E. Monsieur!

STRAFOREL. I learned your story from a man named Straforel. I
felt at once a mad, unreasoning love for the victim of that
unfortunate affair.

SYLVETTE. Marquis!

STRAFOREL. Don't be afraid of me. That fellow who played the
trick on you--I killed him!

SYLVETTE. Killed him!

STRAFOREL. With a single blow!

SYLVETTE. Monsieur!

STRAFOREL. I understand you, you who have never been understood.
You want romance, do you not? Romance at any price?

SYLVETTE. But, Marquis--

STRAFOREL. To-night we elope!

SYLVETTE. Monsieur!

STRAFOREL. We shall go away, never to return.

SYLVETTE. Monsieur!

STRAFOREL. My dream is realized. You consent! To-night! If your
father objects, so much the worse for him!

SYLVETTE. Monsieur!

STRAFOREL. Let them follow us--I know how to deal with pursuers.
In some far land, at last, we shall live happily in a little cottage!

SYLVETTE. But I--

STRAFOREL. For I am poor. I have nothing. We shall live on bread
soaked in sweet tears!

SYLVETTE. But, I tell you--

STRAFOREL. We shall thrive on misfortune--with you I shan't care
for anything else. A tent, perhaps--

SYLVETTE. A tent?

STRAFOREL. Of nothing at all--just the stars!

SYLVETTE. Oh, I--

STRAFOREL. Why, you're trembling--possibly you don't want to go
so far away? Then we shall hide somewhere--

SYLVETTE. But, Monsieur, you are mistaken!

STRAFOREL. Let people say what they will!

SYLVETTE. Good Heavens!

STRAFOREL. I shall spend every moment of my time telling you how
I love you!

SYLVETTE. Monsieur--

STRAFOREL. Ours shall be a long life of poetry. And I shall be
furiously jealous!

SYLVETTE. Monsieur--

STRAFOREL. Are you afraid now?

SYLVETTE. Heavens, what a lesson for me!

STRAFOREL. Ha, now you look like a little boarding-school miss.
Tell me, shall we fly together, or shall I go alone?

SYLVETTE. Monsieur--

STRAFOREL. I understand. I see you are strong: we shall go
together. I shall throw you across my saddle. No sedan-chair--
they are used only in make-believe abductions! I return soon!
[He goes up-stage.]

SYLVETTE. Monsieur, let me tell you--

STRAFOREL. I must get my horse and my mantle!

SYLVETTE. [Deeply distressed] Monsieur!!

STRAFOREL. [With a sweeping gesture] We shall travel from land
to land. My dream at last. I shall return and take you away,
never to return!

SYLVETTE. [Gasping] Never to r