Roxanne

“ I am so tired when I go to bed. I just say 'God, you know,' and go to sleep. He understands, 'cause Miss Prissy has told him all about it beforehand."
"I just guess He does—without Miss Talbot's telling Him either," I answered as I came and sat on the front steps beside Roxanne. "And another thing, Roxanne—I—er, I don't quite know how to say it—but you—you talk like you are—that is, you seem to be friends with God just like you are with Tony Luttrell and Belle and Miss Prissy and the Colonel—and me," I continued with embarrassment. ”

“ Find by looking at the name beneath, one Roxanne Milbank, who had been chorus girl and understudy in "The Daisy Chain," but who, by reason of an excellent performance when the star was indisposed, had gained a leading part.
You would look again—and wonder. Why you had never heard of her. Why did her name not linger in popular songs and vaudeville jokes and cigar bands, and the memory of that gay old uncle of yours along with Lillian Russell and Stella Mayhew and Anna Held? Roxanne Milbank-whither had she gone? What dark trap-door had opened suddenly and swallowed her up? ”

“ I felt relieved that Roxanne felt that way, but I had to remind myself often of her rose-cloud disposition and watch carefully to see that no troubles that I can avert—like Helena Kirby—shall come to her or the Idol.
But I started on the subject of the impersonations that the Expression Class of Juniors is to give the last day of April, before the whole academy is turned over to the affairs of the Seniors, like graduation essays being practised from morning to night until you speak each one in your own dreams. ”

“ I didn't say anything to keep Roxanne from being happy over her brother getting all that money, but it made me sad. The more money you get the less happiness there seems to be on the market to buy. All Father's dollars couldn't have bought me even one of those hugs around the neck from Roxanne—I had to risk my life to get them. And that's where Lovelace Peyton and his badness come in. I'm catching my breath as I think about it.
Mr. Douglass has a little shed down in the cottage garden boxed off to make his experiments in. ”

“ Oh, why aren't people more careful about what they say before children, who can't always understand all that things mean! I will never forgive myself for bringing this awful thing down on Roxanne and her family as long as I live, though Mr. Douglass Byrd says it was not my fault at all. He was the one that called the present for Belle an explosion, and so put the idea into Lovelace Peyton's mind. ”

“ Fifteen years is a long time to starve for a little brother to love, so Lovelace Peyton almost always gets both the cake and bottles.
But his fat has begun to burst out of all the clothes he has and somebody has got to get him new ones. Roxanne and I were managing it when Mr. Douglass interrupted us this morning; and I'm glad a man is so much stupider than a woman or maybe his feelings would have got hurt and I'd have had to argue him into my plan like I did Roxanne. ”

“ Now, I call that a fair proposition, considering the circumstances, and I wish I could make Roxanne be as sensible in spirit. But I can't. Family pride is a terrible thing, like lunacy or hysterics when a person gets it bad. ”

“ I held him while she made Lovelace Peyton put his finger down in the bill and pull up the wad he had been trying to push down.
"That old rooster have got rheumatiz, Roxy, and now he'll die with no pill for it," said Lovelace, as he worked his dirty little finger down after the mud and bread; but he got it out and the poor old chicken hopped off with all his feathers ruffled up and stretching his neck as if to try it.
"Oh, Lovey, please don't kill the chickens," Roxanne said in a tone of real pleading.
"I don't never kill nothing, Roxy," he answered indignantly. ”

“ Belle said to me the first time I let Roxanne beg me into bringing my lunch instead of going home for it, as I had been doing every day to keep from seeming to be so alone, eating all by myself while they had spread theirs all together out on the side porch or even out on the big flat stone when it was warm enough. "When Roxy wanted to invite you, I felt sure you wouldn't come."
Some people have a way of freezing up all the pleasure that they can get close enough to talk over. Belle is that kind. ”

“ Roxy can't show her resentment, but her friends can. I'm a friend."
Belle uses words and talks like a grown person in a really wonderful way. She is the smartest girl in the rhetoric class and, of course, she knows more than most people, and Mamie Sue realizes that. So do I. I saw just how they all felt about me, and I don't blame them—but I just wish every time Roxanne Byrd smiles at me that I didn't have to make myself stop and remember that she does it because she has to. ”

