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!