eturn!

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. SYLVETTE sees him.]

SYLVETTE. You?! [He rises, and stands looking at her.] What has
happened to you? Can it be--?

PERCINET. [Piteously] It can!

SYLVETTE. [Wringing her hands] Heavens!

PERCINET. I resemble somewhat the prodigal son, do I not? [He
totters.]

SYLVETTE. You can't stand up!

PERCINET. I am so tired.

SYLVETTE. [Looking at his arm, with a cry] Wounded!

PERCINET. Can you pity the ungrateful?

SYLVETTE. [Severely] Only fathers kill fatted calves. Still,
that wounded arm?

PERCINET. Oh, I assure you it's not serious.

SYLVETTE. But what have you been doing, Monsieur Vagabond, all
this while?

PERCINET. Nothing very creditable, Sylvette. [He coughs.]

SYLVETTE. You are coughing?

PERCINET. Walking the damp roads at night.

SYLVETTE. What strange clothes you have!

PERCINET. Mine were stolen, and the thieves left me these.

SYLVETTE. [Ironically] How many fortunes did you find?

PERCINET. Sylvette, please say nothing about that.

SYLVETTE. You must have scaled many a balcony?

PERCINET. [Aside] I nearly broke my neck once!

SYLVETTE. Guitar in hand! And what nocturnes and serenades you
must have sung!

PERCINET. Which earned for m