Lafitte, a play in prologue and four acts

by Lucile Rutland; Lucie Levéque Ayres

MAR. And that—was Pedro;—the man who has trapped you here now.

LAF. Impossible. He was buried at Barataria.

MAR. (shakes her head.) He was saved by Father Cuthbert.

LAF. (with sudden oppressive intuition.) And you? What did you do.

MAR. (puts out her hands blindly.) I thought Pedro had been killed ... and I did not know him then ... I loved him with all my heart ... and I believed you cruel as well as wicked....

LAF. Quick! What did you do?

MAR. I led an expedition against Barataria ... had the entire Island burned and sacked and many of the pirates killed and taken prisoners....

LAF. Merciful heaven! I understand Beluche’s warning and the peril of New Orleans! (indistinct noises of voices heard without.)

MAR. Pedro and the guard! Ah, let me try to save you! (falls on her knees.) On my knees, Jean!—for the love you bore me—(Jean lifts her from the floor.) For the love you bear your imperiled country.