CHRISTIAN, ROXANE, the DUENNA

[She goes into ROXANE'S house.]

[She goes toward her house.]

[She shuts the door in his face.]

ROXANE:

[coming out of Clomire's house with a group of friends, bowing and saying goodbye to them] Goodbye, Barthenoide! Alcandre! Gremione!

DUENNA:

[bitterly disappointed] We missed the speech on “The Tender Passion.”

ROXANE:

[still bowing to her friends] Goodbye, Urimedonte! [They all bow to ROXANE and to each other, and then separate, going up different streets. ROXANE suddenly sees CHRISTIAN] It's you! [She goes to him.] Night is falling and no one is around. Let's sit. Please speak, and I will listen.

CHRISTIAN:

[sits by her on the bench; there is a silence.] Oh! I love you!

ROXANE:

[shutting her eyes] Yes, speak to me of love.

CHRISTIAN:

I love you!

ROXANE:

Yes, that's the theme, but elaborate on it.

CHRISTIAN:

I…

ROXANE:

Go on, elaborate!

CHRISTIAN:

I love you so!

ROXANE:

Oh, without a doubt! But what else?

CHRISTIAN:

And I would be—Oh!—I would be so glad—so glad—if you would love me! Oh, Roxane, tell me so!

ROXANE:

[with a little grimace] I hoped for cream, but you're giving me water! Explain to me how you love me!

CHRISTIAN:

Oh, utterly!

ROXANE:

Come, come! Untangle those knotted thoughts!

CHRISTIAN:

I'd love to kiss your throat!

ROXANE:

Christian!

CHRISTIAN:

I love you!

ROXANE:

[half-rising] You've already said that!

CHRISTIAN:

[eagerly, trying to detain her] No, no! I don't love you!

ROXANE:

[reseating herself] Well, at least that's a change.

CHRISTIAN:

I adore you!

ROXANE:

[rising and going further away] Oh!

CHRISTIAN:

Oh, I'm growing foolish!

ROXANE:

[dryly] And that displeases me—almost as much as it would displease me if you grew ugly.

CHRISTIAN:

But—

ROXANE:

Find your eloquence that seems to have flown away!

CHRISTIAN:

I…

ROXANE:

Yes, you love me. I already know that. Good night!

CHRISTIAN:

Oh, don't go yet! I shall tell you—

ROXANE:

[opening the door] That you adore me? I've heard that enough. Go away!

CHRISTIAN:

But I—

CYRANO:

[who has re-entered unseen] Well, what a success that was!