[All the food and drink reappears as if by magic.]

[The CADETS shout and dance in delight.]

[He points to a row of pikes, the tops of which are seen over the ridge.]

[She takes it and they go up toward the embankment. All the CADETS take off their hats and follow them.]

[As ROXANE appears on the ridge, the tops of the lances disappear, lowered for the salute, and a shout is raised. She bows.]

[He goes hurriedly into his tent.]

DE GUICHE:

Something smells good here.

A CADET:

[singing casually] La, la, la…

DE GUICHE:

[looking at him] What's the matter with you? Your cheeks are flushed.

CADET:

Nothing's the matter! It's just my blood boiling at the thought of the coming battle!

ANOTHER:

Poom, poom-poom…

DE GUICHE:

[turning around] What's that?

CADET:

[slightly drunk] Oh, nothing! Just a little song!

DE GUICHE:

Well, aren't you in a merry mood!

CADET:

It's just that the approach of danger is intoxicating!

DE GUICHE:

[calling CARBON DE CASTEL-JALOUX, to give him an order] Captain! I— [He stops short on seeing him.] By God! You too! How strangely happy you look!

CARBON:

[red in the face, hiding a bottle behind his back with an evasive movement] Oh! I…

DE GUICHE:

Listen. I have one cannon left, and I've carried it over there. [He points.] Your men can use it in case they need it.

A CADET:

[reeling slightly] What a thoughtful action!

ANOTHER:

[with a gracious smile] How sweet of you to think of us!

DE GUICHE:

Good Lord! Have they all gone crazy? [curtly] Since you're not used to cannons, beware of the recoil on this one.

FIRST CADET:

Pooh!

DE GUICHE:

[furious, going up to him] Look here, you—!

CADET:

Gascon cannons never recoil!

DE GUICHE:

[taking him by the arm and shaking him] You're drunk! But with what?

CADET:

[loftily] The smell of gunpowder!

DE GUICHE:

[shrugging his shoulders and pushing him away, then going quickly to ROXANE] Quickly, Madame, have you made your decision?

ROXANE:

Yes, I'm staying here.

DE GUICHE:

No, you must go!

ROXANE:

No! I'm staying.

DE GUICHE:

If this is the way it's going to be, someone give me a musket.

CARBON:

Why?

DE GUICHE:

Because I, too, am staying.

CYRANO:

At last! This is true bravery, Sir!

FIRST CADET:

Then you are a Gascon after all, despite your lace collar!

ROXANE:

What's all this about?

DE GUICHE:

I will never leave any woman in danger.

SECOND CADET:

[to the first] Listen! Don't you think we ought to give him something to eat?

DE GUICHE:

[eyes sparkling] Food!

THIRD CADET:

Yes, you'll see it appear from under every hat and coat!

DE GUICHE:

[controlling himself, proudly] Do you think I'll eat your leftovers?

CYRANO:

[saluting him] You're making progress.

DE GUICHE:

[proudly, with a light touch of Gascon accent] I will fight without breaking my fast!

FIRST CADET:

[with wild delight] Spoken like a true Gascon!

DE GUICHE:

[laughing] I am a Gascon!

CADET:

He's one of us!

CARBON:

[who had disappeared behind the embankment, reappearing on the ridge] I've lined up my pikemen. They're prepared to fight until the end.

DE GUICHE:

[bowing to ROXANE] Will you accept my hand, and accompany me while I inspect them?

CHRISTIAN:

[going over to CYRANO] Tell me quickly!

PIKEMEN:

[from outside] Hurrah!

CHRISTIAN:

What is this secret?

CYRANO:

If Roxane should—

CHRISTIAN:

Should what?

CYRANO:

If she should speak of the letters—

CHRISTIAN:

Yes, go on!

CYRANO:

Don't spoil it all by seeming surprised—

CHRISTIAN:

Surprised at what?

CYRANO:

I must explain to you! It's quite a simple matter. I was reminded of it just today upon seeing her. You've written—

CHRISTIAN:

Tell me quickly!

CYRANO:

You've written to her more often than you think.

CHRISTIAN:

How so?

CYRANO:

I took it upon myself to express your passion for you! At times I wrote to her without telling you!

CHRISTIAN:

Ah, I see.

CYRANO:

It's quite simple! No great matter!

CHRISTIAN:

But we've been blockaded. How did you get the letters across?

CYRANO:

Oh! I was able to get through before dawn.

CHRISTIAN:

[folding his arms] And was that a simple matter too? Tell me, how often have “I” written? Twice a week? Three times? Four?

CYRANO:

More often still.

CHRISTIAN:

What! Every day?

CYRANO:

Yes. Every day, twice a day.

CHRISTIAN:

[violently] And you became so caught up in the mad joy of it that you risked your life—

CYRANO:

[seeing ROXANE returning] Hush! Not in front of her!