THE SIRE DE MALETROIT’S DOOR
83
dew falling on my heart? You have seen
whether I fear death. No love worth Love’s
name ever yet needed to be asked. And
yet—in words! If you care for me at all,
do not let me lose my life in a misappre-
hension! Tho’ I would die for you blithely,
faith, I had rather live on—in your service.
Can you love me a little? Fool! Fool!
Ay, there’s a pair of us—why do we wait
here and let our happiness stand in the cold
and knock at our door all night?
BLANCHE.
Don’t! Don’t make me more miserable
and hopeless than I am.
[DENYS determines to make a general
advance.
DENYS.
[Zenderly.| Little fool !
[He waits. She struggles in herself ;
and at last ruefuland pouting, gets
up and stands before him downcast,
rubbing her eyes. He takes full
advantage of hts position.
[ith mock severity.) Aren’t youashamed
of yourself ?
BLANCHE.
[ Sobbia7¢.| After all you have heard?
DENYS.
[With double entendre.) 1 have heard
nothing.
[He opens his arms to her. She still
stands about to sob again, breaks
down, but this time flings herself
on him and sobs on his breast.
Enter ALAIN unseen.
[Softly.] My darling!
[BLANCHE ratses her face. DENYS
goes to kiss her, but she draws back.
BLANCHE.
The captain’s name was Florimond de
Cham pdivers.
DENYS.
I did not hear it. [A jawse.] Blanche,
will you kiss me?
[They take one long look and then
tenderly and very deliberately kiss.
They remain sa, silently delighting
an each other.
ALAIN,
[Comes forward with a chuckle.) Good
morning, nephew !
[They leap up covered with confusion,
recover their self- possession, and
curtsey and bow respectfully, hand
in hand.
CURTAIN.