[Gasping] Never to return!
STRAFOREL. You shall live by the side of your adored one, by the
side of him who loved you before he set eyes on you. [As he is
about to leave, she falls onto the bench, and he says aside] It's
now time for you, Percinet! [He goes out.]
SYLVETTE. [Opening her eyes after a moment] Monsieur le marquis--
No, not across the saddle, please. I couldn't do that! Please,
please let me stay home. I _am_ a little boarding-school miss!
Why--he's gone! Marquis! Heavens, what an awful dream! [Another
pause, then she rises.] Romance? Was it not romance that you
craved not so long ago? It has come, and are you afraid? Love,
stars, a cottage. Yes, I did want it--but only a little like
seasoning in a stew! This is too much--I couldn't stand it. [The
sun is setting. SYLVETTE takes up her scarf, which she had left
on the bench, and puts it over her head.] Who knows whether--?
[PERCINET appears. He is in rags, and his arm is in a sling. He
looks ill, and can scarcely walk.]
PERCINET. [Not seeing SYLVETTE] I have had nothing to eat since
yesterday--I can hardly walk. I'm not proud now! I want no more
adventures. [He sits down on the wall. His hat falls from his
eyes, and reveals his identity.
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