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You may copy it, give it away or +re-use it under the terms of the Project Gutenberg License included +with this eBook or online at www.gutenberg.org + + +Title: The Princess of Bagdad + a play in three acts + +Author: Alexandre Dumas + +Release Date: September 13, 2011 [EBook #37416] + +Language: English + +Character set encoding: ISO-8859-1 + +*** START OF THIS PROJECT GUTENBERG EBOOK THE PRINCESS OF BAGDAD *** + + + + +Produced by Chuck Greif and the Online Distributed +Proofreading Team at http://www.pgdp.net (This book was +produced from scanned images of public domain material +from the Google Print project.) + + + + + + +</pre> + +<hr class="full" /> + +<h1><small>THE</small><br /><br /> +PRINCESS OF BAGDAD,<br /><br /> +<small>A PLAY IN THREE ACTS,</small></h1> + +<p class="cb"><small>BY</small><br /><br /> +<big>ALEXANDRE DUMAS,</big> <span class="smcap">Jun.</span>,<br /><br /> +<small><i>Of the "Académie Française."</i></small></p> + +<p class="c">(<span class="smcap">Translated from the French.</span>)<br /><br /> +<span class="smcap">Under the Sanction of the Author.</span><br /><br /><br /> +London:<br /> +MARCHANT SINGER & CO.,<br /> +<span class="smcap">Ingram Court, Fenchurch Street</span>.<br /> +——<br /> +1881.<br /><br /> +<i>N.B.—All rights reserved.</i></p> + +<p><a name="page_004" id="page_004"></a></p> + +<p> +<br /> +<br /> +</p> + +<table border="2" cellpadding="4" cellspacing="0" summary=""> +<tr><td><a href="#ACT_I"><b>ACT I.</b></a><br /> +<a href="#ACT_II"><b>ACT II.</b></a><br /> +<a href="#ACT_III"><b>ACT III.</b></a><br /></td></tr> +</table> + +<p> +<br /> +<br /> +</p> + +<table border="0" cellpadding="2" cellspacing="0" summary=""> +<tr><th align="center" +style="font-family:sans-serif;"><a name="DRAMATIS_PERSONAE" id="DRAMATIS_PERSONAE"></a><i>DRAMATIS PERSONĆ.</i></th></tr> +<tr><td> </td></tr> +<tr><td align="left">JOHN DE HUN.</td></tr> +<tr><td align="left">NOURVADY.</td></tr> +<tr><td align="left">GODLER.</td></tr> +<tr><td align="left">RICHARD.</td></tr> +<tr><td align="left">TRÉVELÉ.</td></tr> +<tr><td align="left" class="smcap">A Commissary of Police.</td></tr> +<tr><td align="left">LIONNETTE.</td></tr> +<tr><td align="left">RAOUL DE HUN (six years).</td></tr> +<tr><td align="left" class="smcap">A Lady's-Maid.</td></tr> +<tr><td align="left" class="smcap">A Nurse.</td></tr> +<tr><td align="left">ANTHONY.</td></tr> +<tr><td align="left" class="smcap">A Footman.</td></tr> +<tr><td align="left" class="smcap">A Secretary of the Commissary of Police.</td></tr> +<tr><td align="left" class="smcap">Two Agents.</td></tr> +<tr><td> </td></tr> +<tr><td align="center">——</td></tr> +<tr><td align="center" class="smcap">In Paris.</td></tr> +<tr><td align="center">——</td></tr> +</table> + +<p> +<br /> +<br /> +</p> + +<p><a name="page_005" id="page_005"></a></p> + +<h1><small>THE</small><br /><br /> +PRINCESS OF BAGDAD.</h1> + +<p class="figcenter"> +<img src="images/deco_bar.png" width="150" height="" alt="decorative bar" title="" /> +</p> + +<h3><a name="ACT_I" id="ACT_I"></a>ACT I.</h3> + +<div class="blockquot"><p class="hang"><i>A large and very elegant drawing-room, looking out on a garden. +French window with balcony at the lower extremity to the right. To +the left a conservatory. To the right a door opening into the +apartment of</i> <span class="smcap">Lionnette</span>. <i>To the left a door opening into the +apartment of</i> <span class="smcap">John</span>.</p></div> + +<h4><span class="smcap">Scene I.</span></h4> + +<p class="c">RICHARD, <span class="smcap">The Footman</span>; afterwards JOHN and LIONNETTE.</p> + +<p class="c"><span class="smcap">The Footman</span> (<i>to</i> <span class="smcap">Richard</span>, <i>who waits sitting near a table, turning over +some papers</i>.)</p> + +<p>The Count de Hun is here.</p> + +<p class="charct"><span class="smcap">John</span> <i>enters</i>; <i>the</i> <span class="smcap">Footman</span> <i>goes out</i>.</p> + +<p class="charct"><span class="smcap">John.</span></p> + +<p>I am quite at your service, Master Richard, but I regret that you have +inconvenienced yourself to come.<a name="page_006" id="page_006"></a></p> + +<p class="charct"><span class="smcap">Richard.</span></p> + +<p>Not at all; I live about two steps from here, and every evening, after +my dinner, I take a short walk. Only, I am in a frock-coat, and you have +friends.</p> + +<p class="charct"><span class="smcap">John.</span></p> + +<p>Men only, some club friends. Lionnette is with them in the conservatory.</p> + +<p class="charct"><span class="smcap">Richard.</span></p> + +<p>Muster all the courage of which you are master.</p> + +<p class="charct"><span class="smcap">John.</span></p> + +<p>We are ruined?</p> + +<p class="charct"><span class="smcap">Richard.</span></p> + +<p>Yes.</p> + +<p class="charct"><span class="smcap">John.</span></p> + +<p>Poor Lionnette!</p> + +<p class="charct"><span class="smcap">Richard.</span></p> + +<p>Alas! It is a little her fault.</p> + +<p class="charct"><span class="smcap">John.</span></p> + +<p>It is the fault of her mother, who reared her in luxury and without +order. It is my fault, too, who was not as rich as my love; who not only +never knew how to refuse her anything, but who did not even allow her +time to wish for it; who told her to buy whatever she might wish for.</p> + +<p class="charct"><span class="smcap">Richard.</span></p> + +<p>And who also gave her by power of attorney—serious imprudence!—the +right of buying, selling, of disposing of her property, and, in +consequence, of yours, as it seemed fit to her. You owe one million, a +hundred and seven<a name="page_007" id="page_007"></a> thousand, one hundred and twenty-seven francs, +fifty-two centimes. When I say, you owe, that is a figure of speech; +your wife owes. In that amount there are only thirty-eight thousand +francs of your own personal debts, and for which personally you have to +be responsible, as you were married under the system of "separation of +property."</p> + +<p class="charct"><span class="smcap">John.</span></p> + +<p>I authorised my wife to make debts, these debts then are mine. In other +words, as she has no money, it is I who have to pay. What are my assets?</p> + +<p class="charct"><span class="smcap">Richard.</span></p> + +<p>There is this house in which we are, which is worth eight hundred +thousand francs when one does not want to sell it, but which would be +worth from five hundred and fifty to five hundred and eighty thousand, +the moment one is obliged to part with it; it is mortgaged for four +hundred and fifty thousand francs.... Then there are the horses, the +furniture, the laces, the jewels....</p> + +<p class="charct"><span class="smcap">John.</span></p> + +<p>Very few jewels. A year ago Lionnette sold every jewel she had, with +that heedlessness, that lightness of disposition, and that want of +consideration, which are the basis of her character, and which you so +well know.</p> + +<p class="charct"><span class="smcap">Richard.</span></p> + +<p>Ah! well, when you have sold all that you can possibly sell, there will +remain about four hundred thousand francs.</p> + +<p class="charct"><span class="smcap">John.</span></p> + +<p>Of capital?</p> + +<p class="charct"><span class="smcap">Richard.</span></p> + +<p>Of debts.<a name="page_008" id="page_008"></a></p> + +<p class="charct"><span class="smcap">John.</span></p> + +<p>And the entail of my property?</p> + +<p class="charct"><span class="smcap">Richard.</span></p> + +<p>Ten thousand pounds income, inalienable, and all in your own power, +fortunately.</p> + +<p class="charct"><span class="smcap">John.</span></p> + +<p>Is it impossible to realize the capital?</p> + +<p class="charct"><span class="smcap">Richard.</span></p> + +<p>Utterly impossible. Your uncle foresaw what has happened, and, with the +knowledge of your habits and the wishes of your mother, he was anxious +to preserve to you always a crust of bread. There remains your sister.</p> + +<p class="charct"><span class="smcap">John</span> (<i>with a doubtful tone</i>).</p> + +<p>Yes, my sister!</p> + +<p class="charct"><span class="smcap">Richard.</span></p> + +<p>When you were married seven years ago, you know under what conditions, +you had nothing more than what remained to you of the fortune of your +father, about eight or nine hundred thousand francs. You made some legal +interpellations against your mother in order to marry Lionnette—I call +your wife Lionnette quite unceremoniously, as I knew her from her +birth,—and your mother, even in her dying hour, did not pardon you. She +has looked well after your sister's interest, and out of the 6,000,000 +that she had she has left you only two, of which half went to pay the +debts that you had already incurred. Your mother was a woman of clear +perception....</p> + +<p class="charct"><span class="smcap">John.</span></p> + +<p>Yes; but she ought to have understood....<a name="page_009" id="page_009"></a></p> + +<p class="charct"><span class="smcap">Richard.</span></p> + +<p>It is not easy to understand or to excuse that which wounds us in our +tenderest feelings and in our most sacred traditions. The Countess of +Hun, your mother, was entirely against the marriage you made. She knew +you to be a man led by a first impression, incapable of resisting the +first impulse. These tendencies are dangerous, not only for him who has +them, but also for those who surround him. My age authorizes me to speak +in this way to you. Your mother has only done, then, what every prudent +judicious mother, loving her son, would have done in her place. In spite +of everything, you married Mademoiselle de Quansas. I do not say that +you were wrong; I simply make, as a lawyer and friend, the summary of a +moral and legal position, and, in face of the present difficulties, I +try to find out what we can obtain from it. Your sister is married, and +to a husband who is head of the community. She has five children; an +inheritance invested at interest, the portion which ought to come back +to you having been left and allotted by your mother to the minor +children; your mother made your sister swear never to alter her +disposition of the property. These are all excellent reasons for keeping +her brother's money. I am a lawyer; I understand these legitimate +scruples of conscience!</p> + +<p class="charct"><span class="smcap">John.</span></p> + +<p>I start to-morrow for Rennes. I shall go to see my sister; she will +yield, perhaps, for the honour of our name.</p> + +<p class="charct"><span class="smcap">Richard.</span></p> + +<p>That name is no longer her's.</p> + +<p class="charct"><span class="smcap">John.</span></p> + +<p>Nevertheless, I will try.<a name="page_010" id="page_010"></a></p> + +<p class="charct"><span class="smcap">Richard.</span></p> + +<p>Let us hope, but do not rely upon it. Your wife also had hope to the +last, and has made a last effort among the family of ... her father: she +has failed.</p> + +<p class="charct"><span class="smcap">John.</span></p> + +<p>Yes.</p> + +<p class="charct"><span class="smcap">Richard.</span></p> + +<p>There is still another plan.</p> + +<p class="charct"><span class="smcap">John.</span></p> + +<p>And that is?</p> + +<p class="charct"><span class="smcap">Richard.</span></p> + +<p>Call your creditors together, and offer them so much per cent.</p> + +<p class="charct"><span class="smcap">John.</span></p> + +<p>Never.</p> + +<p class="charct"><span class="smcap">Lionnette</span> (<i>who enters during these last words</i>).</p> + +<p>Never! If we have a sum larger than or equal to our debts, we must pay +them fully; if we have only a smaller amount, we must give it to them on +account, and look for means to procure the remainder; if we are not able +to do it, then we have robbed all these confiding tradesmen, and there +is but one thing left for my husband and me to do, that is, to shut +ourselves up in a room hermetically sealed, set light to a pan of +charcoal, and die together.</p> + +<p class="charct"><span class="smcap">John</span> (<i>kissing her hands</i>).</p> + +<p>I adore you.</p> + +<p class="charct"><span class="smcap">Richard.</span></p> + +<p>Yes, it is very fine, but like a drama or a romance, it is not reality.<a name="page_011" id="page_011"></a></p> + +<p class="charct"><span class="smcap">Lionnette.</span></p> + +<p>On the contrary, it is the most simple thing in the world—for me, at +least. Either life, with all it is able to bestow, or death, with all it +can promise; I understand nothing else. Do you think that after living +as I have done, at my age I am going to allow myself to live in a +garret, to go to market, and to reckon accounts with the laundress and +general servant? It is unnecessary to try, I could never do it. +Hunting-hound, shepherd-dog, if you like; blind-beggar's dog, never!</p> + +<p class="charct"><span class="smcap">Richard.</span></p> + +<p>And your son?</p> + +<p class="charct"><span class="smcap">Lionnette.</span></p> + +<p>My son, I would not have him die with us, it is very evident. But my son +is six years old; he could still be brought up otherwise than I was. One +could instil in him habits of work, and ordinary tastes, that I never +had. There are 10,000 francs income from his father and the heirship +inalienable; it would be misery for us, but independence for him. Men +have no want of money, they only want it for their wives. It will be his +duty not to love a prodigal like myself, and perhaps our example will be +a warning for him.</p> + +<p class="charct"><span class="smcap">Richard.</span></p> + +<p>Very well. Now that we have well talked over, or rather you have well +talked over, the useless and senseless, let us speak about the possible. +Is it long since you have seen the Baroness de Spadetta?</p> + +<p class="charct"><span class="smcap">Lionnette.</span></p> + +<p>I see women as little as possible, my dear Richard, as you know well. +Those who would come to me, I do not wish to see; others have had an air +of making me feel their visits<a name="page_012" id="page_012"></a> too great an honour. Let them stay at +home; every one is free. Women, besides, are for other women nothing but +enemies or accomplices. As to enemies, I have enough of them +out-of-doors, without attracting them to my house; as to accomplices, I +have not yet required any, and I hope to continue so. I content myself +with the society of men; at least with them one knows what to adhere to, +one knows quite well what they desire. But as to Madame Spadetta, that +speaks for itself: she robbed me, and I turned her out, or nearly so. In +any case, I want to see her no more.</p> + +<p class="charct"><span class="smcap">Richard.</span></p> + +<p>She robbed you! In what way?</p> + +<p class="charct"><span class="smcap">Lionnette.</span></p> + +<p>She knew my mother from my infancy: she was sometimes the mediator of my +mother and myself with my father on matters of business, as she occupied +an important place about him. A short time before his death my father +said to me, "If I should die, Madame de Spadetta will remit you +1,500,000 francs." My father could leave me nothing in an official and +public will, but he was incapable of telling me a thing like that if it +were not true. There was left to Madame de Spadetta 2,000,000, with this +note: "I am sure that Madame de Spadetta will make good use of that +sum." It is clear. She kept the whole; it was easy to do.</p> + +<p class="charct"><span class="smcap">John.</span></p> + +<p>You have never spoken to me of that.</p> + +<p class="charct"><span class="smcap">Lionnette.</span></p> + +<p>What good would it have done?</p> + +<p class="charct"><span class="smcap">John.</span></p> + +<p>Have you claimed that amount from her?<a name="page_013" id="page_013"></a></p> + +<p class="charct"><span class="smcap">Lionnette.</span></p> + +<p>Certainly. She denied it.</p> + +<p class="charct"><span class="smcap">John</span> (<i>to</i> <span class="smcap">Richard</span>).</p> + +<p>You might follow it up.</p> + +<p class="charct"><span class="smcap">Richard.</span></p> + +<p>No; it is trust-money. The law does not recognize it, and besides....</p> + +<p class="charct"><span class="smcap">Lionnette.</span></p> + +<p>I have only my word to support what I say. Madame de Spadetta replied to +me that what my father had left her was in remuneration for services +that her husband and she had rendered my father for thirty years. The +truth is, that out of these two millions there were five hundred +thousand francs for what she calls her services, and fifteen hundred +thousand francs for me. It is for that that I turned her out of doors.</p> + +<p class="charct"><span class="smcap">Richard.</span></p> + +<p>Knowing that I have the care of your affairs, she came to find me +out....</p> + +<p class="charct"><span class="smcap">Lionnette.</span></p> + +<p>To....</p> + +<p class="charct"><span class="smcap">Richard.</span></p> + +<p>To offer you five hundred thousand francs.</p> + +<p class="charct"><span class="smcap">Lionnette.</span></p> + +<p>On the part of whom? for she is a person equal to any kind of embassy.</p> + +<p class="charct"><span class="smcap">Richard.</span></p> + +<p>On the part of your father's family.<a name="page_014" id="page_014"></a></p> + +<p class="charct"><span class="smcap">Lionnette.</span></p> + +<p>What does she demand in return?...</p> + +<p class="charct"><span class="smcap">Richard.</span></p> + +<p>The giving up....</p> + +<p class="charct"><span class="smcap">Lionnette.</span></p> + +<p>Of all my father's letters.</p> + +<p class="charct"><span class="smcap">Richard.</span></p> + +<p>Yes; you knew it?</p> + +<p class="charct"><span class="smcap">Lionnette.</span></p> + +<p>I suspected it, from a few words she said to me. I refuse to do so.</p> + +<p class="charct"><span class="smcap">Richard.</span></p> + +<p>Your mother, before she died, handed over, for a much less important +amount, all the letters that she also possessed from your father.</p> + +<p class="charct"><span class="smcap">Lionnette.</span></p> + +<p>My mother did as she pleased; I, too, shall do as I please; and, as my +mother is dead, I refrain from saying all I think.</p> + +<p class="charct"><span class="smcap">Richard.</span></p> + +<p>Why do you care so much about those letters?</p> + +<p class="charct"><span class="smcap">Lionnette.</span></p> + +<p>You ask me that, Mr. Richard? Why do I care so much for the letters of a +father whom I loved, who loved me, the man who was my father, and who is +dead?</p> + +<p class="charct"><span class="smcap">Richard.</span></p> + +<p>What do you intend to do with them?<a name="page_015" id="page_015"></a></p> + +<p class="charct"><span class="smcap">Lionnette.</span></p> + +<p>To keep them, to read them over again, as I do now from time to time, +when the living trouble or disgust me; and when I die, carry them with +me and give them back to him—to him—if it be true that one meets again +in death those one has loved in life. Who knows? Perhaps, after being so +powerful on earth, he will have no one but me in heaven. So I must keep +something by which he may know me—up there—since he was not able to +recognize me here below.</p> + +<p class="charct"><span class="smcap">John</span> (<i>to</i> <span class="smcap">Richard</span>).</p> + +<p>How can one help worshipping that woman? (<i>He takes her head between his +hands and kisses her hair.</i>) There.</p> + +<p class="charct"><span class="smcap">Richard</span> (<i>taking the hand of</i> <span class="smcap">Lionnette</span>).</p> + +<p>The fact is that she has the blood of a good race in her, and that they +named you very appropriately, calling you Lionnette—little lioness; but +unfortunately it is not with that that creditors are paid, and I offer +you the only way which is open to you.</p> + +<p class="charct"><span class="smcap">Lionnette.</span></p> + +<p>God has hitherto given, God will give again; if He forget us, then +chance must take us.</p> + +<h4><span class="smcap">Scene II.</span></h4> + +<p class="c">GODLER, NOURVADY, TRÉVELÉ.</p> + +<p class="charct"><span class="smcap">Trévelé</span> (<i>going towards</i> <span class="smcap">Lionnette</span>.)</p> + +<p>Tell me, Countess, are we, yes or no, Godler the ever youthful, Nourvady +the ever grave, and I, Trévelé, the ever<a name="page_016" id="page_016"></a> jesting—are we, yes or no, +invited by you, Countess, the ever beautiful, and by your husband, the +ever blissful (it would be difficult for him to be otherwise)—are we, +yes or no, invited to dine at your table and to spend the evening with +you afterwards?</p> + +<p class="charct"><span class="smcap">Lionnette.</span></p> + +<p>Yes.</p> + +<p class="charct"><span class="smcap">Trévelé.</span></p> + +<p>Then, lovely countess, permit me to observe that you are never where we +are. Kindly give us information. When one sees you one loves you; but +when one loves you where does one see you?</p> + +<p class="charct"><span class="smcap">Lionnette</span> (<i>smiling</i>).</p> + +<p>Here.</p> + +<p class="charct"><span class="smcap">Trévelé.</span></p> + +<p>We supposed so, but it is now two hours since....</p> + +<p class="charct"><span class="smcap">Lionnette.</span></p> + +<p>Oh! not two hours!</p> + +<p class="charct"><span class="smcap">Trévelé.</span></p> + +<p>Three hours ago you forsook us in the middle of the conservatory. First, +a domestic came to look for the count; we accepted that affliction: but, +in your turn, you disappeared without even troubling any one to come and +look for you. Well, we are all three charming—Godler, Nourvady, and I; +it is difficult to find three more delightful and witty men, but we have +such a habit of seeing each other that we do not enjoy ourselves at all +when we are by ourselves. So if, after having us for seven hours, you +discover you have had enough of us, tell us so without ceremony. We are +going to drive back to the club, where<a name="page_017" id="page_017"></a> we shall have a good game of +baccarat; we will try, Godler and I, to win a hundred thousand francs +from that millionaire Nourvady;—that will make him cheerful, perhaps.</p> + +<p class="charct"><span class="smcap">Lionnette.</span></p> + +<p>Gentlemen, I offer you every excuse. It was on account of a most +important and unforeseen affair. (<i>She presents</i> <span class="smcap">Richard</span>.) Master +Richard, solicitor, an old friend of mine. (<i>She introduces the +gentlemen.</i>) Mr. de Trévelé, Mr. Godler, Mr. Nourvady. (<i>The gentlemen +bow.</i>) And now, to strengthen you after all your fatigue and trouble, I +am going to offer you a cup of tea, iced coffee, or chocolate.</p> + +<p>(<i>She approaches the table, upon which, during this discourse, the +servants have put the articles mentioned.</i>)</p> + +<p class="charct"><span class="smcap">Raoul</span> (<i>entering with his nurse, who remains near the door, and going to +his mother</i>).</p> + +<p>Mamma!</p> + +<p class="charct"><span class="smcap">Lionnette.</span></p> + +<p>Gentlemen, here is my son, whom I beg to present to you. Bow, Raoul.</p> + +<p>(<span class="smcap">Raoul</span> <i>bows already like a man of the world, putting his heels together +and bending his head</i>; <span class="smcap">Trévelé</span> <i>and</i> <span class="smcap">Godler</span> <i>kiss him</i>; <span class="smcap">Nourvady</span> <i>kisses +his hand, after hesitating a moment</i>; <span class="smcap">Raoul</span> <i>goes back to his mother, +who kisses him, putting her arm round his neck</i>.)</p> + +<p class="charct"><span class="smcap">Raoul.</span></p> + +<p>Take care, you will crumple my collar.</p> + +<p class="charct"><span class="smcap">Lionnette.</span></p> + +<p>I beg your pardon, I wanted to kiss you. You don't love me, then?<a name="page_018" id="page_018"></a></p> + +<p class="charct"><span class="smcap">Raoul.</span></p> + +<p>Oh, yes, I love you very much.</p> + +<p class="charct"><span class="smcap">Lionnette.</span></p> + +<p>Then you are going to help me pour out the tea?</p> + +<p class="charct"><span class="smcap">Raoul.</span></p> + +<p>No; I came to ask not to go to bed yet. I should prefer to play with +Jane's little nephew, who has come with his mother to see her, but she +will not let me without your permission.</p> + +<p class="charct"><span class="smcap">Lionnette.</span></p> + +<p>Very well, I give you leave. Run away now, my child.</p> + +<p class="charct"><span class="smcap">Raoul.</span></p> + +<p>Good bye. (<i>He goes away running.</i>)</p> + +<p class="charct"><span class="smcap">Lionnette.</span></p> + +<p>And you go away like that? (<span class="smcap">Raoul</span> <i>bows again, and wants to go away</i>. +<span class="smcap">Lionnette</span> <i>shows him</i> <span class="smcap">Richard</span>.) And Mr. Richard? And your father, too?</p> + +<p>(<i>At each name mentioned</i> <span class="smcap">Raoul</span> <i>passes to the person, who kisses him. +One can see he is in a great hurry to run away. When he gets to</i> <span class="smcap">John</span>, +<i>the latter takes him in his arms and kisses him very warmly</i>.)</p> + +<p class="charct"><span class="smcap">John.</span></p> + +<p>Don't be afraid, I am not going to crumple your collar. (<i>He puts the +child on the ground again, who tries afresh to escape.</i>)</p> + +<p class="charct"><span class="smcap">Lionnette</span> (<i>who during this time is serving the tea</i>).</p> + +<p>And me, Raoul.</p> + +<p>(<span class="smcap">Raoul</span> <i>runs back again and kisses his mother</i>.)<a name="page_019" id="page_019"></a></p> + +<p class="charct"><span class="smcap">Lionnette</span> (<i>with a sigh</i>).</p> + +<p>Go and play, my child, go; and amuse yourself well.</p> + +<p>(<span class="smcap">Lionnette</span>, <i>a cup in each hand, presents one to</i> <span class="smcap">Godler</span>, <i>the other to</i> +<span class="smcap">Trévelé</span>.)</p> + +<p class="charct"><span class="smcap">Godler</span> (<i>touching</i> <span class="smcap">Lionnette</span>'s <i>hand with his lips</i>).</p> + +<p>Dare I be so bold?</p> + +<p class="charct"><span class="smcap">Lionnette.</span></p> + +<p>If you wish it.</p> + +<p class="charct"><span class="smcap">Trévelé.</span></p> + +<p>And I?</p> + +<p class="charct"><span class="smcap">Lionnette.</span></p> + +<p>And you, too. Only, take the cups, or you will burn my hands with the +tea.</p> + +<p class="charct"><span class="smcap">Godler.