Enter_ KATHERINE.

_Kath._ All’s lost! All’s ruined!

_Marq._ Madam, beseech you be explicit, for I am prepared for anything.

_Kath._ The treasure you dispatched is intercepted--the secret is confessed.

_Marq._ And the sooner the world ends the better!

_Kath._ ’Tis my work--mine. There is none to blame but me. Had I not warned the king of his danger he had never tempted it so rashly!

_Marq._ And had I not taken a score of wounds for him at Ivri, he had never come. Here’s reproach enough to share between us, and give us both abundance, therefore I pray you, madams both, be moderate, and let us at all events live to see what happens [_to_ MADAM]. Madam, I have been loyal to my word! [_to_ KATHERINE]. Madam, I have been as desperate as you could wish!

[_He is hastening out when he finds himself met on all sides by armed men, who have entered during the speech, with_ VAUTEUR, BRAVACHE, _and_ POIGNARD.]

How! This is doomsday, sure--and these are the devils! I am beset!

_Kath._ Hush! hold! I know these men--provoke them not--give no pretext for quarrel.

_Marq._ Miscreants!

_Mad._ Let go your sword! Oh heaven! Is this the wise Marquis de Rosny!

_Marq._ Madam, I am not wise--I am a maniac! I must find the king!

_Kath._ Nay, peace! would’st show these wretches where to find him? Be calm, your part is done--the rest is mine.

[KATHERINE _and_ MADAM _stand on each side of the_ MARQUIS, _who surveys the persons behind him, first over one shoulder, then the other_].

_Marq._ A contribution from all the gibbets in France, in honour of our nuptials, madam. The enemy has seen through our movements, and these malefactors are provided as our bridesmen.

_Enter_ DE FRESNE _and others at side door_.

_De F._ Still true to your _duplicates_, Rosny? Madam, your disposition is very forgiving. I’m sorry he cannot reward you for it--but, you see, he is otherwise engaged. Now Rosny, to the fulfilment of our contract.

_Kath._ [_crossing before the_ MARQUIS _as he advances to_ DE FRESNE]. My Lord de Rosny, I tax your courtsey as a true knight To claim no promise forced by menaces. If I retract, be theirs the blame who used them.

_De F._ Ho! by Jupiter! But we’ll be satisfied whether my Lord de Rosny retracts!

_Mad._ [_crossing before the marquis_]. No, my lord, no; I’ll vouch he spoke sincerely-- My Lord de Rosny, let no thought of me Prevent your wishes. Take him, madam, take him-- For heaven’s sake say no more, but marry him.

_De F._ Odds, Rosny, these proceedings are more extraordinary than ever. Last night, these two would have pulled caps for you, and now you are going begging. What’s the meaning on’t? Let him tell us that.

_Kath._ [_again interposing_]. I’ll tell it for him, sir, I hold the marquis Too high to link him with a house like your’s; And prize myself too well to be the patch That in the king’s esteem shall mend your honesty-- You lose your time.

_De F._ Hey! How?

_Kath._ Yes! Look again To your assassins--they are ready--mark them-- Remember all the shames that I can publish-- Bribe them to slay me--[_to_ ROSNY _and_ MADAM]. Peace! ’tis what I wish.

_De F._ Friends, she is incited to this by the Marquis de Rosny. [_Consults with his friends, who throw menacing glances at the_ MARQUIS.

_Marq._ Madams both, stand you apart. Maignan, thou did’st good service at Ivri. It is but ten to one--out with thy rapier! Fortune has done her worst.

_Bravos._ Down with the marquis.

[_They advance, when the_ KING _enters from the door in the back--the rest recoil_].

_Hen._ Where is he? Rosny!

_Marq._ I die with a lie in my mouth! Fortune has _not_ done her worst!

_Hen._ So, madcap, have I found thee? Shall I ne’er Take eyes from thee, but thou must run to mischief? They tell me here’s a wedding--madams, beware! He hath a fashion from the Turk, and covets More wives than are his due--keep him between you. Where’s my good steward? Now! what folks are these? These are no kindred for a marriage feast-- Sirrah! what means this jail delivery? This congress from the galleys?

_De F._ They are men Of honour, sire, although unfortunate In your displeasure. [_The_ KING _advances towards the bravos_, DE FRESNE _speaks apart to those on his side_]. When I speak the word, Stand by each other.

_Marq._ [_aside_]. His unarmed breast within reach of their poignards! [_aloud_]. My liege, a word-- [_running to the_ KING, MADAM _and_ KATHERINE _interpose_].

_Kath._ Be still--be mute--show no mistrust in them-- You force them to extremities.

_Mad._ You shall not stir.

_Hen._ [_examining the Bravos, who, with_ DE FRESNE, _have been too intent upon him to observe the conduct of the_ MARQUIS].

I can recall this visage. Thou wert one Convicted as a spy, that plied o’ both sides-- And thou, do I mistake? thou wert condemned For selling my despatch to th’ enemy-- Thee I once punished for--I know not what. What dost thou here, thou rogue? And thou?--And thou?

_Bravos._ [_pressing rudely round him_]. Your majesty was misinformed of me; I was sore wronged. And I--aye, all of us.

_Hen._ [_flinging them back_]. Hence, villains! back! ’Sdeath! must I hurl you--carrion? [_Advancing to_ DE FRESNE]. Know’st thou the doom I gave these runaways?

_De F._ Your majesty was pleased to banish them.

