Lafitte, a play in prologue and four acts

by Lucile Rutland; Lucie Levéque Ayres

PED. The men swear they saw him enter.

MAR. I know he is not in the house, because he would have asked for me. I was coming into this room just now, when I overheard Manuel speaking of the use to which he had put my note.

PED. (brutally.) What else did you overhear?

MAR. (looking at him calmly and unflinchingly.) Nothing. I was on the point of entering, thinking that Father Cuthbert might be here, when I heard Manuel speak. Then I decided to wait and see what came of my note before going to the Governor. (to Manuel.) There was no need of concealment. I would have helped you if I had known.

MAN. You would?

MAR. Have I not wrongs? I wrote to Lafitte, which must be the reason of his non-appearance now, when as ill-luck would have it, he escaped from the burning of Barataria. Yes, that was my business the night of the ball; to beg the Governor’s permission to lead the delayed expedition against Barataria.

MAN. Why didn’t you let me know?

MAR. Because I wanted to do it all myself.

1st G. A woman did lead that expedition.