In the dimly lit dungeon of a Parisian prison, August of 1794, Edith lay upon a bed of straw, her eyes swollen, her gaze vacant.
Enter Raphael.
Edith (rising): Raphael? How did you find yourself here?
Raphael: Naturally, I have come to be reunited with you, my angel.
Edith: Alas, why must you torment me with your visage fair?
Your handsome face, a diamond gaze, a golden halo in your hair.
To behold your countenance, it stirs painful memories deep,
Whilst he lies in the cold earth, his soul forever in eternal sleep.
Why are you adorned so splendidly while he is laid to rest,
In the mire and filth, his body dispossessed?
Raphael: Cease your words, love, relentless reminders of your heartless ways,
For as you can see, roles reversed, the world''s order in disarray.
The tyrant who oppressed others'' liberty, now fallen in his own cage,
Whilst I, too, languish in this prison, trapped in a darker age.
Edith (with disbelief in her eyes): You conspired with those murderers in Thermidor!
Raphael: I, in fact, saved him from the guillotine''s blade, my angel. You ought to be grateful to me.
Edith: Why do I fail to comprehend the meaning behind your words?
Raphael (gesturing to the side): Bring him up.
A gaoler brings the injured Andre into the cell and roughly throws him inside.
Edith (joyfully, rushing to embrace him): Andre! You are still alive!
Exit gaoler.
Raphael: I sold myself to them in order to bring your little lover back.
Andre: Oh, my beloved, in this moment I endure such shame!
No different from death''s cold grasp, they tarnish my name!
Before the eyes of my sweetheart, I stand almost bare,
Controlled by my hateful rival, a heart filled with despair!
Edith (kissing him): At least I can kiss you once again.
Raphael: Your words once again shred my heart! Yet, I remain magnanimous; what is there that I cannot tolerate from you? Embrace him, revel in the joy of reunion, but do not forget the man standing here, whose heart also holds unrequited love!
Andre: Love renders me feeble, dearest Edith! Shall we then rejoice, for fate did not forever our souls tear? Kiss me once more, for I am alive! I am still alive, I swear!
Raphael: It is enough. I believe the joy of reunion has settled. Now it is time for the savior, to receive the