ll he be to-day, by chance?

RAGUENEAU (entering hurriedly):
Ah! Madame!
(He sees Le Bret):
Ah! you here, Sir!

ROXANE (smiling):
Tell all your miseries
To him; I will return anon.

RAGUENEAU:
But, Madame. . .

(Roxane goes out with the Duke. Ragueneau goes toward Le Bret.)

Scene 5.III.

Le Bret, Ragueneau.

RAGUENEAU:
Since you are here, 'tis best she should not know!
I was going to your friend just now--was but
A few steps from the house, when I saw him
Go out. I hurried to him. Saw him turn
The corner. . .suddenly, from out a window
Where he was passing--was it chance?. . .may be!
A lackey let fall a large piece of wood.

LE BRET:
Cowards! O Cyrano!

RAGUENEAU:
I ran--I saw. . .

LE BRET:
'Tis hideous!

RAGUENEAU:
Saw our poet, Sir--our friend--
Struck to the ground--a large wound in his head!

LE BRET:
He's dead?

RAGUENEAU:
No--but--I bore him to his room. . .
Ah! his room! What a thing to see!--that garret!

LE BRET:
He suffers?

RAGUENEAU:
No, his consciousness has flown.

LE BRET:
Saw you a doctor?

RAGUENEAU:
One was kind--he came.

LE BRET:
My poor Cyrano!--We must not tell this
To Roxane suddenly.--What said this leech?--

RAGUENEAU:
Said,--what, I know not--fever, meningitis!--
Ah! could you see him--all his head bound up!--
But let us haste!--There's no one by his bed!--
And if he try to rise, Sir, he might die!

LE BRET (dragging him toward the right):
Come! Through the chapel! 'Tis the quickest way!

ROXANE (appearing on the steps, and seeing Le Bret go away by the colonnade
leading to the chapel door):
Monsieur le Bret!
(Le Bret and Ragueneau disappear without answering):
Le Bret goes--when I call!
'Tis some new trouble of good Ragueneau's.

(She descends the steps.)

Scene 5.IV.

Roxane alone. Two sisters, for a moment.

ROXANE:
Ah! what a beauty in September's close!
My sorrow's eased. April's joy dazzled it,
But autumn wins it with her dying calm.
(She seats herself at the embroidery frame. Two sisters come out of the
house, and bring a large armchair under the tree):
There comes the famous armchair where he sits,
Dear faithful friend!

SISTER MARTHA:
It is the parlor's best!

ROXANE:
Thanks, sister.
(The sisters go):
He'll be here now.
(She seats herself. A clock strikes):
The hour strikes.
--My silks?--Why, now, the hour's stru