“ The surprise to me was that the boys were so much nicer to me than the girls when Roxanne adopted me; but then it didn't make so much difference to them. The girls are always together in all of the important things of their lives, while most of the time the boys just forget all about us, unless they need us for something or we get ahead of them in class. ”

“ Some people are so afflicted with energy that their days are twenty-five and a half hours long. Mine are twenty-six just now. If it were not for the fact that several hours each day I am under the influence of Roxanne's repose, I suspect I would run down like a clock that has exhausted its mainspring. Mamie Sue says that Belle says Roxanne is shiftless, but Belle is unable to distinguish shiftlessness from noble composure under difficulties. I told Mamie Sue that it would be best for her to forget all that Belle has ever said to her ”

“ Petting has to be learned by degrees and you can't come to it suddenly. But I was happy.
And I'm happier to-night than I ever was in my life, only still scared quite a little, too. I wonder how the boys and girls are going to like Roxanne's being friends with me. How can they hate me if I haven't ever done anything to them? It makes me nervous to think about it, and that combined with the secret and the accident that didn't happen to Lovelace Peyton make my writing so shaky that I may never be able to read it. ”

“ Cousin Roxy waved to them and smiled.
"Come here," she called. "Yes, that tallest boy. 'Most twelve, aren't you, son? Old enough to hitch a horse. What's your name?"
"Yahn," answered the boy shyly.
"Yahn? Guess that's Johnnie in plain American, isn't it?" She jumped to the ground as nimbly as any girl, and handed him the hitch rope. "Doctor got over yet?"
Johnnie shook his head sadly, and the youngest girl broke suddenly into frantic, half-stifled sobbing.
"There's your work cut out for you, Jean," Roxana said briskly. "You amuse these children while your Mother and I go into the house." ”

“ Play a long time, - and play out of tune !
[To the Duenna.]
. . . Whether her soul's elected is ever the same, ever faultless !
Roxane
[coming out of the house] .
Ah ! How handsome he is, how brilliant a wit ! And - how well I love him !
Cyrano
[smiling]
Christian has so brilliant a wit ?
Roxane.
Brighter than even your own, cousin !
Cyrano.
Be it so, with all my heart !
Roxane.
Ah ! methinks 'twere impossible that there could breathe a man on this earth skilled to say as sweetly as he all the pretty nothings that mean so much - that mean all ! ”

“ Scene 5.IV. Roxane alone. Two sisters, for a moment.
ROXANE:
Ah! what a beauty in September’s close!
My sorrow’s eased. April’s joy dazzled it,
But autumn wins it with her dying calm.
(She seats herself at the embroidery frame. Two sisters come out of the
house, and bring a large armchair under the tree) :
There comes the famous armchair where he sits,
Dear faithful friend!
SISTER MARTHA:
It is the parlor’s best!
ROXANE:
Thanks, sister.
(The sisters go) :
He’ll be here now.
(She seats herself. A clock strikes) :
The hour strikes. ”

“ Roxane.
I will tell you all!
Cyrano
[who, at the sound of her voice, has stood still, rooted to the ground, afraid to raise his eyes] . My God! dare I look at her?
De Guiche.
You cannot remain here!
Roxane
[merrily] .
But I say yes! Who will push a drum hither for me? [She seats herself on the drum they roll forward.] So! I thank you. [She laughs.] My carriage was fired at [proudly] by the patrol! Look! would you not think 'twas made of a pumpkin, like Cinderella's chariot in the tale,—and the footmen out of rats. [Sending a kiss with her lips to Christian.] Good-morrow! ”

“ Good!
[Murmurs of admiration in the hall. Roxane has just appeared in her box. She seats herself in front, the duenna at the back. Christian, who is paying the Buffet-Girl, does not see her entrance.]
Second Marquis
[with little cries of joy] .
Ah, gentlemen! she is fearfully—terribly—ravishing!
First Marquis.
When one looks at her one thinks of a peach smiling at a strawberry!
Second Marquis.
And what freshness! A man approaching her too near might chance to get a bad chill at the heart?
Christian
[raising his head, sees Roxane, and catches Lignière by the arm] . ”