</span></p> + +<p>And you, Nourvady?</p> + +<p class="charct"><span class="smcap">Nourvady.</span></p> + +<p>Thank you, I ask for nothing, not even a cup of tea.</p> + +<p>(<span class="smcap">John</span> <i>chats with</i> <span class="smcap">Richard</span> <i>in a corner</i>.)</p> + +<p class="charct"><span class="smcap">Trévelé.</span></p> + +<p>And the Countess will be right never to give you anything. People who +ask nothing are often those who wish too much. Under cover of forty +millions....</p> + +<p class="charct"><span class="smcap">Nourvady.</span></p> + +<p>My money has nothing to do with this.<a name="page_020" id="page_020"></a></p> + +<p class="charct"><span class="smcap">Trévelé.</span></p> + +<p>Certainly not; but all the same, when one has forty millions one finds a +great many things easier than when one has, like me, only one. Ah, well, +I must say, to the credit of Nourvady, it is in vain that he has two +millions income at least—because he is a man who makes the best of his +capital. He is, after all, the most sentimental of us three, and who +takes love most seriously. He is a millionaire Anthony, and in our time +it is remarkable.</p> + +<p class="charct"><span class="smcap">Godler.</span></p> + +<p>And useful.</p> + +<p>(<span class="smcap">Richard</span> <i>and</i> <span class="smcap">John</span>, <i>who have chatted in a corner of the drawing-room, +make their way to the terrace, where they chat in sight of the public</i>.)</p> + +<p class="charct"><span class="smcap">Nourvady.</span></p> + +<p>I do not know why Trévelé always assails me on the score of my fortune, +of which I talk as little as possible. I am rich, but it is through no +fault of mine. If that had depended on me alone, it certainly would +never have happened. I am not clever enough to make forty millions. +Fortunately, I had a father who was very intelligent, and, at the same +time, very honourable. This father had a large bank at Vienna, which was +very prosperous. He died, leaving me forty millions. It was, therefore, +necessary to resign myself to accept them.</p> + +<p class="charct"><span class="smcap">Lionnette.</span></p> + +<p>Easy resignation, I think, and that I should have had like you.</p> + +<p class="charct"><span class="smcap">Nourvady.</span></p> + +<p>Ah! Madam, a fortune is a burden like anything else, at least for a man, +for women have more grace and intelligence<a name="page_021" id="page_021"></a> in spending money than we. +But with much simplicity, a few efforts of the intellect, a little +ingenuity in the way of rendering services—there is sometimes a way to +get out of the difficulty—for a man.</p> + +<p class="charct"><span class="smcap">Trévelé.</span></p> + +<p>And you get out of it remarkably well, my dear fellow! If we tease you +about your millions, it is because it is the only subject we can joke +you upon.</p> + +<p class="charct"><span class="smcap">Nourvady</span> (<i>holding out his hand to him</i>).</p> + +<p>Rest assured, my dear Trévelé, that I am never offended at your jokes.</p> + +<p class="charct"><span class="smcap">Godler</span> (<i>to</i> <span class="smcap">Trévelé</span>).</p> + +<p>It is very fortunate for you, for if Nourvady were at all susceptible +you would have a nice time.</p> + +<p class="charct"><span class="smcap">Trévelé.</span></p> + +<p>Why?</p> + +<p class="charct"><span class="smcap">Godler.</span></p> + +<p>Because he kills a bird at every shot.</p> + +<p class="charct"><span class="smcap">Trévelé.</span></p> + +<p>But I am not a bird.</p> + +<p class="charct"><span class="smcap">Godler.</span></p> + +<p>And he hits the mark eleven times out of twelve, and barely escapes the +twelfth.</p> + +<p class="charct"><span class="smcap">Nourvady.</span></p> + +<p>Fortunately I have an easy temper, which I have acquired by +self-control, for I was naturally violent and irritable.<a name="page_022" id="page_022"></a></p> + +<p class="charct"><span class="smcap">Godler.</span></p> + +<p>That poor Marnepont discovered something of that.</p> + +<p class="charct"><span class="smcap">Nourvady.</span></p> + +<p>Don't let us speak of that.</p> + +<p class="charct"><span class="smcap">Lionnette.</span></p> + +<p>Oh, yes, please let us speak of it. I knew Mr. de Marnepont very well, +and I have heard in fact that he was killed. By you, then?</p> + +<p class="charct"><span class="smcap">Nourvady.</span></p> + +<p>Alas! yes, madam.</p> + +<p class="charct"><span class="smcap">Lionnette.</span></p> + +<p>In a duel?</p> + +<p class="charct"><span class="smcap">Nourvady.</span></p> + +<p>Certainly. I did not assassinate him.</p> + +<p class="charct"><span class="smcap">Lionnette.</span></p> + +<p>He was very annoying.</p> + +<p class="charct"><span class="smcap">Nourvady.</span></p> + +<p>That was not the only reason of his death. He had other defects. He was +insolent, and, above all, a liar.</p> + +<p class="charct"><span class="smcap">Lionnette.</span></p> + +<p>What insolence was he guilty of? What lie did he tell? I will wager +there was a woman in the case.</p> + +<p>(<span class="smcap">Richard</span> <i>is gone</i>. <span class="smcap">John</span> <i>hears all that is said, leaning upon the back +of the couch where his wife is sitting</i>.)<a name="page_023" id="page_023"></a></p> + +<p class="charct"><span class="smcap">Nourvady.</span></p> + +<p>No, madam, it concerned me pitifully. Mr. de Marnepont calumniated me. +He said I was hump-backed, which is not true. I have only the left +shoulder a little higher than the right.</p> + +<p class="charct"><span class="smcap">Lionnette.</span></p> + +<p>That is not seen at all.</p> + +<p class="charct"><span class="smcap">Nourvady.</span></p> + +<p>It is not seen any longer, especially since that duel. In any case, no +one says any more about it. My father, it is true, had a round back—at +the close of his life principally. He had worked hard, stooping over a +desk. That makes one round-shouldered in the end. Poor father! he said +to me: "You have one shoulder higher than the other, the left; you get +that from me; I ask your pardon for it, and I will endeavour to leave +you what will make you forget it. But there are some people who will +mock much more willingly at you as you will be very rich. Be strong in +all sword-play, then; that will equalize everything." I followed the +advice of my father, and I am astonished at the result. Then, as Mr. de +Marnepont was a very good shot, I chose the pistol as our weapon. I was +affronted, so wished to show him what good play was. We were allowed to +fire at will; he fired first, and lodged a ball in my right shoulder, +which naturally made me make this movement (<i>he raises his right +shoulder a little</i>), for it was very painful, and I suffer from it often +still. There are some days when my right arm is as if paralyzed. Whoever +would get the better of me if I affronted him, has only to choose the +sword; I should probably be killed at the second thrust.</p> + +<p class="charct"><span class="smcap">Trévelé.</span></p> + +<p>And Marnepont?<a name="page_024" id="page_024"></a></p> + +<p class="charct"><span class="smcap">Nourvady.</span></p> + +<p>Ah, well! In making the movement occasioned by the pain, this shoulder +was for the moment higher than that. (<i>He raises the right arm a +little.</i>) "Ah, said my opponent, laughing, I made a mistake, it is the +right which is highest." It was not bad—for him, but it was bad taste. +Then I fired. It was the first time that poor fellow showed any wit; he +wasn't used to it; it killed him.</p> + +<p class="charct"><span class="smcap">Godler</span> (<i>quite low to</i> <span class="smcap">Trévelé</span>).</p> + +<p>He wants to rise in the estimation of our hostess; he is a clever +fellow.</p> + +<p class="charct"><span class="smcap">Lionnette</span> (<i>looking at</i> <span class="smcap">Nourvady</span>, <i>who is going towards</i> <span class="smcap">Godler</span> <i>and</i> +<span class="smcap">Trévelé</span>, <i>one sitting and the other standing at the other side of the +room</i>).</p> + +<p>He is peculiar, that man.</p> + +<p class="charct"><span class="smcap">John.</span></p> + +<p>Do you find him odd?</p> + +<p class="charct"><span class="smcap">Lionnette.</span></p> + +<p>Yes, he is so unlike any one else.</p> + +<p class="charct"><span class="smcap">John.</span></p> + +<p>Indeed?</p> + +<p class="charct"><span class="smcap">Lionnette.</span></p> + +<p>What is the matter with you? What are you thinking about?</p> + +<p class="charct"><span class="smcap">John.</span></p> + +<p>I am thinking that that odd man is very happy.<a name="page_025" id="page_025"></a></p> + +<p class="charct"><span class="smcap">Lionnette.</span></p> + +<p>In having the left shoulder higher than the right, and a ball in the +latter?</p> + +<p class="charct"><span class="smcap">John.</span></p> + +<p>In having what I have not, in having forty millions.</p> + +<p class="charct"><span class="smcap">Lionnette.</span></p> + +<p>Ah, yes, that would help us out of our difficulties.</p> + +<p class="charct"><span class="smcap">John.</span></p> + +<p>My poor Lionnette, I am very unhappy.</p> + +<p class="charct"><span class="smcap">Lionnette.</span></p> + +<p>Why?</p> + +<p class="charct"><span class="smcap">John.</span></p> + +<p>Because I am not able to give you any longer what I formerly gave you.</p> + +<p class="charct"><span class="smcap">Lionnette.</span></p> + +<p>I shall do very well without it.</p> + +<p class="charct"><span class="smcap">John.</span></p> + +<p>You are incapable of it; you said it yourself just now.</p> + +<p class="charct"><span class="smcap">Lionnette.</span></p> + +<p>There are moments when I no longer know what I say; you must not pay +attention to it. Chance has done much for me in my life; it may still +find a way.</p> + +<p class="charct"><span class="smcap">John.</span></p> + +<p>And if chance gets tired, and if you also get as tired? I shall never +say—"if you love me no more;" in your heart you have never loved me.<a name="page_026" id="page_026"></a></p> + +<p class="charct"><span class="smcap">Lionnette.</span></p> + +<p>Why did I marry you, then?</p> + +<p class="charct"><span class="smcap">John.</span></p> + +<p>Because your mother advised you to do it.</p> + +<p class="charct"><span class="smcap">Lionnette.</span></p> + +<p>It is perhaps the only good advice she ever gave me, and I assure you I +have been very grateful for what you have done for me.</p> + +<p class="charct"><span class="smcap">John.</span></p> + +<p>Gratitude is not love.</p> + +<p class="charct"><span class="smcap">Lionnette.</span></p> + +<p>Love comes afterwards.</p> + +<p class="charct"><span class="smcap">John.</span></p> + +<p>A long time afterwards, for it has not come yet.</p> + +<p class="charct"><span class="smcap">Lionnette.</span></p> + +<p>The most beautiful creature in the world could not give more than she +has. I have given all I had to give. Is it love? Is it not love? I know +not. I have no line of comparison, never having given to any one but +you.</p> + +<p>(<i>She hesitates a moment before continuing.</i>)</p> + +<p class="charct"><span class="smcap">John.</span></p> + +<p>You were going to say something else.</p> + +<p class="charct"><span class="smcap">Lionnette.</span></p> + +<p>No.<a name="page_027" id="page_027"></a></p> + +<p class="charct"><span class="smcap">John.</span></p> + +<p>Yes. Say it, whatever it was.</p> + +<p>(<i>He draws</i> <span class="smcap">Lionnette</span> <i>by the hand, close to him</i>.)</p> + +<p class="charct"><span class="smcap">Godler.</span></p> + +<p>There are the plots beginning again. An odd kind of a house this.</p> + +<p>(<i>The three persons go out on the terrace, and from there into the +garden, where one sees no more of them.</i>)</p> + +<p class="charct"><span class="smcap">Lionnette.</span></p> + +<p>I was going to say that perhaps you find that I do not love you enough, +because you love me too much. Then you have been much too good to me; +you have done whatever I wished; you did wrong. You should have been +more my master, in order to counterbalance the bad influence of my +mother, to change my habits, to offer more resistance, and to save me +from myself.</p> + +<p class="charct"><span class="smcap">John.</span></p> + +<p>To save you? What have you done then?</p> + +<p class="charct"><span class="smcap">Lionnette.</span></p> + +<p>I have ruined you.</p> + +<p class="charct"><span class="smcap">John.</span></p> + +<p>That is all.</p> + +<p class="charct"><span class="smcap">Lionnette.</span></p> + +<p>It is quite enough.</p> + +<p class="charct"><span class="smcap">John.</span></p> + +<p>You have never thought of....<a name="page_028" id="page_028"></a></p> + +<p class="charct"><span class="smcap">Lionnette.</span></p> + +<p>Of what?</p> + +<p class="charct"><span class="smcap">John.</span></p> + +<p>Of another?</p> + +<p class="charct"><span class="smcap">Lionnette</span> (<i>laughing</i>).</p> + +<p>You are mad. You have always been a little inclined that way. It is true +that if you had not been silly you would never have married me.</p> + +<p class="charct"><span class="smcap">John.</span></p> + +<p>Whether I am mad or not, answer my question.