The same, with all except DE GUICHE.

[The whole company starts forward to pick it up.]

[Everyone is confused and dismayed.]

[The CADETS cheer enthusiastically.]

[The CADETS applaud.]

[The CADETS applaud more. The dish passes from hand to hand.]

[Enthusiastic cries ensue. All the CADETS reach out to the platter.]

[She lays it all out on the grass, aided by the two lackeys who followed behind the carriage.]

[CHRISTIAN comes to help her. CYRANO'S uneasiness increases.]

[The CADETS tear open the cushions, laughing and shouting.]

[In an instant everything has been pushed into the tents or hidden in jackets, cloaks and hats. DE GUICHE enters hurriedly and suddenly stops, sniffing the air. There is silence.]

CHRISTIAN:

[begging] Roxane!

ROXANE:

No!

FIRST CADET:

[to the others] She stays!

ALL:

[hurrying, hustling each other, tidying themselves for her] A comb! Some soap! My uniform is torn! A needle! A ribbon! Lend me your mirror! Your mustache curler! A razor!

ROXANE:

[to CYRANO, who still pleads with her] No! Nothing shall make me move from this spot!

CARBON:

[who, like the others, has been buckling, dusting, brushing his hat, settling his plume, and drawing on his cuffs, advances to ROXANE, and speaks ceremoniously.] Since that is the case, let me present to you some of these gentlemen who are about to have the honor of dying before your eyes. [ROXANE bows, and stands leaning on CHRISTIAN'S arm, while CARBON introduces the cadets to her.] Baron de Peyrescous de Colignac!

THE CADET:

[bowing] Madame.

CARBON:

[continuing] Baron de Casterac de Cahuzac…Vidame de Malgouyre Estressac Lesbas d'Escarabiot…Chevalier d'Antignac-Juzet…Baron Hillot de Blagnac-Salechan de Castel Crabioules…

ROXANE:

But how many names do you each have?

BARON HILLOT:

Oh, too many to count!

CARBON:

[to ROXANE] Please, open the hand which holds your handkerchief.

ROXANE:

[opens her hand, the handkerchief falls] Why?

CARBON:

[quickly raising it] My company had no flag! But now they will have the most beautiful flag in all the camp!

ROXANE:

[smiling] ’Tis a little small.

CARBON:

[tying the handkerchief on the staff of his lance] But it's made of lace!

A CADET:

[to the rest] I could die happy, having seen such a sweet face, if only I had something in my stomach!

CARBON:

[indignantly] Shame on you! How can you speak of eating when such a lovely woman—

ROXANE:

I'm starving too! It must be the brisk air. I'd like some pâté, some cold chicken and some good wine. Would you please bring it to me?

A CADET:

You want all of that?

ANOTHER:

But where on the earth shall we find it?

ROXANE:

[quietly] In my carriage.

ALL:

What!

ROXANE:

All we must do is unpack it and serve it! Look a little closer at my coachman, gentlemen, and you'll recognize a most valuable man! All the sauces can be served hot, if you like!

THE CADETS:

[rushing to the carriage] It's Ragueneau! [loud cheers] Oh! Bravo!

ROXANE:

[looking after them] Poor fellows!

CYRANO:

[kissing her hand] Kind fairy!

RAGUENEAU:

[standing on the seat of the carriage and proclaiming] Gentlemen!

RAGUENEAU:

The Spaniards, feasting their eyes on such a beautiful lady, failed to notice the beautiful feast that she was hiding!

CYRANO:

[in a whisper to CHRISTIAN] Listen, Christian!

RAGUENEAU:

They were so occupied with gallantry that they overlooked… [He draws a plate from under the seat, and holds it up.] the galantine!

CYRANO:

[still whispering to CHRISTIAN] Please, let me have one word with you!

RAGUENEAU:

They were so hypnotized by Beauty that they failed to notice… [He holds up a roasted pig on a platter.] the Beast!

CYRANO:

[in a low whisper to CHRISTIAN] I must speak to you!

ROXANE:

[to the CADETS, who come down with their arms laden with food] Put it all on the ground!

ROXANE:

[to CHRISTIAN, just as CYRANO is drawing him away] Come and make yourself useful!

RAGUENEAU:

Peacock with truffles!

FIRST CADET:

[radiant, coming down with a big slice of ham] Thank God! We don't have to die without having had a gullet-full—[quickly correcting himself on seeing ROXANE] Pardon me! A civilized banquet, I mean!

RAGUENEAU:

[throwing down the carriage cushions] The cushions are stuffed with quail!

THIRD CADET:

Thank the Lord!

RAGUENEAU:

[throwing bottles of red and white wine down to the CADETS] Flasks of rubies and flasks of topaz!

ROXANE:

[throwing a folded tablecloth at CYRANO'S head] Unfold that napkin! Come, make it quick now!

RAGUENEAU:

[waving a lantern] Each of the carriage-lamps is a little pantry of its own!

CYRANO:

[in a low voice to CHRISTIAN, as they arrange the cloth together] I must speak with you before you speak to her.

RAGUENEAU:

The handle of my whip is a sausage!

ROXANE:

[pouring out wine and helping with the food] Since we're about to die, let's eat all this food ourselves. All for the Gascons! And, listen! If de Guiche comes back, we shall not invite him to our feast! [going from one to the other] There, there! You have time enough! Don't eat too fast. Here, have some wine. Why are you weeping?

FIRST CADET:

It's all so good!

ROXANE:

[playing the part of the hostess, speaking quickly to all of them in turn] Hush! Red or white? Some bread for Monsieur de Carbon! A knife, please! Pass your plate! A little of the crust? Some more? Let me help you! Some champagne? A wing?

CYRANO:

[who follows her, his arms laden with dishes, helping her to wait on everybody] How I worship her!

ROXANE:

[going up to CHRISTIAN] What would you like?

CHRISTIAN:

Nothing.

ROXANE:

Oh, you must! At least take this biscuit, soaked in wine!

CHRISTIAN:

[trying to detain her] Oh! Tell me why you came here!

ROXANE:

Wait! My first duty is to these poor men. Hush! In a few minutes—

LE BRET:

[who had gone up to pass a loaf of bread on the end of a lance to the sentry on the embankment] De Guiche is coming!

CYRANO:

Quick! Hide the bottles, plates, pie-dishes and meats! Everything! Hurry! Look as if nothing has been going on! [to RAGUENEAU] Get up on your seat! Is everything covered up?