The Horseman on the Roof Page #3

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Listen!

I can hear you!

No need to breathe in my face.

- Where does that path go?

- To the main road.

- That leads where?

- Anywhere!

But don't go there.

You'll be robbed by the soldiers.

And that way?

To Sorbiers.

Don't take that road either.

They're all dead!

They didn't want the cure.

What cure?

My cure! My elixir!

Want some?

Made with faraway herbs.

I've saved many lives!

- Do you sell it?

- You expect me to give it away?

Three francs.

Not much to save your ass!

I have given some for free,

but it doesn't work.

Got to pay for it to work.

Like everything.

Here.

I'll buy some and add ten francs.

Which is the safest route to Gap?

Gap is far away.

Two gold coins.

That's too much. Don't accept.

I accept.

It's a dirt track that leads to a fork.

There's a mill. Then, careful.

Take the right road, not the left.

The left goes to Montjay.

That's bad.

Montjay?

We're going there?

- No. Avoid it.

- Why?

Full of soldiers.

They haven't had a single case.

- They're sealed off.

- I have to go there.

You'll be quarantined.

Is there a Mr. Peyrolle there?

He's the mayor.

Do you know where he lives?

Well, that's a big detour.

May I?

May I speak with you?

No more Thus?

- Later. But, first, Montjay.

- Right now?

It's very important, you see.

No, I don't! It's full of soldiers.

Please keep going.

You've wasted enough time on me.

Your friends await you.

He'll take me.

Right? You'll take me to Montjay?

Well, it depends.

I'll pay. Can you get me in town?

Well, I don't know.

- It depends.

- Here!

Don't touch it!

You're out of your mind!

Two coins was too much,

but now you give your ring!

I have no money.

- How much to Montjay?

- Not that. I refuse!

I'm not leaving you with him.

He'll sell you out.

- So, how much?

- Hundred francs.

Get your box out.

In Marseilles,

bodies are piling up!

People have gone mad,

yelling and running.

They say it's the flies.

Flies! What a laugh!

If it were only that.

In Saint-Cyrice it rained toads,

and at Motte a dog read the catechism.

Wait!

What are you doing?

Leave that behind.

Let's go.

They're here. I can see lights.

I'll be leaving.

- Don't you touch me!

- I'm not. It's not over.

- You don't need me.

- Stay with us.

- But why?

- Because!

- Afraid I'll steal the horses?

- Among other things.

I'm telling you.

It's really too much.

See! Thanks, Yvonne.

I love poetry too.

But not minced with politics!

- You can't outlaw it!

- Why?

When Hugo sobs over the worker's plight,

I say:
Beware!

He's backing the rebellion!

Don't be fooled!

I beg your pardon.

Is Mr. Peyrolle in?

He just left. What is it about?

I'm Madame de Thus.

My God, don't stay outside! Come in!

I'm Mrs. Peyrolle. He'll be right back.

Go around. I'll open up!

Lucienne! No, Denise!

Go to City Hall. Tell him to come.

Oh, Lord! Hurry!

- What about me? I wait here?

- Jump!

Please forgive us.

Have you dined?

May I... Do you wish something?

- No, please.

- Lucienne! A plate!

Madame, could you...

Mother, sit there.

- I'm Joseph Rigoard, the notary.

- Monsieur.

- Mrs. Rigoard.

- Madame!

Mr. And Mrs. Barthlmy.

We're very honored by your presence.

Joseph, let the marquess take a seat.

Sorry.

Adrien, did you greet

Madame de Thus?

Let him be.

Finish up. Then eat your cake.

When did you arrive?

- Just now.

- Really?

- Where from? Thus?

- No, Manosque.

From Manosque.

My God, it's hell over there!

You weren't in town.

I was. For nearly a month.

I'll never forget what I saw.

So much suffering,

such... such horror.

One cannot imagine.

Pyres burning night and day.

The stench...

unbearable.

Burning what?

Nothing.

No, Madame! Please. Please!

I don't understand.

How did you get here?

Through quarantine?

- God, no. I avoided it.

- Yvonne! Get up!

Move away from her!

Come! Come!

What's happening?

Set the fowl down, Lucienne!

Madame, you are...

It's beyond words!

It's... criminal, truly!

- Joseph!

- What?

She's not above laws!

You've no shame!

She's spreading the disease!

You're making noise.

I can do much more than that!

You'll hurt yourself.

You're irresponsible.

Women like you should be...

Should be what?

Should be what? Finish, sir.

I came from Manosque too.

Have I a story to tell.

I breathed the air and the flies...

and held the dying in my arms.

Where are you going? Stay!

Fear is the real killer!

Look. I'm fine.

I'm perfectly fine!

Come on. Don't stay here.

They insult you.

May I handle my own affairs?

As for me, I ain't hanging around.

Here, wait with him in the garden.

Some wine?

- Andr, please. Andr!

- Let me be!

Mr. Peyrolle!

- Isn't your husband with you?

- No.

- Where is he?

- Don't you know?

- How could I?

- You were with him.

A friend.

You were with him in Valence?

Come over here!

Hey, the bottle!

Don't talk about the Valence meeting.

It's a secret. His Highness was there.

I hoped to see you there.

Where's my husband?

Not in Manosque?

No, he wasn't!

He left to go get you.

- When?

- Ten days ago.

My God!

We had to end the meeting.

Weren't you at your aunts?

I waited as long as I could.

I thought... I don't know...

that he didn't get through

and went back to Thus.

The army emptied the town.

I should've...

I'm to blame if he...

Come, sit. There.

I saw him in a dream.

He was on the road...

with the black face of... cholera...

that terrible stone-face.

He was coming towards me.

He held his hand out, and...

and suddenly, he fell...

and his face,

his body burst into flames.

He wanted me to come to Valence.

But I didn't.

I left on my own.

Now, maybe he's...

I know he is. It's my fault!

Don't say that. Not you!

I feel lost.

Stay here a while.

No, not here.

Why? I'll watch over you.

You have nothing to fear from me.

I admire you.

I'm devoted.

You know that?

You know it, right?

- I'm leaving.

- No, wait!

Where to? At night?

Are you going back to Thus?

I don't know.

So, listen. I'll take you!

You'll be safe in the mountains.

- If he doesn't return?

- He'll be back!

Men like him don't die of cholera.

At least he knows for whom he lives.

What's this? Get it out!

- Breathe in, Andr!

- You're choking us!

- We must disinfect!

- Useless!

- The priest said to.

- Stop it!

Let's not stay here. You're right.

I'll hitch the buggy.

No need.

Madame has an escort.

This way, Lieutenant! Quick!

You have horses?

Thanks.

And money?

Your saddlebags!

They're escaping!

- Andr, what are you doing?

- Let me be!

Out! Get out of here!

Never come back to my home! Out!

What?

There's no harm in trying?

Stop! Stop!

I didn't do anything!

I didn't dare wake you.

Thank you.

I'm leaving now.

Not before eating something.

I have corn flour for polenta.

Then we go.

- I'm not hungry.

- I insist.

You're pale. You must eat.

I've waited too long already.

I'll leave my teapot.

I won't forget what you did for me.

If you're back in France...

Wait. Where are you going?

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