</p> + +<p class="charct"><span class="smcap">Lionnette.</span></p> + +<p>No, you can be assured on that point. I have never thought of any one +else.</p> + +<p class="charct"><span class="smcap">John.</span></p> + +<p>And if I were to die; if I killed myself; if you, in the end, became a +widow, and that man who is there—that strange man, that +millionaire—made you an offer, would you marry him?</p> + +<p class="charct"><span class="smcap">Lionnette.</span></p> + +<p>We have not arrived at that yet.</p> + +<p class="charct"><span class="smcap">John.</span></p> + +<p>Who can tell? In the meantime that man loves you, and wishes to go so +far as to make you love him without waiting for my death. You have +remarked it as well as I.</p> + +<p class="charct"><span class="smcap">Lionnette.</span></p> + +<p>Where is the woman who does not discover such things? Ask those who have +never, by anyone, been told or allowed<a name="page_029" id="page_029"></a> to see that they were loved, +what they think of life. Our dream is to hear such declarations; our art +is to listen to them; and our genius and power not to believe in them.</p> + +<p class="charct"><span class="smcap">John.</span></p> + +<p>Has he declared himself?</p> + +<p class="charct"><span class="smcap">Lionnette.</span></p> + +<p>Never.</p> + +<p class="charct"><span class="smcap">John.</span></p> + +<p>Your word for it.</p> + +<p class="charct"><span class="smcap">Lionnette.</span></p> + +<p>My word of honour.</p> + +<p class="charct"><span class="smcap">John.</span></p> + +<p>It will come to that.</p> + +<p class="charct"><span class="smcap">Lionnette.</span></p> + +<p>He will not be the last, I hope. What do you want to make of it?</p> + +<p class="charct"><span class="smcap">John.</span></p> + +<p>He will declare himself, perhaps, at the moment when nothing remains for +you but misery or suicide: both are equally hard for a young and +beautiful woman.</p> + +<p class="charct"><span class="smcap">Lionnette</span> (<i>seriously and haughtily</i>).</p> + +<p>You are confounding me with some other woman whom you loved before me. +Do I expose myself to these suppositions by my ways of living? Ah! no, +no. I have many defects but no vices, I believe; and, in spite of my +anxiety for the future, I have never yet dreamed of these ways of +escape. I trust never to think for a moment of them.<a name="page_030" id="page_030"></a></p> + +<p class="charct"><span class="smcap">John.</span></p> + +<p>How much I love you! You have in you all that is most strange and noble +in this world. You have a power over me almost superhuman. I think of no +one but you; I want nothing but you; I dream only of you. If I suspect, +it is because I love you. When you are not here, I do not exist: when I +find you again, I tremble like a child. I implore you never to trifle +with that love,—so deep, and, yet, so troubled. I do not ask you to +love me beyond your power of loving; but love none other more than me. +You know not—I do not know myself—what the result might be. When I +think of the future, I grow giddy. (<i>In a low, eager voice</i>) I adore +you! I adore you!</p> + +<p>(<i>During the last words</i> <span class="smcap">Nourvady</span> <i>has come on to the stage again. He +has looked at</i> <span class="smcap">John</span> <i>and</i> <span class="smcap">Lionnette</span>. <i>He takes his hat</i>; <span class="smcap">Godler</span> <i>and</i> +<span class="smcap">Trévelé</span> <i>follow him</i>.)</p> + +<p class="charct"><span class="smcap">Lionnette.</span></p> + +<p>Do not speak so low; you could be heard.</p> + +<p class="charct"><span class="smcap">John.</span></p> + +<p>Kiss me, then.</p> + +<p class="charct"><span class="smcap">Lionnette.</span></p> + +<p>You wish me to kiss you. Here?</p> + +<p class="charct"><span class="smcap">John.</span></p> + +<p>Here.</p> + +<p class="charct"><span class="smcap">Lionnette.</span></p> + +<p>Before everybody?</p> + +<p class="charct"><span class="smcap">John.</span></p> + +<p>Before him.<a name="page_031" id="page_031"></a></p> + +<p class="charct"><span class="smcap">Lionnette.</span></p> + +<p>The same subject. Take care! You are doing him a great honour.</p> + +<p class="charct"><span class="smcap">John.</span></p> + +<p>It is an idea that I have.</p> + +<p class="charct"><span class="smcap">Lionnette.</span></p> + +<p>You would like it?</p> + +<p class="charct"><span class="smcap">John.</span></p> + +<p>Yes.</p> + +<p class="charct"><span class="smcap">Lionnette.</span></p> + +<p>You know well you must not dare me to anything.</p> + +<p class="charct"><span class="smcap">John.</span></p> + +<p>I implore you.</p> + +<p class="charct"><span class="smcap">Lionnette.</span></p> + +<p>Once, twice, three times (<i>kissing him on both cheeks</i>). So much the +worse for you. There!</p> + +<p class="charct"><span class="smcap">Godler</span> (<i>laughing</i>.)</p> + +<p>Ah! my friends, ah! You have decidedly a manner of your own of +receiving.</p> + +<p class="charct"><span class="smcap">The Servant</span> (<i>entering</i>).</p> + +<p>Some one wants to see the Count.</p> + +<p class="charct"><span class="smcap">Godler.</span></p> + +<p>Too late, my man, too late! He ought to have come a minute earlier.<a name="page_032" id="page_032"></a></p> + +<p class="charct"><span class="smcap">The Servant.</span></p> + +<p>I beg your pardon, Sir?</p> + +<p class="charct"><span class="smcap">Godler.</span></p> + +<p>Go, go! It would be too long to explain.</p> + +<p class="charct"><span class="smcap">John</span> (<i>to the Servant</i>).</p> + +<p>Who wants to see me?</p> + +<p class="charct"><span class="smcap">The Servant.</span></p> + +<p>It is a clerk of Mr. Richard.</p> + +<p class="charct"><span class="smcap">John.</span></p> + +<p>Very well, I will go to him. (<i>To</i> <span class="smcap">Godler</span> <i>and to</i> <span class="smcap">Trévelé</span>) I am coming +back immediately.</p> + +<p class="charct"><span class="smcap">Godler.</span></p> + +<p>Don't study us.</p> + +<p>(<span class="smcap">Godler</span> <i>and</i> <span class="smcap">Trévelé</span> <i>accompany</i> <span class="smcap">John</span> <i>to the room at the end, where +they remain some moments talking in sight of the public; and, when</i> <span class="smcap">John</span> +<i>is gone away, they remain there, walking up and down, during the scene +between</i> <span class="smcap">Lionnette</span> <i>and</i> <span class="smcap">Nourvady</span>.)</p> + +<p class="charct"><span class="smcap">Nourvady</span> (<i>goes towards</i> <span class="smcap">Lionnette</span>, <i>hat in hand</i>).</p> + +<p>Adieu, Countess.</p> + +<p class="charct"><span class="smcap">Lionnette.</span></p> + +<p>Are you going to leave us?</p> + +<p class="charct"><span class="smcap">Nourvady.</span></p> + +<p>Yes, your house is in a visible agitation. There is less indiscretion in +perceiving it than in remaining.<a name="page_033" id="page_033"></a></p> + +<p class="charct"><span class="smcap">Lionnette.</span></p> + +<p>When shall we see you again?</p> + +<p class="charct"><span class="smcap">Nourvady.</span></p> + +<p>Never!</p> + +<p class="charct"><span class="smcap">Lionnette.</span></p> + +<p>You are going away?</p> + +<p class="charct"><span class="smcap">Nourvady.</span></p> + +<p>No; but I shall come here no more.</p> + +<p class="charct"><span class="smcap">Lionnette</span> (<i>laughing</i>).</p> + +<p>You did not enjoy your dinner?</p> + +<p class="charct"><span class="smcap">Nourvady.</span></p> + +<p>Do me the honour of listening to me to the end.</p> + +<p class="charct"><span class="smcap">Godler</span> (<i>to</i> <span class="smcap">Trévelé</span>, <i>on seeing</i> <span class="smcap">Lionnette</span> <i>seat herself again, and</i> +<span class="smcap">Nourvady</span> <i>approach her</i>.)</p> + +<p>That's well! With the other now.</p> + +<p class="charct"><span class="smcap">Nourvady.</span></p> + +<p>I love you (<span class="smcap">Lionnette</span> <i>makes a movement</i>). You know it; and you ought to +have foreseen that I should one day tell you so.</p> + +<p class="charct"><span class="smcap">Lionnette.</span></p> + +<p>Yes; it is only five minutes ago that my husband and I were speaking +about it.</p> + +<p class="charct"><span class="smcap">Nourvady.</span></p> + +<p>Do not laugh. You may tell by the tone of my voice that I am very +serious. I love you passionately. You do not<a name="page_034" id="page_034"></a> love me; you do not even +think of me. It is probable that you will never love me. I possess +nothing of all the essentials to tempt a woman like yourself—except a +fortune.</p> + +<p class="charct"><span class="smcap">Lionnette</span> (<i>rising to retire</i>).</p> + +<p>Sir!</p> + +<p class="charct"><span class="smcap">Nourvady.</span></p> + +<p>Have patience! I am not capable of failing in respect towards you, as I +love you. You are ruined—irreparably ruined. You can accept, it is +true, the proposals that Madame Spadetta has had made to you, and free +yourself in that manner. There would be no longer debt, but there would +be straitened circumstances, and, perhaps, misery. Without counting +that, it would be a great grief for you to give up, for ever, certain +letters; a grief that whoever loves you ought to spare you.</p> + +<p class="charct"><span class="smcap">Lionnette</span> (<i>re-seating herself</i>).</p> + +<p>How do you know that?</p> + +<p class="charct"><span class="smcap">Nourvady.</span></p> + +<p>With money one knows all one wants to know, especially when Madame +Spadetta is able to furnish all the information one requires. Do you +remember, Countess, that one day, some months ago, passing through the +Champs Elysées with your husband and me, you remarked at No. 20 a +private house that was nearly finished.</p> + +<p class="charct"><span class="smcap">Lionnette.</span></p> + +<p>Yes.</p> + +<p class="charct"><span class="smcap">Nourvady.</span></p> + +<p>You admired then the exterior elegance of that house. That was +sufficient to induce me to resolve that no man<a name="page_035" id="page_035"></a> should inhabit +it;—another time you might have looked mechanically in passing on that +side, and the proprietor at his window might have imagined that it was +at him the lovely Countess of Hun was looking. I have bought that house, +and I have had it furnished as elegantly as possible. If, in a year, in +two years, in ten years, if—to-morrow—circumstances force you to sell +this house where we are at this moment, think of that house in the +Champs Elysées that no one has ever yet inhabited. The carriages are +waiting in the coach-houses, the horses in the stables, the footmen in +the ante-rooms. The little door that this key opens is only for you. +(<i>He shows a little key.</i>) That door you will easily recognize: your +monogram is on it. From the moment you cross it, if you cross the +threshold one day, you will not even have the trouble of opening another +with it; all the doors will be open in the way that leads to your +apartment. In the drawing-room is an Arabian coffer of marvellous +workmanship; this coffer contains a million in gold, struck on purpose +for you: it is virgin gold, such as gold ought to be that your little +hands deign to touch. You can make use of all in this coffer; when it is +empty it will fill itself again—it is a secret. The deeds which confer +upon you the ownership of this house are deposited in one of the +cabinets in the drawing-room. You will have only to sign them whenever +you may like legally to be the owner. Is it necessary to add that you +owe nothing to anyone for all that, and that you will remain absolute +mistress of your actions? To-morrow I shall pass the day in that house, +to assure myself that all there is in a fit state to receive you; and I +shall never appear there again until you tell me yourself to come—or to +remain there.</p> + +<p>(<span class="smcap">Lionnette</span> <i>takes the key that</i> <span class="smcap">Nourvady</span> <i>has laid upon the table while +talking; rises, and goes to throw it out of the open window; passes +before</i> <span class="smcap">Nourvady</span> <i>in going to rejoin</i> <span class="smcap">Godler</span> <i>and</i> <span class="smcap">Trévelé</span>.)<a name="page_036" id="page_036"></a></p> + +<p class="charct"><span class="smcap">Nourvady</span> (<i>while she passes in front of him</i>).</p> + +<p>That window looks upon your garden, Countess, not upon the street. In a +garden a key can be picked up again.</p> + +<p>(<i>He bows, and leaves her, to take his departure.</i>)</p> + +<p class="charct"><span class="smcap">Lionnette</span> (<i>in a low voice</i>).</p> + +<p>The insolent fellow!</p> + +<p class="charct"><span class="smcap">Jane</span> (<i>entering, to</i> <span class="smcap">Lionnette</span>).</p> + +<p>Master Raoul will not go to bed, Madam.</p> + +<p class="charct"><span class="smcap">Lionnette.</span></p> + +<p>Very well; I am coming.</p> + +<p>(<i>She goes out by the door from which</i> <span class="smcap">Jane</span> <i>has spoken to her</i>.)</p> + +<p class="charct"><span class="smcap">Trévelé</span> (<i>to</i> <span class="smcap">Godler</span>).</p> + +<p>Again running away! that is too strong. This time, let us go too.