Part 5 (2/2)

DADDY TYL It was nothing.... It's the cricket chirping....

MUMMY TYL Can you see them?...

DADDY TYL I can.... They are sleeping quite quietly....

MUMMY TYL I can hear their breathing....

(_The door closes again_)

CURTAIN

ACT II.

SCENE I.--_At the_ FAIRY'S.

_A magnificent entrance-hall in the palace of the_ FAIRY BeRYLUNE.

_Columns of gleaming marble with gold and silver capitals, staircases, porticoes, bal.u.s.trades, etc_.

_Enter from the back, on the right, sumptuously clad, the_ CAT, SUGAR _and_ FIRE. _They come from a room which emits rays of light; it is the_ FAIRY'S _wardrobe. The_ CAT _has donned the cla.s.sic costume of Puss-in-boots_; SUGAR, _a silk dress, half white and half pale-blue; and_ FIRE _wears a number of many-coloured aigrettes and a long vermilion mantle lined with gold. They cross the whole length of the hall to the front of the stage, where the_ CAT _draws them up under a portico on the right_.

THE CAT This way, I know every inch of this palace. It was left to the Fairy Berylune by Bluebeard.... Let us make the most of our last minute of liberty, while the children and Light pay their visit to the Fairy's little daughter.... I have brought you here in order to discuss the position in which we are placed.... Are we all here?...

SUGAR I see the Dog coming out of the Fairy's wardrobe....

FIRE What on earth has he got on?...

THE CAT He has put on the livery of one of the footmen of Cinderella's coach.... It was just the thing for him.... He has the soul of a flunkey.... But let us hide behind the bal.u.s.trade.... It's strange how I mistrust him.... He had better not hear what I have to say to you....

SUGAR It is too late.... He has discovered us.... Look, here is Water also coming out of the wardrobe.... Goodness me, how fine she is!...

(_The_ DOG _and_ WATER _join the first group_.)

THE DOG (_frisking about_) There! There!... Aren't we fine I.... Just look at these laces and this embroidery!... It's real gold and no mistake!...

THE CAT (_to_ WATER) Is that Catskin's ”colour-of-time” dress?... I seem to recognise it....

WATER Yes, it's the one that suited me best....

FIRE (_between his teeth_) She's not brought her umbrella....

WATER What's that?...

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