background, the tops of the trees seen over it._

_Enter_ MAIGNAN.

_Maig._ Out of all breath, and ten to one this king Of bats and nightingales has pass’d already. Besides, the old wall twists and dodges us As though it played at hide and seek itself-- We should have had more watchmen here than stones-- Let’s look about. [_Exit cautiously._

_Enter_ HENRY, _closely wrapped in a cloak_.

_Hen._ I wish the night were darker-- Each rogue I met stared at me hungrily, And seemed to reckon what my head would fetch. No matter--here’s the garden--now for means To clamber into it. [_approaches the wall._

_Enter_ MADAME CHATEAUPERS’ PAGE.

_Page._ [_perceiving_ HENRY]. What’s here, a thief? Thieving’s fair sport when there be none but thieves To rob--now, comrade, can’st thou jump it?

_Hen._ [_coming forward_]. So! We’ve found a confidant?

_Page._ Aye, ready made.

_Hen._ Thou art a sprightly knave--what dost thou here?

_Page._ Watch other knaves.

_Hen._ Some dainty lady’s page--whom do’st thou watch for?

_Page._ One whom I owe a grudge--promise thou’lt lay Thy rapier’s scabbard soundly on his shoulders, And thou shalt know. What’s more, if thou would’st rob The superintendent I will show thee where To scale the wall.

_Hen._ A bargain--do thy part on’t And I’ll do mine.

_Page._ A little further on, Thou’lt find a branch hang over to the path-- Swing thyself up with it--once on the top, Hang downwards, and let go--then keep straight on Until thou reach the bottom. Now for _thy_ turn.

_Hen._ Where is thine enemy?

_Page._ I hear him coming.

_Hen._ What is thy quarrel?

_Page._ He is playing double With her I serve, and stumping here to court The niece o’ th’ superintendent.

_Hen._ Is he so? And what’s the caitiff’s name?

_Page._ His name is Rosny.

_Hen._ Rosny!

_Page._ Yes, Rosny--he they call the marquis---- Thou’rt not afraid?

_Hen._ I’d rather meet the devil!

_Page._ Stand!--here he comes!

_Hen._ Stand thou, for here I go! [_runs out._

_Page._ A base and cowardly thief as e’er I saw.

_Re-enter_ MAIGNAN.

_Maig._ No tidings of the king--and yet I thought I could hear voices. Whom have we here?

_Page._ And who art thou?

_Maig._ My master’s mistress’s little evil spirit! What goblin hath brought thee here?

_Page._ The same that should take thee hence, if I had not business with thee. Come, secret for secret--why are so many of us playing the sneak under this wall?

_Maig._ So many of us? Thou hast seen another then?

_Page._ A dastard villain, that scrambled over the wall just as he heard you coming.

_Enter the_ MARQUIS, _hastily_.

_Marq._ Maignan!

_Maig._ We are too late, my lord, he is over the wall!

_Marq._ Where went he over? We must after him!

_Maig._ Sir, if I might advise--

_Marq._ Knave, shew me where.

_Maig._ My Lord, these brigands are at least a thousand.

_Marq._ I care not, though ’twere ten--I’ll follow him down the three throats of Cerberus! Out with thy rapier! All France depends on it! After me! After me! [_Exit._

_Maig._ [_drawing_]. So end our memoirs! So begins our history! There leads the general, and here follows the devoted French army. [_Exit after_ MARQUIS.

_Page._ And here goes the dispatch to my head quarters.

_De F._ [_without_]. On, on, surround the walls!

_Page._ Who have broke loose here? The madmen or the thieves?

_Enter_ DE FRESNE _and his followers_.

_De F._ Pen him in, I say, and then shoot him at your leisure. Hillo! an accomplice! What little varlet is this, and what does he here?

_Page._ As good a man as you, and I do my own business.

_Du F._ Ho, my lord superintendent, let me strangle him with my thumb and finger.

_Page._ [_aside_]. The superintendent!

_De F._ Stop a bit--let me examine him. Who brought thee here, and which way is he gone?

_Page._ [_aside_]. Shall I betray the marquis? What’s to become of my mistress? [_aloud_]. I have seen no one but a fellow that looked like a thief, and hearing you coming he ran away.

_De F._ The king! his very picture. Which way, young cockatrice?

_Page._ [_aside_]. The king! [_aloud_]. This way, my lord,--follow, I’ll show you.

_De F._ On then, I say, or I’ll spin thee on my dagger like a chafer on a pin--on, varlet.

_Page._ [_aside_]. Heaven send me some precipice now, and I’ll break these drunkards’ heads in a heap.

_All._ On, on, on. [_Exeunt._