</p> + +<p class="charct"><span class="smcap">Nourvady.</span></p> + +<p>No, remain; I think you will be wanted here. Good bye. (<i>He goes away.</i>)</p> + +<h4><span class="smcap">Scene III.</span></h4> + +<p class="c">GODLER, TRÉVELÉ.</p> + +<p class="charct"><span class="smcap">Trévelé</span> (<i>to</i> <span class="smcap">Godler</span>, <i>while eating a cake</i>).</p> + +<p>I assure you that Nourvady is a personage apart. Listen now; let us eat +all the cakes, drink all the lemonade, and during that time you can +solve the enigma, for at length you ought to know what is going on in +this house, you who have always been a friend of the Marchioness of +Quansas. It is said even....<a name="page_037" id="page_037"></a></p> + +<p class="charct"><span class="smcap">Godler</span> (<i>after looking around him</i>).</p> + +<p>In 1853.</p> + +<p class="charct"><span class="smcap">Trévelé.</span></p> + +<p>You are decided?</p> + +<p class="charct"><span class="smcap">Godler.</span></p> + +<p>In 1853.</p> + +<p class="charct"><span class="smcap">Trévelé.</span></p> + +<p>Why did you never tell it?</p> + +<p class="charct"><span class="smcap">Godler.</span></p> + +<p>In 1853 there was a Madam Duranton, who kept a shop in the rue +Traversičre.</p> + +<p class="charct"><span class="smcap">Trévelé.</span></p> + +<p>Where may the rue Traversičre be?</p> + +<p class="charct"><span class="smcap">Godler.</span></p> + +<p>It was a little cross street, of compromised fame, leading from the rue +St. Honoré to the rue Richelieu. Madame Duranton, a widow—one could not +be more a widow—sold left-off clothes. You can imagine the rest....</p> + +<p class="charct"><span class="smcap">Trévelé.</span></p> + +<p>Yes, I see, I see; make haste.</p> + +<p class="charct"><span class="smcap">Godler.</span></p> + +<p>Madame Duranton, at whose house two or three friends and I went +sometimes to pass the evening, and who gave us sometimes cider and +chesnuts in her little back shop....</p> + +<p class="charct"><span class="smcap">Trévelé.</span></p> + +<p>In 1853?<a name="page_038" id="page_038"></a></p> + +<p class="charct"><span class="smcap">Godler.</span></p> + +<p>In 1853.</p> + +<p class="charct"><span class="smcap">Trévelé.</span></p> + +<p>How old were you?</p> + +<p class="charct"><span class="smcap">Godler.</span></p> + +<p>I was 39 years old.</p> + +<p class="charct"><span class="smcap">Trévelé.</span></p> + +<p>You are old, then?</p> + +<p class="charct"><span class="smcap">Godler.</span></p> + +<p>I am 66.</p> + +<p class="charct"><span class="smcap">Trévelé.</span></p> + +<p>You don't look that age.</p> + +<p class="charct"><span class="smcap">Godler.</span></p> + +<p>Because I get myself up very well.</p> + +<p class="charct"><span class="smcap">Trévelé.</span></p> + +<p>What a good fellow! Go on.</p> + +<p class="charct"><span class="smcap">Godler.</span></p> + +<p>Would you like us to make a bet?</p> + +<p class="charct"><span class="smcap">Trévelé.</span></p> + +<p>No, you would gain it; Florimond has told it to me.</p> + +<p class="charct"><span class="smcap">Godler</span> (<i>who is sitting down</i>).</p> + +<p>Very well; go and shut the window, and give me something to drink.</p> + +<p class="charct"><span class="smcap">Trévelé.</span></p> + +<p>Go on.<a name="page_039" id="page_039"></a></p> + +<p class="charct"><span class="smcap">Godler.</span></p> + +<p>Madame Duranton had a daughter.</p> + +<p class="charct"><span class="smcap">Trévelé.</span></p> + +<p>To whom you made love?</p> + +<p class="charct"><span class="smcap">Godler.</span></p> + +<p>To whom we all made love, without any good intention—you can +understand. The young girl, then between 18 and 19 years old, was a +beautiful creature, with naturally golden hair, like women have +artificially now-a-days, with violet-blue eyes, cheeks like a rose of +Bengal, and teeth and lips resembling almonds between two halves of a +cherry.</p> + +<p>(<i>During this time</i> <span class="smcap">Godler</span> <i>from time to time arranges his whiskers, and +a lock of hair which falls over his forehead, with a little comb that he +takes out of his pocket</i>.)</p> + +<p class="charct"><span class="smcap">Trévelé.</span></p> + +<p>One could almost wish to taste thereof. You are a poet!</p> + +<p class="charct"><span class="smcap">Godler.</span></p> + +<p>That I had from my youth. At that time....</p> + +<p class="charct"><span class="smcap">Trévelé.</span></p> + +<p>In your youth?</p> + +<p class="charct"><span class="smcap">Godler.</span></p> + +<p>No, in 1853, there were a king and queen....</p> + +<p class="charct"><span class="smcap">Trévelé.</span></p> + +<p>Who reigned....</p> + +<p class="charct"><span class="smcap">Godler.</span></p> + +<p>Exactly.<a name="page_040" id="page_040"></a></p> + +<p class="charct"><span class="smcap">Trévelé.</span></p> + +<p>Happy time! Where did they reign?</p> + +<p class="charct"><span class="smcap">Godler.</span></p> + +<p>At Bagdad.</p> + +<p class="charct"><span class="smcap">Trévelé.</span></p> + +<p>Thank you.</p> + +<p class="charct"><span class="smcap">Godler.</span></p> + +<p>This king and this queen had an only son, who was to succeed them. This +son, 23 years old, took much too seriously his part of heir-presumptive. +But what was the use of having a crown, if, in his turn, he was not to +have an heir to leave it to? However, nothing in the young prince +indicated the least inclination towards love, legitimate or otherwise.</p> + +<p class="charct"><span class="smcap">Trévelé.</span></p> + +<p>He was not like you.</p> + +<p class="charct"><span class="smcap">Godler.</span></p> + +<p>No, he was not like me.</p> + +<p class="charct"><span class="smcap">Trévelé.</span></p> + +<p>Go on.</p> + +<p class="charct"><span class="smcap">Godler.</span></p> + +<p>Always study; always reflection; always indifference.</p> + +<p class="charct"><span class="smcap">Trévelé.</span></p> + +<p>A strange prince!</p> + +<p class="charct"><span class="smcap">Godler.</span></p> + +<p>The ambassadors opened negotiation upon negotiation uselessly with +foreign courts in view of a political alliance.<a name="page_041" id="page_041"></a> Several young +princesses of surrounding countries, of Hindostan, of Persia, and even +of Europe....</p> + +<p class="charct"><span class="smcap">Trévelé.</span></p> + +<p>How well you relate a thing!</p> + +<p class="charct"><span class="smcap">Godler.</span></p> + +<p>Were waiting full-dressed, their hair well-dressed and splendidly +perfumed, for the king of Bagdad to ask their hand for his son. The +telegraph replied always: Wait! Wait!</p> + +<p class="charct"><span class="smcap">Trévelé.</span></p> + +<p>Go on quickly.</p> + +<p class="charct"><span class="smcap">Godler.</span></p> + +<p>A chamberlain had a very simple idea.</p> + +<p class="charct"><span class="smcap">Trévelé.</span></p> + +<p>In general the ideas of chamberlains are very simple.</p> + +<p class="charct"><span class="smcap">Godler.</span></p> + +<p>This was, to let the prince travel, in order that he might see other +women than those of Bagdad, since they were acknowledged to be +insufficient, and to send him at once to Paris.</p> + +<p class="charct"><span class="smcap">Trévelé.</span></p> + +<p>Bad complaints require strong remedies.</p> + +<p class="charct"><span class="smcap">Godler.</span></p> + +<p>But this was not all; beauty was necessary, and it must be stock of a +particular kind: also those that he did not marry must differ only in +rank from the one he did marry.<a name="page_042" id="page_042"></a> In fact, it was not a Lycœnion, but +a perfect Chloe, that was sought for the instruction of this Daphnis, +and it was not to be child's play.</p> + +<p class="charct"><span class="smcap">Trévelé.</span></p> + +<p>I see the young Lionnette dawning. But how did everything come about?</p> + +<p class="charct"><span class="smcap">Godler.</span></p> + +<p>That will make the subject of the following chapter. The ambassador of +Bagdad came with us sometimes in the evening, to eat chesnuts and drink +cider at Madame Duranton's.</p> + +<p class="charct"><span class="smcap">Trévelé.</span></p> + +<p>And he discovered a way of leading the prince to eat the cherries and +almonds?</p> + +<p class="charct"><span class="smcap">Godler.</span></p> + +<p>Who acquired such a taste for these delicious fruits, that he wanted to +eat nothing else, had no wish to go away, had no inclination whatever +for study, no longer wished to reign—he wanted to marry. However, the +king, informed and satisfied on the subject, recalled his son. He must +go back to Bagdad. Daphnis wept, and Chloe also.</p> + +<p class="charct"><span class="smcap">Trévelé.</span></p> + +<p>You are king, you cry, and I depart.</p> + +<p class="charct"><span class="smcap">Godler.</span></p> + +<p>And that is how the beautiful Lionnette came into the world; having for +legal father a Marquis de Quansas, a ruined gentleman, rather a bad +character, who turned up just at the right moment to lay his hand on a +marriage<a name="page_043" id="page_043"></a> portion, give his name to the mother and daughter, and die a +short time after, without falling into the hands of the correctional +police, as every one expected to see him do.</p> + +<p class="charct"><span class="smcap">Trévelé.</span></p> + +<p>Then the countess is daughter of a prince?</p> + +<p class="charct"><span class="smcap">Godler.</span></p> + +<p>Daughter of a king, even—for the prince succeeded his father.</p> + +<p class="charct"><span class="smcap">Trévelé.</span></p> + +<p>What a strange country!</p> + +<p class="charct"><span class="smcap">Godler.</span></p> + +<p>Daughter of a king and of an adventuress; daughter herself of no one +knows who. From that comes, no doubt, the strangeness in the nature of +Lionnette, whom we, who know the circumstances, named, when she was very +young, the Princess of Bagdad. People never knew what it meant, but it +is useless for all the world to know what some things mean.</p> + +<p class="charct"><span class="smcap">Trévelé.</span></p> + +<p>And the mother, the Marchioness of Quansas, has she seen the king again +since that adventure?</p> + +<p class="charct"><span class="smcap">Godler.</span></p> + +<p>Often, and for several years. Thence comes the great luxury and style of +the house. But she became so badly-conducted, and abused so much the +goodness of the king to her, that he—himself now become father of a +large family, as everything led to hope after his return from Paris,<a name="page_044" id="page_044"></a> +and the marchioness no longer being young—lost all patience, and gave +no more money, except to his daughter, whom he adored, and whom he saw +in secret. But he died quite suddenly.</p> + +<p class="charct"><span class="smcap">Trévelé.</span></p> + +<p>I know whom you mean.</p> + +<p class="charct"><span class="smcap">Godler.</span></p> + +<p>Then we both know it, that is sufficient. After the death of the king +all the resources disappeared. Fortunately, the love and marriage of our +friend John de Hun were found in the nick of time, to maintain for some +time the importance of the house; but at this moment I think the +downfall is not far off, and all these comings and goings of to-day may +very well be the last signs of it. All the legitimate ways are +exhausted; there remains nothing now but the others.</p> + +<p class="charct"><span class="smcap">Trévelé.</span></p> + +<p>Which are happily the most numerous. It costs too much for us, my poor +old Godler. For the present it is just the affair of the gloomy +millionaire: we shall see later on. There is nothing more to drink; they +have quite forgotten us. Put your comb in your pocket again, your lock +of hair is very well like that; now let us go away. A peculiar kind of a +house. Where is my hat?</p> + +<p>(<i>While they both look for their hats, their backs turned to the bottom +of the room</i>, <span class="smcap">John</span> <i>enters, very pale, and visibly affected</i>.)<a name="page_045" id="page_045"></a></p> + +<h4><span class="smcap">Scene IV.</span></h4> + +<p class="c">THE SAME PERSONS, JOHN.</p> + +<p class="charct"><span class="smcap">John.</span></p> + +<p>I beg your pardon, gentlemen, for having left you so long alone in my +house, but I have been suddenly called away. I reckoned upon being back +sooner. And....</p> + +<p>(<i>He draws his hand across his forehead.</i>)</p> + +<p class="charct"><span class="smcap">Godler.</span></p> + +<p>You are suffering much?</p> + +<p class="charct"><span class="smcap">John.</span></p> + +<p>It is nothing.... A little fatigue, it is very warm.</p> + +<p class="charct"><span class="smcap">Trévelé.</span></p> + +<p>We are going away.</p> + +<p class="charct"><span class="smcap">John.</span></p> + +<p>However, it may be that I shall stand in need of two sure friends. Can I +count upon you?</p> + +<p class="charct"><span class="smcap">Trévelé</span> (<i>aside</i>).</p> + +<p>Nourvady was right.</p> + +<p class="charct"><span class="smcap">Godler.</span></p> + +<p>Certainly; we shall breakfast, Trévelé and I, to-morrow at 12 o'clock at +the club. If you have anything to say to us.</p> + +<p class="charct"><span class="smcap">John.</span></p> + +<p>Thank you. Till to-morrow then.