Act III - Scene III

ROXANE, the DUENNA, CYRANO

[They have come to Clomire's door.]

[She lifts if carefully and knocks with precaution.]

[She enters and shuts the door.]

[The door opens again, and ROXANE puts her head out.]

[The door shuts.]

ROXANE:
We're going to Clomire's house. [She points to the door opposite.] Alcandre and Lysimon are to discourse!
DUENNA:
[putting her little finger in her ear] Yes, but my little finger tells me we shall miss hearing them.
CYRANO:
It would be a pity to miss those monkeys!
DUENNA:
Oh, look! The knocker is wrapped with cloth! [speaking to the knocker] So they have gagged you, noisy one, lest you disturb the fine speakers!
ROXANE:
[seeing that the door is opening] Let's go in! [on the threshold, to CYRANO] If Christian comes, as I feel sure he will, please tell him to wait for me!
CYRANO:
[quickly, as she is going in] Listen! [She turns.] You always choose a subject to speak about with Christian. Tell me, which subject will you ask him to speak on tonight?
ROXANE:
Oh—
CYRANO:
[eagerly] Yes?
ROXANE:
Do you promise you won't tell him?
CYRANO:
I promise.
ROXANE:
I shall not choose a subject at all. Instead, I will tell him to speak on whatever he wishes. I don't want him to prepare a speech. This time, I want him to speak his thoughts as they come. I'll tell him to speak to me of love, and to speak of it splendidly!
CYRANO:
[smiling] Very good!
ROXANE:
But secret!
CYRANO:
Secret.
ROXANE:
Not a word.
CYRANO:
[when the door is shut, bowing to her] A thousand thanks!
ROXANE:
If he knew what I just told you, he would prepare a speech in advance!
CYRANO:
We wouldn't want that to happen!
BOTH TOGETHER:
Shhhhh!
CYRANO:
[calling] Christian!