good!

ROXANE:
But secret!. . .

CYRANO:
Secret.

ROXANE:
Not a word!

(She enters and shuts the door.)

CYRANO (when the door is shut, bowing to her):
A thousand thanks!

(The door opens again, and Roxane puts her head out.)

ROXANE:
Lest he prepare himself!

CYRANO:
The devil!--no, no!

BOTH TOGETHER:
Secret.

(The door shuts.)

CYRANO (calling):
Christian!

Scene 3.IV.

Cyrano, Christian.

CYRANO:
I know all that is needful. Here's occasion
For you to deck yourself with glory. Come,
Lose no time; put away those sulky looks,
Come to your house with me, I'll teach you. . .

CHRISTIAN:
No!

CYRANO:
Why?

CHRISTIAN:
I will wait for Roxane here.

CYRANO:
How? Crazy?
Come quick with me and learn. . .

CHRISTIAN:
No, no! I say.
I am aweary of these borrowed letters,
--Borrowed love-makings! Thus to act a part,
And tremble all the time!--'Twas well enough
At the beginning!--Now I know she loves!
I fear no longer!--I will speak myself.

CYRANO:
Mercy!

CHRISTIAN:
And how know you I cannot speak?--
I am not such a fool when all is said!
I've by your lessons profited. You'll see
I shall know how to speak alone! The devil!
I know at least to clasp her in my arms!
(Seeing Roxane come out from Clomire's house):
--It is she! Cyrano, no!--Leave me not!

CYRANO (bowing):
Speak for yourself, my friend, and take your chance.

(He disappears behind the garden wall.)

Scene 3.V.

Christian, Roxane, the duenna.

ROXANE (coming out of Clomire's house, with a company of friends, whom she
leaves. Bows and good-byes):
Barthenoide!--Alcandre!--Gremione!--

THE DUENNA (bitterly disappointed):
We've missed the speech upon the Tender Passion!

(Goes into Roxane's house.)

ROXANE (still bowing):
Urimedonte--adieu!
(All bow to Roxane and to each other, and then separate, going up different
streets. Roxane suddenly seeing Christian):
You!
(She goes to him):
Evening falls.
Let's sit. Speak on. I listen.

CHRISTIAN (sits by her on the bench. A silence):
Oh! I love you!

ROXANE (shutting her eyes):
Ay, speak to me of love.

CHRISTIAN:
I love thee!

ROXANE:
That's
The theme! But vary it.

CHRISTIAN:
I. . .

ROXANE:
Vary it!

CHRISTIAN:
I love you so!

ROXANE:
Oh! without doubt!--and then?. . .

CHRISTIAN:
And then--I should be--oh!--so glad--so gla