<a name="page_046" id="page_046"></a></p> + +<p class="charct"><span class="smcap">Godler</span> (<i>aside, as he goes out</i>).</p> + +<p>Poor fellow.</p> + +<p class="charct"><span class="smcap">Trévelé</span> (<i>aside, as he goes out</i>).</p> + +<p>The weather is getting stormy, as the sailors say.</p> + +<h4><span class="smcap">Scene V.</span></h4> + +<p class="charct"><span class="smcap">John</span> <i>alone at first, afterwards</i> <span class="smcap">Lionnette</span>.</p> + +<p class="charct"><span class="smcap">John</span>, <i>standing alone, lays his hand on the top of a chair; then he +pulls off his cravat and loosens the collar of his shirt, as if he were +suffocating and wished to breathe more freely. He goes at length to the +window, breathes the air strongly two or three times, and walks towards +the door by which</i> <span class="smcap">Lionnette</span> <i>went out</i>: <span class="smcap">Lionnette</span> <i>enters by the same +door when he is half-way towards it</i>.</p> + +<p class="charct"><span class="smcap">John</span> (<i>standing still</i>).</p> + +<p>Where have you come from?</p> + +<p class="charct"><span class="smcap">Lionnette.</span></p> + +<p>I have just come from putting the child to bed, who was very disobedient +this evening, and I came back to find the gentlemen again.</p> + +<p class="charct"><span class="smcap">John.</span></p> + +<p>They are all three gone.</p> + +<p class="charct"><span class="smcap">Lionnette.</span></p> + +<p>What is the matter with you? You are quite pale.... What has happened +again?<a name="page_047" id="page_047"></a></p> + +<p class="charct"><span class="smcap">John.</span></p> + +<p>You want to know?</p> + +<p class="charct"><span class="smcap">Lionnette.</span></p> + +<p>Yes, certainly. I ask you to tell me.</p> + +<p class="charct"><span class="smcap">John</span> (<i>walking up to her and putting his fist towards her face</i>).</p> + +<p>When I think how I failed in respect for my mother, who died cursing me, +and all for this creature.</p> + +<p class="charct"><span class="smcap">Lionnette</span> (<i>coming up to him</i>).</p> + +<p>I do not understand.</p> + +<p class="charct"><span class="smcap">John.</span></p> + +<p>You do not understand!</p> + +<p class="charct"><span class="smcap">Lionnette.</span></p> + +<p>No; I believe, I hope, that you are still madder than usual. What is it?</p> + +<p class="charct"><span class="smcap">John</span> (<i>drawing some papers from his pocket</i>).</p> + +<p>What is all this? It is this, that Mr. Nourvady has had all your debts +paid. He had no wish to do me the honour of paying mine; but you, you +owe nothing any more. That is what it is. Now do you understand?</p> + +<p class="charct"><span class="smcap">Lionnette</span> (<i>stupified</i>).</p> + +<p>Mr. Nourvady!</p> + +<p class="charct"><span class="smcap">John.</span></p> + +<p>Yes, Mr. Nourvady, your lover!</p> + +<p class="charct"><span class="smcap">Lionnette</span> (<i>indignantly</i>).</p> + +<p>My lover!<a name="page_048" id="page_048"></a></p> + +<p class="charct"><span class="smcap">John.</span></p> + +<p>Yes, your lover, to whom you have sold yourself and my name, your honour +and mine, for some hundreds of thousands of francs. For your own honour +it is too much, but for mine it is too little.</p> + +<p class="charct"><span class="smcap">Lionnette.</span></p> + +<p>Perhaps you will tell me what all this means?</p> + +<p class="charct"><span class="smcap">John.</span></p> + +<p>Mr. Richard has just sent some one for me; on his return home this +evening he found all the bills of your creditors sent back to him +receipted, at the same time writing that they were all fully paid. By +whom? You know well.</p> + +<p>(<i>He throws the papers on the table.</i>)</p> + +<p class="charct"><span class="smcap">Lionnette.</span></p> + +<p>I swear to you....</p> + +<p class="charct"><span class="smcap">John</span> (<i>mad with rage</i>).</p> + +<p>'Tis false? 'Tis false! There was a way, painful for you, to free +yourself; it was proposed to you at first; you obstinately rejected +it.... You had your own reasons, it was useless! The contract was +concluded and carried out. Since when, may I ask?</p> + +<p class="charct"><span class="smcap">Lionnette.</span></p> + +<p>Ah! when will you have finished insulting me! I tell you that of which +you accuse me is not true. At present, if you do not believe me, do +whatever you like.</p> + +<p class="charct"><span class="smcap">John</span> (<i>exasperated</i>).</p> + +<p>I turn you out of doors.<a name="page_049" id="page_049"></a></p> + +<p class="charct"><span class="smcap">Lionnette.</span></p> + +<p>Unfortunately, this house is mine, and I remain in it.</p> + +<p class="charct"><span class="smcap">John.</span></p> + +<p>It is true; I beg your pardon! I forgot that your mother had foreseen +all. This house, paid for by me, is yours, but the debts incurred by you +are paid by some one else. It is a compensation. It is I who will leave +this house, you may rest contented. I am going at once.... I am going to +look for some money—at my sister's—it signifies not where. I must find +some, even if I have to steal in my turn. And after that we shall see. +Adieu!</p> + +<p>(<i>He goes away with a menacing gesture.</i>)</p> + +<p class="charct"><span class="smcap">Lionnette</span> (<i>alone</i>).</p> + +<p>Adieu! (<i>Shrugging her shoulders, and going towards her <a name="page_050" id="page_050"></a>apartment.</i>) +The idiot! (<i>She goes into her room.</i>)</p> + +<h3><a name="ACT_II" id="ACT_II"></a>ACT II.</h3> + +<div class="blockquot"><p class="hang"><i>A small drawing-room, in great taste, combined with much luxury. +General arrangements of the room rather adapted for repose and +sleep—for tęte-ŕ-tęte—than for general conversation and +reception. A closed iron coffer, containing the million which has +been spoken of in the First Act, placed on a table.</i></p> + +<p><i>At the rising of the curtain, the drawing-room is empty. The stage +remains thus unoccupied for about a moment. A curtain screen +lowered at the left of the spectator, also one equally lowered at +the right. A large screen lowered at the back, and concealing, like +the other two, a door that can be locked.</i></p></div> + +<h4><span class="smcap">Scene I.</span></h4> + +<div class="blockquot"><p class="hang"><span class="smcap">Lionnette</span><i>, veiled, enters at the left; draws back the screen, +stops, looks around her; goes slowly to the door at the back, which +she opens and shuts again, after having looked in. Ten o'clock +strikes. She goes and looks through the door at the right, then +through the glass between the two rooms over the mantel-piece, and +presses the knob of the electric bell, which is by the side of the +chimney-piece. Silence reigns for a few seconds.</i> <span class="smcap">Lionnette</span>, +<i>astonished, looks around her</i>. <span class="smcap">Nourvady</span> <i>appears at the back of +the room</i>.</p></div> + +<h4><span class="smcap">Scene II.</span></h4> + +<p class="c">LIONNETTE, NOURVADY.</p> + +<p>(<span class="smcap">Nourvady</span> <i>stops, after having let fall the screen, and salutes</i> +<span class="smcap">Lionnette</span> <i>very respectfully. He is hat in hand.</i>)</p> + +<p class="charct"><span class="smcap">Lionnette</span> (<i>troubled</i>).</p> + +<p>Is it you?<a name="page_051" id="page_051"></a></p> + +<p class="charct"><span class="smcap">Nourvady.</span></p> + +<p>You rang.</p> + +<p class="charct"><span class="smcap">Lionnette.</span></p> + +<p>I thought a footman would answer.</p> + +<p class="charct"><span class="smcap">Nourvady.</span></p> + +<p>Your most grateful and humble slave has come.</p> + +<p class="charct"><span class="smcap">Lionnette</span> (<i>severely</i>).</p> + +<p>You were waiting for me?</p> + +<p class="charct"><span class="smcap">Nourvady.</span></p> + +<p>Yes.</p> + +<p class="charct"><span class="smcap">Lionnette.</span></p> + +<p>That is the reason you said yesterday that you would be in this house +to-day.</p> + +<p class="charct"><span class="smcap">Nourvady.</span></p> + +<p>Yes.</p> + +<p class="charct"><span class="smcap">Lionnette.</span></p> + +<p>You were sure that I should come.</p> + +<p class="charct"><span class="smcap">Nourvady</span> (<i>a little ironically</i>).</p> + +<p>Sure. I only regret that you have had to take the trouble to go and look +in your garden for the key that you threw there.</p> + +<p class="charct"><span class="smcap">Lionnette.</span></p> + +<p>The fact is that you have discovered the only way to compel me,—an +infamous way, Sir. (<i>While speaking she has taken off the veils that +covered her face, and thrown them<a name="page_052" id="page_052"></a> on the table.</i>) You acknowledge, Sir, +do you not, the infamous means you have adopted. Answer me!</p> + +<p class="charct"><span class="smcap">Nourvady.</span></p> + +<p>I have no answer. You are in your own house; I could if I wished +withdraw myself from your insult and anger: but, apart from the fact +that my courage to do so forsook me from the moment you came here, I am +sure you have something else to say to me, and I remain to hear it.</p> + +<p class="charct"><span class="smcap">Lionnette.</span></p> + +<p>Truly, Sir, an explanation between you and me is necessary; and, as you +did not wish to return to my house, I am come to seek it in yours. +Besides, I like plain and open situations; and I do not fear, especially +at this moment in my life, categorical explanations and undisguised +expressions,—blunt even, if we can understand each other better in that +way. I heard such things yesterday that my ears now can lend themselves +to anything. An act such as yours—a step such as I have taken—an +interview like this that we are having, and which may lead to results so +positive and so serious—are so exceptional that words of double meaning +could not explain them. (<i>Seating herself.</i>) I have not long known you; +I have never attempted to attract you by the least coquetry; I have +never asked anything of you; and you have just dishonoured me morally +and socially without my being able to defend myself. It is remarkably +clever. Whatever I may say, no one will believe me. My husband, who +loves me, will not believe me; and he has treated me accordingly. What +have I done to you that you should think yourself authorized to inflict +such a public affront on me, for, if it isn't public yet, it will be +to-morrow.</p> + +<p class="charct"><span class="smcap">Nourvady.</span></p> + +<p>I have already told you: I love you.<a name="page_053" id="page_053"></a></p> + +<p class="charct"><span class="smcap">Lionnette.</span></p> + +<p>And this, then, is your fashion of proving your love?</p> + +<p class="charct"><span class="smcap">Nourvady.</span></p> + +<p>If I had had any other at my disposal, I should have employed it. I love +you (<i>changing his tone, and approaching her</i>). I have loved you madly +for years. (<i>She recoils involuntarily from the movement of</i> <span class="smcap">Nourvady</span>.) +Fear nothing: I dishonour you, perhaps, in the eyes of others, but I +respect you; and you are sacred to me. If ever you are mine, it will +only be with your consent; that is, when you will have said, "I return +your love." I know well all the kinds of love one can buy! It is not for +a love such as that I ask: you would not give it to me, and I do not +wish for it from you. You are beautiful; I love you; and you have a +great grief, a trouble, a common-place preoccupation, beneath your +consideration, that one of your race and character ought never to know. +On account of what? On account of some bank notes; of a few hundred +pounds that you are in want of; and that I have in such profusion that I +know not what to do with them. This grief—this annoyance—may cause you +to lose your repose; may cost you your beauty—even your life; for you +are a woman who would die in the face of an obstacle that you could not +conquer. I have what is wanted to dispel this grief and care. I do it, +therefore. Was it necessary to ask your permission? If I had seen your +horse running away with you, should I have asked your permission to help +you? I should have rushed to your horse's head and saved you, or he +would have passed over my body. If I had saved your life, and survived, +you would, perhaps, have loved me for that heroic act: if I had been +killed, you would certainly have been sorry, and have wept for me. I +have not exposed my life in saving you as I have done: I have not +accomplished an act of heroism, I have only done a thing<a name="page_054" id="page_054"></a> that was very +easy for me; but I could not control the circumstances.</p> + +<p class="charct"><span class="smcap">Lionnette.</span></p> + +<p>Ah! Well, your devotion led you astray, Sir; and if I am in your house, +it is to call upon you to repair—before it be irremediable—the harm +you have done.</p> + +<p class="charct"><span class="smcap">Nourvady.</span></p> + +<p>It is out of my power to do anything myself. I have expressly employed +this method because I knew it to be the only one, and irremediable. It +would be now necessary that your creditors should consent to take back +their bills, and give back their money. Do you think they would consent +to that?