The Providence news. (Providence [R.I.]) 1891-1906, 1896-05-04
ACT III.
SCENE.

lady i'm her chair knitting as before.
Annette with white apron shredding
vegetables in an earthenware dish.
Landlady. Annette-Go pick the sor-
rel for the soup. exit Annette.) A
dull time. All the men out fighting.
When viii il end? They are lions,
Our brave fellows But (Sighs)
how will il end? From this corner
we are fighting all France. Well
we'll The captain is everywhere;
he sees TO everything-he directs
every ything-he wins ali the victories.
(Enter Annette-her apron full of
sorrel.) Madame! There is news.
There has been battle. Oh! close by
but five miles away. i heard the
cannon firing.
Landlady. How do you know? Who
told you?
ARnette. Little Jean Kerdac. He was
among the soldiers. When the fight
ing began he lay down behind big
stone--a menhir-and looked on. lie
says it was beautiful TO see the
Chouans drive back the Blues. When
they were driven out of the wood he
came home.
Landlady. Two or more such victories
and we shall have the British with us
And the captain?
Annette. i don't know. (Goes on with
preparations for soup.)
(Enter Madeleine joyous-excited--
she has small gun in her hand.)
Madeleine. Have you heard the news,
madame? We have defeated them
and put them to flight.
Landlady. How do you know. ma'am
selle?
Madeleine. / was there. have just re-
turned from the field Of battle.
Landlady. You, ma'amselle? Re-
turned from the field of battle?
Madeleine. Why not? Where our brave
Bretons are, there would be too,
/ take good care of myself. Like
coward woman hide behind stones
But / watch the battle. oh! They
are scattered-they are flying My
Georges is splendid. The bullets
strike men down TO right and left of
him; but Georges they never touch.
He is the captain and the conqueror
Why, he will sweep France through
from end 10 end.
(Enter Michel lie Robinc. He is
wounded and totters. He has torn
jacket; his hand is tied up with n hand
kerchief.
Landlady. Springs to her fcet.) M'sicu
Michel!
Madeleine. (Runs to his assistance.)
Michel! (She helps him TO a chair or
bench and opens his collar.) Quick.
Annette, water! Quick! And cognac,
Annette-and pillow-quick. (Shc
bends over him. lie opens his eyes.
His head falls back upon the pillow,)
Landlady He has tainted.
Madeleine. puts her hand on his heart.)
The heart beats still. Annette--the
cognac! Qours little between his
lips. He opens his eyes. Madeleine
lifts his hand) Michel, brother. look
up-you are better?
Michel. No, Madeleine, am worse.
had something to say.
Madeleine. What is il. Michel? DO not
mind IL now Think of Yourself
Michel. had something 10 say--what
was it? / forget it. TWAS important
Il have lost it. Madeleine, am dy-
ing. Bring the cure--I must confess.
Madeleine. The cure Is with the army.
Oh, what shall we do?
Annette. There is Dominican friar--
Black friar-who has been about
the village for two or three days.
will bring him. exit Annettc.)
enter Cadoudal)
Madeleine. Georges!
Cadoudal. Where is Michel? i heard
(bending over him with back to audi
ence; slight pantomine of examina-
ton. Turning round to others.) IL
is but too true. IL is internal bleed
ing. Nothing can save him.
Madeleine. Georges, what has hap
pened?
Cadoudal. The enemy are in full fight.
They are disposed of for n week.
what do say?-forever! Michel, my
dear comrade, is this your fate?
Michel. Everyone in his turn, captain.
Who could ask for a better way?
CauoudaI. (kneeis beside him.) True
comrade! loyal friend! faithful sol
dier! There is no better way. Else
In the name of heaven how could