_Hen._ And thou to call them back, for which I here Lay hand on thee for a disloyal knave-- Encourager of thieves and renegades To back the in thy robberies. Thou know’st I know thee--hast been treating with Maienne To give this town up--to betray thy master-- I’ve letters intercepted that shall hang thee, And for this special purpose came I here.

_De F._ My liege I vow--

_Hen._ If thou do’st breathe one word This sword is swifter than a thousand traitors-- Dost thou rely on _these_--to daunt with rags Henry of Bourbon--Ha! Where’s Rosny’s lackey?

[_Flings DE FRESNE to MAIGNAN_].

Tie me this shaking villain with a packthread! If he be troublesome, cuff out his brains.

_De F._ Help friends, and save yourselves, there’s not a man amongst you but is doom’d! Help! quickly, help!

_Bravos._ Down with the king, down with the marquis. [_The_ KING _and the_ MARQUIS _face the bravos on either side_--MADAM _and_ KATHERINE _are in the act of rushing forward to interpose_--MAIGNAN _and the_ PAGE _of killing the Superintendent.--Shouts of “Long live the king” are suddenly heard all around the palace,--the doors are burst open, and_ VICTOR _enters, followed by_ LA PLUME, DU FRONT, _and a party of soldiers_].

_Kath._ Victor, and faithful to the king--’tis Victor!

_Hen._ [_to Victor_]. Now, gad-o’mercy, friend, thou’st spoilt our sport! But what is this, I hear? “God save the King?” What beam hath changed their winter note to this? “God save me,” say you? ’Slife, sirs, God save _you_. But what, indeed, has made these throats so loyal?

_Vict._ [_pointing to_ LA PLUME _and_ DU FRONT]. These gentlemen, my liege (the praise is theirs-- Would it were mine)--found argument to prove Their gold a bounty from your majesty To the good citizens and soldiers here-- The uproar that we heard was in the scramble, Which being o’er, their love and loyalty Hath burst all bounds.

_Hen._ We’ll make these men of Mante A Macedonian phalanx [_to the soldiers_]. Right about! You to the left [_Part of the soldiers face the bravoes on the right, part those on the left_]. Now sweep me off those felons-- Off to the jail with them--they know the way.

[_Exeunt soldiers, with their prisoners_].

Now for my superintendent.

_La P._ Please you, sire, If we’ve done somewhat to redeem ourselves.--

_Du F._ For our reward we only ask to hang him.

_Hen._ What reason can’st thou give that they should not?

_De F._ So please your majesty, I’ll think of it. I’m ill at explanation, and appearance Is evermore against me.

_Hen._ Fair Katherine, thou’dst tell ’tis thine uncle, And we do owe the more than such a life; Therefore we’ll leave the hanging, and go storm His treasury. Take him away--whate’er His walls afford that may reward you, sirs, I give you heartily--go strip them bare, But do not hang him.

_La P._ Come sir, come to prison.

_Du F._ I would we might have hanged him-- But he’ll come to’t. [_Exeunt_ LA PLUME _and_ DU FRONT, _with_ DE FRESNE].

_Hen._ I have more treasure still, which I’d fain keep, But needs must give away--how--Katherine-- Here’s one deserves thee--not so well as I did, Because he doubted thee, which I could never-- Yet--for his fault doth gall him grievously-- Take him, and teach him better.

_Vict._ In one day I have twice forfeited all trust in me, And have become so strange unto myself, ’Twould be a new shame, did I promise better-- My life be surety for ’t.

_Kath._ An’ thou’lt not promise, I’ll promise for thee--good my liege, we know The shade is darkest in the sunniest spot, The stain is deepest in the purest fount, The cloud in bluest skies most visible, And faults will oftentimes appear most monstrous, For the heart’s worthiness.

_Hen._ Dost hear that, Rosny? Out with thy pocket-book--’tis just my case.

_Marq._ By and bye, so please you, sire. I have a cold damp to wipe from my forehead, and to ask heaven’s pardon, that I e’er thought the affairs of men could be quite desperate.

_Hen._ Madam, how say you? ’Tis an arrant wild one-- Leaps ladies’ walls at night--but he hath answered For me ere now, and so will I for him-- Your beauty will reform him--take my word-- And make him steady as he looks.

_Mad._ My liege, An if the marquis hath _no more_ engagements, He hath so often taught me to be loyal I leave my fortunes with your majesty.

_Hen._ ’Tis well! and more than he deserves--what says he?

_Marq._ Madam--I have not the eloquence--the--

_Mad._ Hush! that note’s your false one--

_Maig._ This I did _not_ foretel!

_Page._ As the marquis says--affairs are never desperate!

_Hen._ We’ll talk the rest upon the road to Paris; And plan another chapter for thy book Shall keep the moth out.

_Marq._ Please your majesty Here are more matters than will serve our turn, Or suit the dignity of history.

_Hen._ Well, leave them to the writers of romance-- Prime ministers detected leaping walls For midnight love scenes, were a bad example; And that’s the truth on’t. Keep thy counsel, man, And march and mend--Paris and Victory.

THE END.

ALFRED ROBINS, Printer, 7, Southampton Street, Strand.

Transcriber’s Notes

A table of contents has been created by the transcriber.

Minor spelling and punctuation errors have been silently corrected.

Archaic spellings have been retained as originally printed.

Inconsistent abbreviations for the Marquis in speech headings have been standardized as “Marq.”

Originally printed italics are indicated by _underscores_ in the text version, and small capitals have been changed to full capitals.