</p> + +<p class="charct"><span class="smcap">Lionnette.</span></p> + +<p>This, then, is what you said to yourself: This woman that I respect, +esteem, and love, I am going first to compromise and dishonour her in +the eyes of everybody; I am going to make her despised, insulted, and +turned out of doors by her husband; and, the first emotion over, she +will have nothing left to choose; she will take up her part, and will +then be mine.</p> + +<p class="charct"><span class="smcap">Nourvady.</span></p> + +<p>I did not reflect at all. It did not please me at all that the +tradespeople should have the power of hunting and humiliating you. I +paid them. I did not wish you to be sorrowful; I could not endure to see +you poor. It is a fancy, like any other, and I am willing to take the +consequences of my fancy. If you had been in my place you would have +done what I have done.</p> + +<p class="charct"><span class="smcap">Lionnette.</span></p> + +<p>No! If I were a man and pretended to love an honest<a name="page_055" id="page_055"></a> woman, whatever +might come of it, I would respect her dignity and the proprieties of the +society in which she moves.</p> + +<p class="charct"><span class="smcap">Nourvady.</span></p> + +<p>Is it really a woman of your superiority who speaks of the proprieties +of society? Are not women like you above all that? Was I to come +delicately and hypocritically to offer your husband the sum he stood in +need of? "Arrange your affairs, my dear friend; you can give me back +that trifle when you are able." I should certainly have acted like that +if I had not loved you; loving you, ought I to do it, that is to say, to +speculate upon your gratitude, upon the impossibility of your husband +discharging his debt, and upon fresh and unavoidable necessities? That +is a course that would have been unworthy of him, of me, and of you. No, +you know it well, the proprieties and dignity are nothing any longer, +when passion or necessity predominates. Did your grandmother respect the +dignity of her daughter when she gave her up to a prince?</p> + +<p class="charct"><span class="smcap">Lionnette.</span></p> + +<p>Sir!...</p> + +<p class="charct"><span class="smcap">Nourvady.</span></p> + +<p>You do not fear words! There they are, those words, saying quite well +all they have to say. Why do you rebel against them? Did your husband +respect the dignity of his mother, the traditions of his family, the +proprieties of the society in which he moved, when he issued a public +summons to that irreproachable mother, to enable him to marry you? And +you, yourself, while following your mother's counsel, did you say to +that man: "My dignity is entirely opposed to marrying you under those +circumstances, disowned, repulsed, disgraced by your mother"? Ah! well, +I too, if I had met you when you were a young girl, I should have loved +you as I love<a name="page_056" id="page_056"></a> you now; and if my father had wished to prevent my +marrying you, I should have acted like the Count. I envy him the +sacrifice he was able to make for you, and that I can never make now.</p> + +<p class="charct"><span class="smcap">Lionnette</span> (<i>half mockingly, half sincerely</i>).</p> + +<p>It may be so, but now it is too late. I am no longer open to marriage, +and, unfortunately for you, I have no longer a mother.</p> + +<p class="charct"><span class="smcap">Nourvady.</span></p> + +<p>But you may become a widow.</p> + +<p class="charct"><span class="smcap">Lionnette.</span></p> + +<p>Then, you really hate the Count?</p> + +<p class="charct"><span class="smcap">Nourvady.</span></p> + +<p>Yes, almost as much as I love you.</p> + +<p class="charct"><span class="smcap">Lionnette.</span></p> + +<p>And you would like to prove it to him?</p> + +<p class="charct"><span class="smcap">Nourvady.</span></p> + +<p>That is the second of my dreams. In the service that I rendered you, I +knew perfectly well the insult I should inflict upon him, and much as I +counted on your visit here, I was waiting in my house first for that of +Mr. Godler and Mr. Trévelé, whom I had left expressly at your house +yesterday until the Count returned home.</p> + +<p class="charct"><span class="smcap">Lionnette.</span></p> + +<p>How agreeable and convenient it is to be open and sincere and to play +your cards so openly. Ah, well, sir, if my husband has not yet sent his +two friends, it is because he wishes first to send you your money. He is +gone in search of it.<a name="page_057" id="page_057"></a></p> + +<p class="charct"><span class="smcap">Nourvady.</span></p> + +<p>He will not find it.</p> + +<p class="charct"><span class="smcap">Lionnette.</span></p> + +<p>I shall find it myself, without the ignominy which you anticipated. The +Count will make a public restitution of the sum that you advanced in +private, and will add to that restitution all that is required to make +you justify your hatred.</p> + +<p class="charct"><span class="smcap">Nourvady.</span></p> + +<p>He will strike me?</p> + +<p class="charct"><span class="smcap">Lionnette.</span></p> + +<p>That is not at all doubtful.</p> + +<p class="charct"><span class="smcap">Nourvady.</span></p> + +<p>And I will kill him.</p> + +<p class="charct"><span class="smcap">Lionnette.</span></p> + +<p>That is not quite certain; he is courageous. A man who has no fear of +death for himself, has a steadier hand to give it to another.</p> + +<p class="charct"><span class="smcap">Nourvady.</span></p> + +<p>Pray for him; in the first place, it is your duty as a wife, and in the +next, my death will be a fortunate event for you, indeed—a very good +thing.</p> + +<p class="charct"><span class="smcap">Lionnette.</span></p> + +<p>In what way?</p> + +<p class="charct"><span class="smcap">Nourvady.</span></p> + +<p>Because, having no relations, not a single true friend in this world, as +is only to be expected in a millionaire like me;<a name="page_058" id="page_058"></a> because, loving you as +you deserve to be loved, in life and in death, I have made my will, in +which I have said that you are the loveliest and purest woman I have +ever met; that your husband, who will kill me, has unjustly suspected +you, and that I entreat you, in compensation for the suspicion of which, +my admiration and my esteem have involuntarily been the cause, to +graciously accept for your son all that I possess, notwithstanding that +I also detest that son.</p> + +<p class="charct"><span class="smcap">Lionnette.</span></p> + +<p>Why?</p> + +<p class="charct"><span class="smcap">Nourvady.</span></p> + +<p>Because that child is the living proof of your love for your husband.</p> + +<p class="charct"><span class="smcap">Lionnette</span> (<i>aside</i>).</p> + +<p>Alas! The child proves nothing. (<i>Aloud</i>) Never mind, all that is not +ordinary, and you would, perhaps, finish by convincing me—with your +death—provided that all this be true. If it be not true, it is well +concocted.</p> + +<p class="charct"><span class="smcap">Nourvady.</span></p> + +<p>Why should I deceive you? And what would you like me to do with my +fortune if I die? What good would it be to me without my life, and in +life what should I do with it without you? Whereas, if I die, my will is +there by the side of the title deeds of proprietorship of this house, +which you would only have had to sign if you had consented to be its +owner during my life (<i>he points to a cabinet at the bottom of the +room</i>), and your pocket money is here (<i>he shows the coffer</i>).</p> + +<p class="charct"><span class="smcap">Lionnette.</span></p> + +<p>Ah! yes, it is true. The famous million! There lies the temptation of +the present hour. The tabernacle of the golden<a name="page_059" id="page_059"></a> calf. Ah! well, let me +look at it.... After all you have told me, who knows? perhaps, your god +will convert me.</p> + +<p>(<i>She walks towards the coffer, of which she opens the principal side. +The gold contained in it is scattered all over the open panel.</i>)</p> + +<p class="charct"><span class="smcap">Lionnette</span> (<i>looking at the gold</i>).</p> + +<p>It is certainly grand; like all which has power. There is contained +ambition, hope, dreams, honour, and dishonour; the perdition and the +salvation of hundreds—of thousands—of creatures, perhaps: it has no +power for me. If I had loved my husband, I should, probably, take this +million to save him: that would be one of the thousand base acts that +one is called upon to commit in the name of true love. But, decidedly, I +love no one and nothing. (<i>Shutting the coffer violently.</i>) Fight each +other; kill each other; live or die, I am indifferent towards you both. +You have both insulted me—each in your own way, and, always, in the +name of love! Ah! if you only knew how what you call love becomes more +and more odious to me. But, to make me believe in love, show me the man +who respects that which he loves! I love you; that is to say, you are +beautiful, and your flesh tempts me. It is to that temptation that I +owed the husband who outrages me; it is to that temptation that I owe +the insult that you have inflicted on me. A prince was not able to +resist what he, too, called his love for a pretty girl; and I owe my +existence to that so-called love! I must suffer on account of that; and, +perhaps, in my turn, sell myself always on account of that! And that +father dared not love me openly; me, his daughter; himself, a king! But, +at least, he sometimes pressed me to his heart in secret: he wept; for +he, too, suffered! Holding my head between his hands, he said to me,—he +is the only one who ever said it to me,—"Be a virtuous woman always; it +is the foundation of all good. Do you understand me?" And I believed +him, and<a name="page_060" id="page_060"></a> wished to be a virtuous woman, as he asked me to be; and it +leads me to what? To be treated like one of the worst of creatures by +him to whom I have remained faithful. And there is that man who insults +me by his offer! His father made many millions by his bank; and he, the +son, would like to buy me with them while I am yet young, be it +understood. Why not? But, dear Sir, I am born of desire and corruption: +they gave me no heart. With what, then, do you expect me to love you? I +had no esteem for my mother: you do not know what it is not to esteem +one's mother! My husband is an inexperienced, an idle, an +unsophisticated man, who ought to have guided me; who did not know how; +and whom I will never see any more. That is what I have come to. As to +my son, I needed help, I took him in my arms yesterday, and he said to +me, "I like better to go and play." Ah, well! let him get on without +maternal dishonour. It will be a novelty in the family, and that will be +my last luxury. It matters not. Amongst all this impurity and all these +errors, there came on the scene, all of a sudden, one of the first +gentlemen in the world; and his coming changed everything. I have royal +blood in my veins. I shall never belong to you. Adieu! (<i>She goes +towards the door at the back. Two violent and quick rings are heard at +the bell of the entrance.</i>) What can that be?</p> + +<p class="charct"><span class="smcap">Nourvady.</span></p> + +<p>A visitor who has made a mistake (<i>ringing</i>). Wait a moment! (<i>The +Footman appears.</i>) Who is that?</p> + +<p class="charct"><span class="smcap">The Footman.</span></p> + +<p>There are several men ringing at the door, but we have not opened it.</p> + +<p>(<i>During this time</i> <span class="smcap">Lionnette</span> <i>has covered herself with her veils</i>.)<a name="page_061" id="page_061"></a></p> + +<p class="charct"><span class="smcap">Nourvady.</span></p> + +<p>Very well! Do not open it.</p> + +<p>(<i>Two blows of a hammer are given on the hall door; after a little +while, two more.</i>)</p> + +<p class="charct"><span class="smcap">A Voice</span> (<i>from outside</i>).</p> + +<p>For the third time, open.</p> + +<p class="charct"><span class="smcap">Lionnette</span> (<i>who has gone to look through the curtains of the window</i>).</p> + +<p>My husband! With these men. Ah! this is complete.</p> + +<p class="charct"><span class="smcap">Nourvady.</span></p> + +<p>Conceal yourself here. (<i>He shoves the door at the right.</i>)</p> + +<p class="charct"><span class="smcap">Lionnette</span> (<i>beyond herself with passion</i>).</p> + +<p>I conceal myself! What do you mean? Who do you take me for? I have done +no harm. All those people there are mad, decidedly. I want to see them +quite close. (<span class="smcap">Nourvady</span> <i>goes to lock the door at the back</i>. <span class="smcap">Lionnette</span> +<i>has pulled off her veils, torn the fichu that was on her shoulders, and +unrolled her hair by shaking her head</i>.) It was when I was like this +that my husband thought me most beautiful! It is well, at least, that he +should see me once more as he used to like to see me. Am I really +beautiful like this?</p> + +<p class="charct"><span class="smcap">Nourvady.</span></p> + +<p>Ah! yes; beautiful indeed.</p> + +<p class="charct"><span class="smcap">Lionnette.</span></p> + +<p>And you love me?</p> + +<p class="charct"><span class="smcap">Nourvady.