The Lady of Lavaur (anxiously)—"But what harm do we do the Catholics? Do we force our belief upon them? By what right should they want to impose theirs upon us with war and violence? In battle the children of the poor mothers are killed. (Saying this in a trembling voice and her eyes wet with tears, Giraude presses her son with anxiety and tenderness to her heart, and takes Aimery's hand.) War is the terror of mothers, sisters and wives! War is an execrable affair!"
Aimery—"Sister dear, calm your fears!"
The Lady of Lavaur—"Alas! I am no heroine. I live on my love for my son and for you, and when I think that you, together with so many friends dear to my heart, may perish in this terrible war! (Again embraces her son passionately and murmurs:) Oh! I am afraid! Good God, have mercy upon us!"
Aloys—"Good mother, do not fear; we shall defend you."
The Lady of Lavaur—"We shall flee this very evening with my brother. We shall take ship at Aigues-Mortes—"
Aimery—"And who will defend the city and the Castle of Lavaur, of which your son is the seigneur?"
The Lady of Lavaur—"Let the priests seize our castle, our lands and all, provided only my son and you are left to me!"
Aimery—"The capture of the city and the castle fatedly draws in its wake the ruin and death of all the inhabitants and men of the field who will take refuge in them at the first tidings of the Crusade. Would you leave them without a guide?"
The Lady of Lavaur—"Pardon me, brother; pardon me, friends. What I said was cowardly—"
A Farmer (enters)—"Seigneur Aimery, one of your servants has just come from the castle, where your friends have gone in haste to consider matters of grave importance with you and with Dame Giraude. Your presence is requested."