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 café 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.]
Hulin [tranquilly smoking, with a look of irony, says to Marat]. Come, Monsieur Marat, you mustn't be discouraged. It's not worth it. They are only big children playing. You know them as well as I do:
