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20
CYRANO DE BERGERAC
been and will ever be the prolific Alma Mater! Above his Toby ruff he carries a nose!—ah, good my lords, what a nose is his! When one sees it one is fain to cry aloud, 'Nay! 'tis too much! He plays a joke on us!' Then one laughs, says, 'He will anon take it off.' But no!—Monsieur de Bergerac always keeps it on.
Le Bret
[throwing back his head.]
He keeps it on,—and cleaves in two any man who dares remark on it!
Ragueneau
[proudly].
His sword—'tis one half of the Fates' shears!
First Marquis
[shrugging his shoulders].
He will not come!
Ragueneau.
I say he will! and I wager a fowl—à la Ragueneau.
The Marquis
[laughing].
Good!
[Murmurs of admiration in the hall. Roxane has just appeared in her box. She seats herself in front, the duenna at the back. Christian, who is paying the Buffet-Girl, does not see her entrance.]
