l eat your leavings?

CYRANO (saluting him):
You make progress.

DE GUICHE (proudly, with a light touch of accent on the word 'breaking'):
I will fight without br-r-eaking my fast!

FIRST CADET (with wild delight):
Br-r-r-eaking! He has got the accent!

DE GUICHE (laughing):
I?

THE CADET:
'Tis a Gascon!

(All begin to dance.)

CARBON DE CASTEL-JALOUX (who had disappeared behind the rampart, reappearing
on the ridge):
I have drawn my pikemen up in line. They are a resolute troop.

(He points to a row of pikes, the tops of which are seen over the ridge.)

DE GUICHE (bowing to Roxane):
Will you accept my hand, and accompany me while I review them?

(She takes it, and they go up toward the rampart. All uncover and follow
them.)

CHRISTIAN (going to Cyrano, eagerly):
Tell me quickly!

(As Roxane appears on the ridge, the tops of the lances disappear, lowered for
the salute, and a shout is raised. She bows.)

THE PIKEMEN (outside):
Vivat!

CHRISTIAN:
What is this secret?

CYRANO:
If Roxane should. . .

CHRISTIAN:
Should?. . .

CYRANO:
Speak of the letters?. . .

CHRISTIAN:
Yes, I know!. . .

CYRANO:
Do not spoil all by seeming surprised. . .

CHRISTIAN:
At what?

CYRANO:
I must explain to you!. . .Oh! 'tis no great matter--I but thought of it to-
day on seeing her. You have. . .

CHRISTIAN:
Tell quickly!

CYRANO:
You have. . .written to her oftener than you think. . .

CHRISTIAN:
How so?

CYRANO:
Thus, 'faith! I had taken it in hand to express your flame for you!. . .At
times I wrote without saying, 'I am writing!'

CHRISTIAN:
Ah!. . .

CYRANO:
'Tis simple enough!

CHRISTIAN:
But how did you contrive, since we have been cut off, thus. . .to?. . .

CYRANO:
. . .Oh! before dawn. . .I was able to get through. . .

CHRISTIAN (folding his arms):
That was simple, too? And how oft, pray you, have I written?. . .Twice in
the week?. . .Three times?. . .Four?. . .

CYRANO:
More often still.

CHRISTIAN:
What! Every day?

CYRANO:
Yes, every day,--twice.

CHRISTIAN (violently):
And that became so mad a joy for you, that you braved death. . .

CYRANO (seeing Roxane returning):
Hush! Not before her!

(He goes hurriedly into his tent.)

Scene 4.VIII.

Roxane, Christian. In the distance cadets coming and going. Carbon and De
Guiche give orders.

ROXANE (running up to Christian):
Ah, Ch