r dear.

PERCINET. At last I have you again! [He takes SYLVETTE's scarf
and plays with it.] What beautiful shades and lights in this
gorgeous satin.

SYLVETTE. What satin?

PERCINET. Oh, nothing! Nothing!

SYLVETTE. But it's only muslin!

PERCINET. [Kneeling and kissing her hand] No, it is everything!

SYLVETTE. [Falling into his arms] See? I know now that poetry
and romance are in the hearts of lovers; they have nothing to do
with other things.

PERCINET. That is true, Sylvette. I have seen what ought to be
poetry and romance, but it wasn't--to me!

SYLVETTE. And what was prepared for and arranged beforehand was
real, though it was contrived for us by others.

PERCINET. We can weave realities on a false frame.

SYLVETTE. How foolish we were to seek elsewhere for romance, when
it was our own hearts!

[STRAFOREL appears, followed by the two fathers, and shows them
SYLVETTE and PERCINET in each other's arms.]

STRAFOREL. Ah!

BERGAMIN. My son! [He embraces PERCINET.]

STRAFOREL. Now do I get my money?

PASQUINOT. [To his daughter] Do you love him?

SYLVETTE. Yes.

STRAFOREL. [To BERGAMIN] Shall I have my money?

BERGAMIN. You shall.

SYLVETTE. [Trembling as she hears STRAFOREL's voice and recognizes
it] But--that--voice--the Marquis D'Asta--fior--

STRAFOREL. [Bowing] --quercita. Yes, my dear Mademoiselle. 'Tis
Straforel. Pardon my excessive zeal. I have at least taught you
how tiresome and hollow and useless real adventures are. You
might, like this young man, have had your share, but I allowed you
to see them in prospect through the magic-lantern of my imagination.

PERCINET. What is this?

SYLVETTE. [Quickly] Nothing, nothing. I love you!

BERGAMIN. [Pointing to the wall] And to-morrow we shall knock
down these few rows of bricks!

PASQUINOT. Yes, away with it!

STRAFOREL. No, let us finish it; it is indispensable.

SYLVETTE. [Gathering them all about her] Let us say no more
about it!

Curtain

End of the Project Gutenberg EBook of The Romancers, by Edmond Rostand

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