A WOMAN OF THE PEOPLE [arriving on the scene]. Julie! Are you here! What are you doing with all these people?
DESMOULINS. She was addressing the crowd. [Laughter.]
THE MOTHER. And she so frightened! What's got into her? [She goes to JULIE, but the moment she touches her, the little one runs away without a word, in childish rage.]
THE CROWD [laughing and applauding]. Run away, little one! [Loud laughter is heard at the other end of the Garden.]—Come here! Come along!—What is it? They are ducking a countess!
LA CONTAT. Ducking a countess?
THE CROWD. She insulted the people! They're ducking her in the fountain!
LA CONTAT [on DESMOULINS' arm, laughing]. Let's run! How amusing!
DESMOULINS. The most amusing performance in Europe!
LA CONTAT. Insolent! What about the Comédie? [They go out laughing. The Crowd surges out. MARAT and HULIN are down-stage alone; MARAT stands, while HULIN sits at a cafe table. The back of the stage is crowded; some are standing on chairs, watching to see what is happening in the Garden. People walk about under the galleries beyond MARAT and HULIN.]
MARAT [pointing toward the Crowd]. Actors! They are not seeking liberty; they prefer plays! Today, when their very lives are in danger, they think of nothing but performing for each other. I want nothing to do with such people! Their insurrections are nothing but absurd antics. I don't want to see any more of them. Oh, to live shut up in a cave, hear nothing of the noise outside, to be free from the vileness of the world! [He sits down, his head between his hands.]