--at the war!

DE GUICHE (surprised and delighted):
You say such sweet words to me! 'Tis the first time!--and just when I must
quit you!

ROXANE (collected, and fanning herself):
Thus,--you would fain revenge your grudge against my cousin?

DE GUICHE:
My fair lady is on his side?

ROXANE:
Nay,--against him!

DE GUICHE:
Do you see him often?

ROXANE:
But very rarely.

DE GUICHE:
He is ever to be met now in company with one of the cadets,. . .one New--
villen--viller--

ROXANE:
Of high stature?

DE GUICHE:
Fair-haired!

ROXANE:
Ay, a red-headed fellow!

DE GUICHE:
Handsome!. . .

ROXANE:
Tut!

DE GUICHE:
But dull-witted.

ROXANE:
One would think so, to look at him!
(Changing her tone):
How mean you to play your revenge on Cyrano? Perchance you think to put him
i' the thick of the shots? Nay, believe me, that were a poor vengeance--he
would love such a post better than aught else! I know the way to wound his
pride far more keenly!

DE GUICHE:
What then? Tell. . .

ROXANE:
If, when the regiment march to Arras, he were left here with his beloved
boon companions, the Cadets, to sit with crossed arms so long as the war
lasted! There is your method, would you enrage a man of his kind; cheat him
of his chance of mortal danger, and you punish him right fiercely.

DE GUICHE (coming nearer):
O woman! woman! Who but a woman had e'er devised so subtle a trick?

ROXANE:
See you not how he will eat out his heart, while his friends gnaw their
thick fists for that they are deprived of the battle? So are you best
avenged.

DE GUICHE:
You love me, then, a little?
(She smiles):
I would fain--seeing you thus espouse my cause, Roxane--believe it a proof
of love!

ROXANE:
'Tis a proof of love!

DE GUICHE (showing some sealed papers):
Here are the marching orders; they will be sent instantly to each company--
except--
(He detaches one):
--This one! 'Tis that of the Cadets.
(He puts it in his pocket):
This I keep.
(Laughing):
Ha! ha! ha! Cyrano! His love of battle!. . .So you can play tricks on
people?. . .you, of all ladies!

ROXANE:
Sometimes!

DE GUICHE (coming close to her):
Oh! how I love you!--to distraction! Listen! To-night--true, I ought to
start--but--how leave you now that I feel your heart is touched! Hard by, in
the Rue d'Orleans, is a convent founded by Father Athanasius, the syndic of
the Capuchins. True