“ ROXANE (scornfully) .
Oh! you!
CHRISTIAN.
I must speak to you.
CYRANO (under the balcony, to Christian) .
Good! Lower your voice.
ROXANE.
No! You speak too clumsily. Better go!
CHRISTIAN.
Be pitiful!....
ROXANE.
No! You love me no more!
CHRISTIAN (prompted by Cyrano) .
You accuse me....merciful Gods!....of loving no more....when....I love more!
ROXANE (stopping as she was going to close the window) .
Why! you are improving.
CHRISTIAN (still prompted) .
Love grows stronger in the restless soul—mine—that he [Pg 115] has chosen....cruel child!....for a cradle!
ROXANE (coming out on the balcony) . ”

“ Roxane.
You read in such a voice—so strange—and yet—
It is not the first time I hear that voice!
[She comes nearer very softly, without his perceiving it, passes behind his chair, and, noiselessly leaning over him looks at the letter. The darkness deepens.] ”

“ I would fain—seeing you thus espouse my cause, Roxane—believe it a proof
of love!
ROXANE:
’Tis a proof of love!
DE GUICHE (showing some sealed papers) :
Here are the marching orders; they will be sent instantly to each company—
except—
(He detaches one) :
—This one! ’Tis that of the Cadets.
(He puts it in his pocket) :
This I keep.
(Laughing) :
Ha! ha! ha! Cyrano! His love of battle!. . .So you can play tricks on
people?. . .you, of all ladies!
ROXANE:
Sometimes!
DE GUICHE (coming close to her) :
Oh! how I love you!—to distraction! Listen! ”

“ Roxane.
Ay, I say it a master !
Cyrano.
Good - be it so.
The duenna
[coming down quickly] ,
Here comes Monsieur de Guiche !
[To Cyrano, pushing him towards the house.]
In with you ! 'twere best he see you not, it might perchance put him on the scent . . .
Roxane
[to Cyrano] .
Ay, of my own dear secret ! He loves me, and is powerful, and, if he knew, then all were lost ! Marry ! he could well deal a deathblow to my love !
Cyrano
[entering the house] .
Good ! good !
[De guiche appears.]
SCENE II
Roxane, De guiche, the Duenna standing a little way off. ”

“ It is covered with mud and dust. The curtains are closed. Two lackeys behind. It stops short.)
CARBON (shouting) .
Salute!
(Drums beat.)
GUICHE.
Lower the step!
(Two men advance rapidly. The coach door opens.)
ROXANE (jumping out of coach) .
How are you all?
(On hearing a woman's voice, they all, from a profound inclination, suddenly straighten up. Stupor.)
SCENE V. The same, ROXANE.
GUICHE.
Service of the King! You?
ROXANE.
Certainly, of the only king there is: Love!
CYRANO.
Great God.
CHRISTIAN (rushing up to her) .
You, Roxane! Wherefor?
ROXANE.
Oh! this siege was entirely too long. ”

“ One of us two! It will be you!
Christian.
One of us two! It will be you! Pray God!
[He calls.]
Roxane!
Cyrano.
Roxane! No! no!
Roxane
[coming up quickly] .
Roxane! No! no! What?
Christian.
Roxane! No! no! What? Cyrano has things
Important for your ear....
[She hastens to Cyrano. Christian goes out.]
SCENE X
Roxane, Cyrano. Then Le Bret, Carbon de Castel-Jaloux, the Cadets, Ragueneau, De Guiche, etc.
Roxane.
Important for your ear.... Important, how?...
Cyrano
[in despair. To Roxane] .
He's gone! 'Tis nought!—Oh, you know how he sees
Importance in a trifle! ”

“ It is the scene where Roxalane listens to the warm protestations of her lover, of whose perfidy she is assured, and whom she herself overheard declaring that his love for her was little other than compassion. For a few seconds the words of adoration seemed to act on her like a spell. She drinks them eagerly and madly; her eyes sparkle; her bosom heaves, her half-opened lips seem, as it were, to catch the accents; when suddenly the truth flashes across her. Her color flies; her face becomes livid in its paleness. ”

“ He glanced at the bundles as she threw them, with a letter, down on the counter, and whisked out through the door. He called after her, “Here, here, Roxy; here, my dear! Come back. I have some figs for you!”
But no Roxy came back. He heard her little heels clattering down the sidewalk fast as they could go. So he got up and read the letter, for it was directed to himself.
Here are the four notes Roxy wrote:—
“Dear Father: I Will paye you every Cent if I Live. I shall always be a Good Girl, and never hanker after Only what I have Got. ”