long way off, and cries out):
Hola!

ROXANE:
Who is it?

CYRANO:
I--I was but passing by. . .
Is Christian there?

CHRISTIAN (astonished):
Cyrano!

ROXANE:
Good-day, cousin!

CYRANO:
Cousin, good-day!

ROXANE:
I'm coming!

(She disappears into the house. At the back re-enter the friar.)

CHRISTIAN (seeing him):
Back again!

(He follows Roxane.)

Scene 3.X.

Cyrano, Christian, Roxane, the friar, Ragueneau.

THE FRIAR:
'Tis here,--I'm sure of it--Madame Madeleine Robin.

CYRANO:
Why, you said Ro-LIN.

THE FRIAR:
No, not I.
B,I,N,BIN!

ROXANE (appearing on the threshold, followed by Ragueneau, who carries a
lantern, and Christian):
What is't?

THE FRIAR:
A letter.

CHRISTIAN:
What?

THE FRIAR (to Roxane):
Oh, it can boot but a holy business!
'Tis from a worthy lord. . .

ROXANE (to Christian):
De Guiche!

CHRISTIAN:
He dares. . .

ROXANE:
Oh, he will not importune me forever!
(Unsealing the letter):
I love you,--therefore--
(She reads in a low voice by the aid of Ragueneau's lantern):
'Lady,
The drums beat;
My regiment buckles its harness on
And starts; but I,--they deem me gone before--
But I stay. I have dared to disobey
Your mandate. I am here in convent walls.
I come to you to-night. By this poor monk--
A simple fool who knows not what he bears--
I send this missive to apprise your ear.
Your lips erewhile have smiled on me, too sweet:
I go not ere I've seen them once again!
I would be private; send each soul away,
Receive alone him,--whose great boldness you
Have deigned, I hope, to pardon, ere he asks,--
He who is ever your--et cetera.'
(To the monk):
Father, this is the matter of the letter:--
(All come near her, and she reads aloud):
'Lady,
The Cardinal's wish is law; albeit
It be to you unwelcome. For this cause
I send these lines--to your fair ear addressed--
By a holy man, discreet, intelligent:
It is our will that you receive from him,
In your own house, the marriage
(She turns the page):
benediction
Straightway, this night. Unknown to all the world
Christian becomes your husband. Him we send.
He is abhorrent to your choice. Let be.
Resign yourself, and this obedience
Will be by Heaven well recompensed. Receive,
Fair lady, all assurance of respect,
From him who ever was, and still remains,
Your humble and obliged--et cetera.