Bishop (loudly and with great severity) I, your Bishop, command it.
(Persomé does so with great reluctance and Exits r.)
Convict (shamefacedly) Monseigneur, I'm glad I didn't get away with them, curse me, I am. I'm glad.
Bishop. Now won't you sleep here, see your bed is ready.
Convict. No! (looking at the candlesticks) No! no! I daren't, I daren't—besides I must go on, I must get to Paris, it is big, and I—I can be lost there, they won't find me there and I must travel at night, do you understand?
Bishop. I see you must travel by night.
Convict. I—I didn't believe there was any good in the world—one doesn't when one has been in Hell, but somehow I—I know you're good and, and it's a queer thing to ask but—but could you, would you bless me before I go—I—I think it would help me. I—(hangs his head very shamefacedly)
Bishop (Makes sign of the cross and murmurs blessing).
Convict (tries to speak but a sob almost chokes him) Good night, (he hurries towards the door)
Bishop. Stay, my son, you have forgotten your property (giving him the candlesticks).
Convict. You mean me—you want me to take them?
Bishop. Please, they may help you.
(The Convict takes the candlesticks in absolute amazement.)
Bishop. And, my son. There is a path through the woods at the back of this cottage which leads to Paris, it is a very lonely path, and I have noticed that my good friends the gendarmes do not like lonely paths at night. It is curious.
