The Dramas of Victor Hugo: Mary Tudor, Marion de Lorme, Esmeralda - novelonlinefull.com
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My lord, give me the Queen's signature in blank.
FABIANI.
Accursed Jew, I will have to yield. [_Draws a paper from his pocket._
THE MAN.
Show me the Queen's signature in blank.
FABIANI.
Show me Talbot's papers.
THE MAN.
Afterward.
[_They go close to the lantern. Fabiani stands behind the Jew, and with his left hand holds the paper under the Jew's eyes; he examines it. The Man reads._
"We, Mary, Queen--" It is well. You see, my lord, I am like you. I have calculated upon everything. I have foreseen everything.
FABIANI (_draws a dagger with his right hand and plunges it into the Jew's throat_).
Except this!
THE MAN.
Oh, traitor! Help!
[_He falls. In falling he throws a sealed packet into the darkness behind him; Fabiani does not perceive it._
FABIANI (_leaning over the body_).
Faith! I believe he is dead. Quick, the papers. [_He searches the Jew._] What! he hasn't got them. He has nothing--nothing at all about him! Not a paper! He was lying, the old wretch! He deceived me: he wanted to rob me. Is it possible, you accursed Jew! No, he has nothing. That is clear. I have killed him for nothing. They are all alike, these Jews. To lie and steal, that is all they can do. Come, let us get rid of this corpse; I can't leave it here at the door.
[_Goes up stage._] I will see if the boatman is still there; he can help me throw it into the Thames.
[_He descends, and disappears behind the parapet._
GILBERT (_enters from the opposite side_).
I thought I heard a cry!
[_He perceives the body stretched upon the ground under the lantern._
Some one has been a.s.sa.s.sinated! The beggar!
THE MAN (_lifting himself half-way up_).
Ah, you come too late, Gilbert.
[_He points to the place where he threw the packet._
Take them. They are the papers which prove that Jane, your betrothed, is daughter and heiress of the last Lord Talbot. My a.s.sa.s.sin is Lord Clanbra.s.sil, the Queen's favorite. Oh, I suffocate! Gilbert, avenge me! Avenge yourself! [_He dies._
GILBERT.
Dead! Avenge myself? What does he mean? Jane, daughter to Lord Talbot? Lord Clanbra.s.sil! The Queen's favorite? Oh, I am lost in wonder! [_Shaking the body._] Speak! One word more! He is indeed dead!
SCENE VII
Gilbert, Fabiani
FABIANI (_returning_).
Who goes there?
GILBERT.
A man has been a.s.sa.s.sinated.
FABIANI.
No, a Jew.
GILBERT.
Who killed him?
FABIANI.
Faith! You or I.
GILBERT.
Sir?
FABIANI.
No witnesses. A corpse on the ground. Two men beside it. Which is the a.s.sa.s.sin? There is nothing to prove it is one rather than the other--I rather than you.
GILBERT.
Miserable man! You are the a.s.sa.s.sin!
FABIANI.
Well, yes! To be frank, I am. What of it?
