Madam Bacqueur—(Holding out her child.) Husband!
(They pass out, left. Madam Bacqueur looks after them for a while, then lifts her skirt to her eyes and sobs aloud.)
Rachel—Where are they going, child?
Jardin—Line up now, men.
We'll strike the front. Women, pray that the saints
May bring the monk to see this devil burn,
And send the old warlock down. He will breathe hard,
I slit his entrails once and put this foot
On his big chest.
(As he goes along lining up the men with his sword, the church door opens and, pale and emaciated, the monk Oswald appears.)
Fidele—Clotilde! Auntie! Rosa!
The Women—Look! Look! (They fall upon their knees.)
Jardin—What is it, women!
A Man—Look! Look!
(The men cross themselves and fall prostrate. Old Rachel and the Bailiff alone remain standing.)