</span></p> + +<p>Very deeply.<a name="page_062" id="page_062"></a></p> + +<p class="charct"><span class="smcap">Lionnette.</span></p> + +<p>And all your life will be devoted to me?</p> + +<p class="charct"><span class="smcap">Nourvady.</span></p> + +<p>All my life.</p> + +<p class="charct"><span class="smcap">Lionnette.</span></p> + +<p>You swear it to me?</p> + +<p class="charct"><span class="smcap">Nourvady.</span></p> + +<p>On my word of honour.</p> + +<p>(<i>He approaches her quickly. At that moment she stretches out her +uncovered arms, and crosses them on her face; that she turns away.</i> +<span class="smcap">Nourvady</span> <i>covers her arms with kisses</i>.)</p> + +<p class="charct"><span class="smcap">A Voice</span> (<i>outside the door that</i> <span class="smcap">Nourvady</span> <i>has shut</i>).</p> + +<p>Open!</p> + +<p class="charct"><span class="smcap">Nourvady.</span></p> + +<p>Who are you?</p> + +<p class="charct"><span class="smcap">The Voice.</span></p> + +<p>In the name of the law.</p> + +<p class="charct"><span class="smcap">Nourvady.</span></p> + +<p>I am in my own house. I refuse.</p> + +<p class="charct"><span class="smcap">John</span> (<i>from outside</i>).</p> + +<p>Break open that door.</p> + +<p class="charct"><span class="smcap">Lionnette.</span></p> + +<p>The coward!</p> + +<p class="charct"><span class="smcap">The Voice.</span></p> + +<p>It is I who give orders here, and I only. For the last time, will you +open the door?<a name="page_063" id="page_063"></a></p> + +<p class="charct"><span class="smcap">Nourvady.</span></p> + +<p>No!</p> + +<p class="charct"><span class="smcap">The Voice.</span></p> + +<p>Force that door.</p> + +<p class="charct"><span class="smcap">Nourvady</span> (<i>to</i> <span class="smcap">Lionnette</span>).</p> + +<p>Tell me that you love me.</p> + +<p class="charct"><span class="smcap">Lionnette.</span></p> + +<p>Ah! yes, I love you; as he has driven me to it.</p> + +<p>(<i>During these words the door was violently shaken, and it opens with a +great noise.</i>)</p> + +<h4><span class="smcap">Scene III.</span></h4> + +<p class="c">THE SAME PERSONS, JOHN, THE COMMISSARY OF POLICE, his <span class="smcap">Secretary</span>, <span class="smcap">Two +Agents</span>.</p> + +<p><i>By an involuntary movement</i> <span class="smcap">Lionnette</span> <i>places herself on the side +opposite to that on which she was with</i> <span class="smcap">Nourvady</span>. <i>In this way they +become separated.</i> <span class="smcap">Nourvady</span> <i>walks in front of the</i> <span class="smcap">Commissary of +Police</span>. <span class="smcap">Lionnette</span> <i>seats herself upon the couch, one arm half supported +on the back of the couch, the other upon the little table which is +there. Her three-quarters' profile is turned towards the audience in an +attitude of anger and defiance at what is going on.</i> <span class="smcap">John</span> <i>points her +out to the</i> <span class="smcap">Commissary</span>, <i>and wants to run towards her. The</i> <span class="smcap">Commissary</span> +<i>stops him</i>.</p> + +<p class="charct"><span class="smcap">The Commissary.</span></p> + +<p>By virtue of an official mandate, I am required to come at the request +of Count Victor Charles John de Hun, who is<a name="page_064" id="page_064"></a> here, to prove the +clandestine presence of the Countess Lionnette de Hun, wife of the said +Count Victor Charles John de Hun, in the house of Mr. Nourvady, and to +establish according to law the offence of adultery.</p> + +<p class="charct"><span class="smcap">Nourvady.</span></p> + +<p>Sir!</p> + +<p class="charct"><span class="smcap">The Commissary.</span></p> + +<p>You will please be silent, sir, and reply only to my questions, if I +have any to put to you. (<i>To</i> <span class="smcap">John</span>.) This gentleman is, I believe, Mr. +Nourvady, whom you accuse of being an accomplice with your wife?</p> + +<p class="charct"><span class="smcap">John.</span></p> + +<p>Yes.</p> + +<p class="charct"><span class="smcap">The Commissary</span> (<i>to</i> <span class="smcap">Lionnette</span>).</p> + +<p>Do you deny that, madam?</p> + +<p class="charct"><span class="smcap">Lionnette.</span></p> + +<p>No. I am, indeed, the legitimate wife of that gentleman, and Countess de +Hun, alas!</p> + +<p class="charct"><span class="smcap">The Commissary</span> (<i>to an Agent</i>).</p> + +<p>See that no one enters here! (<i>To the Secretary.</i>) Sit down and write. +(<i>The Secretary sits down and prepares to write.</i>)</p> + +<p class="charct"><span class="smcap">Nourvady</span> (<i>to</i> <span class="smcap">The Commissary</span>).</p> + +<p>But really, sir?</p> + +<p class="charct"><span class="smcap">The Commissary.</span></p> + +<p>I am Commissary of Police in your district; here are my insignia, sir. +(<i>He shows one end of his scarf; dictating to his<a name="page_065" id="page_065"></a> Secretary</i>). Having +betaken ourselves to one of the residences of Mr. Nourvady....</p> + +<p class="charct"><span class="smcap">Lionnette.</span></p> + +<p>That is not correct, sir! Mr. Nourvady is not here in his own house, but +in mine; this house and all that is in it belongs to me. Be kind enough +to open this cabinet at your left and you will find there my title-deeds +of ownership, which prove what I am stating.</p> + +<p class="charct"><span class="smcap">The Commissary</span> (<i>to one of his Agents</i>).</p> + +<p>Open it. (<i>The Agent gives him all the papers that he finds in the +cabinet.</i> <span class="smcap">The Commissary</span> <i>reads them over</i>.) These papers are not quite +according to law; it is a purchase made in your name but you have not +ratified it, and your signature is wanting. (<i>While he is speaking he +carries the papers to</i> <span class="smcap">Lionnette</span>.)</p> + +<p class="charct"><span class="smcap">Lionnette</span> (<i>taking the papers and signing</i>).</p> + +<p>There it is, and as the Count de Hun and I were married under the act of +separation of property, and, as he legally gave me the right of +acquiring and disposing of my property, I do not know what he wants +here, in my house.</p> + +<p class="charct"><span class="smcap">John</span> (<i>menacing her</i>).</p> + +<p>Madam!</p> + +<p class="charct"><span class="smcap">The Commissary.</span></p> + +<p>Silence, sir, I beg of you. (<i>Dictating.</i>) We presented ourselves at the +house which was indicated to us as one of the residences of Mr. +Nourvady. Our visit was foreseen, and an order had been given to the +servants to open the door to no one. After three legal summonses on our +part, and three refusals on the part of the persons shut up in a room on +the first floor, we broke open the door, and found in this room a<a name="page_066" id="page_066"></a> man +and woman, recognized to be Mr. Nourvady and the Countess Lionnette de +Hun. The said lady, when we attributed to Mr. Nourvady the ownership of +the house, formally declared to us that she was the owner of the house +in which we found her, and furnished proofs of the same; also, she +affirmed that Mr. Nourvady was paying her a visit there.</p> + +<p class="charct"><span class="smcap">John.</span></p> + +<p>Add, if you please, sir, that I have disowned all participation in the +ownership of this house, acquired without my consent, and by +illegitimate means, which will be proofs of the charge of guilt.</p> + +<p class="charct"><span class="smcap">The Commissary</span> (<i>to the Secretary</i>).</p> + +<p>Record the declaration of the Count de Hun. (<i>Dictating.</i>) After the +refusal that was given to us, first by the servants of the house and +then by Mr. Nourvady.... You were the one, sir, were you not, who +refused to open this door? (<i>He turns towards</i> <span class="smcap">Nourvady</span>.)</p> + +<p class="charct"><span class="smcap">Nourvady.</span></p> + +<p>Yes, sir.</p> + +<p class="charct"><span class="smcap">The Commissary.</span></p> + +<p>After the refusal given and repeated three separate times by Mr. +Nourvady, to open the door of the room where he was shut up with the +Countess de Hun, although, according to the declaration of this lady, he +was not in his own house, but her's, and, therefore, under the +circumstances, she alone had a right to command there—after these +repeated refusals, we found nothing to furnish us with convincing proofs +of the charge that the complainant wished us to establish.</p> + +<p>(<i>While speaking</i>, <span class="smcap">The Commissary</span> <i>has run his eye over the stage, +looking at the furniture, and lifting up the screens that separated the +drawing room from other rooms</i>.)<a name="page_067" id="page_067"></a></p> + +<p class="charct"><span class="smcap">John.</span></p> + +<p>The presence of my wife in this house is sufficient to prove the crime.</p> + +<p class="charct"><span class="smcap">The Commissary.</span></p> + +<p>No, sir.</p> + +<p class="charct"><span class="smcap">John.</span></p> + +<p>In a case like this the intention is enough.</p> + +<p class="charct"><span class="smcap">The Commissary.</span></p> + +<p>We are not here to judge according to intentions, but to state according +to facts.</p> + +<p>JOHN (<i>picking up</i> <span class="smcap">Lionnette's</span> <i>veils</i>).</p> + +<p>What more do you require than this triple veil, which proves that my +wife has come here concealing her face, as I saw, in short, for I +followed her? A strange manner to enter her own house, since she +maintains it to be her's. (<i>Pointing to</i> <span class="smcap">Lionnette</span>.) Look at this, sir; +what more do you require?</p> + +<p class="charct"><span class="smcap">The Commissary.</span></p> + +<p>Be as calm as possible, sir; the law will do its duty, however painful +it may be. (<i>He dictates.</i>) Still, the attitude and bearing of the Lady +de Hun, at the moment of our entrance, was at least suspicious. Her hair +was half falling on her shoulders.</p> + +<p class="charct"><span class="smcap">Nourvady</span> (<i>to</i> <span class="smcap">The Commissary</span>).</p> + +<p>Be good enough to note, sir, that at this point of your accusation I +interrupted you, and that I affirmed most emphatically and on my word of +honour the complete and perfect innocence of the Countess Lionnette de +Hun, whose honour, whatever the appearances may be, should not be +doubted for a moment.<a name="page_068" id="page_068"></a></p> + +<p class="charct"><span class="smcap">Lionnette</span> (<i>very calm at first, but gradually exciting herself to +frenzy</i>).</p> + +<p>And I, in the face of the scandal that my husband wished to create, and, +though appreciating the motive of Mr. Nourvady's affirmation, which it +is every honourable man's duty to make who wishes to save a woman's +honour, I declare it false; and the facts that the law cannot prove I +declare absolutely true. Mr. Nourvady was shut up here with me, by my +wish, because he was, because he is, my lover.</p> + +<p class="charct"><span class="smcap">John</span> (<i>running towards her</i>. <span class="smcap">The Commissary</span> <i>puts himself between +them</i>.)</p> + +<p>Madam!</p> + +<p class="charct"><span class="smcap">Lionnette.</span></p> + +<p>Whatever may be the punishment of the adulteress, I merit it. (<i>To the +Secretary, who hesitates.</i>) Write, sir, I have not finished. Write. +(<i>She rises, and walks to the table where the Secretary is writing.</i>) So +that there may not, by any possibility, be any mistake in the scandalous +trials that will follow this scene, and in order that my husband may not +have to accuse himself of casting upon me an unjust and hasty suspicion, +I declare that not only have I given myself to Mr. Nourvady because I +loved him, but because he is rich and I am poor; that after having +ruined my husband I sold myself, so incapable was I of bearing poverty. +The price of my fall is there: a million in gold struck expressly for +me! My husband, there, was right yesterday, when he treated me like a +prostitute. I am one, and very happy to be so. And if what I have told +you does not convince you; if proofs are necessary, there they are! +(<i>She steeps her bare arms in the gold, and throws handfuls of it all +round her.</i> <i>To</i> <span class="smcap">John</span>.) And you, sir, if you are in want of money, take +some; after the baseness that you commit at this moment, there remains +only this for you to do.<a name="page_069" id="page_069"></a></p> + +<p class="charct"><span class="smcap">John</span> (<i>going towards her; she looks in his face</i>; <span class="smcap">John</span> <i>falls on a +chair</i>.)</p> + +<p>Madam!... Ah!</p> + +<p class="charct"><span class="smcap">Lionnette</span> (<i>to</i> <span class="smcap">Nourvady</span>.)</p> + +<p>And now do you believe that I am entirely yours?</p> + +<p class="charct"><span class="smcap">John.</span></p> + +<p>In the face of the insolence and audacity of the accused, I require her +immediate arrest.</p> + +<p class="charct"><span class="smcap">The Commissary.</span></p> + +<p>I know the rights that the law gives me, and the duties that I have to +fulfil. All that has been said has been recorded in the accusation; I +limit my office to that. (<i>To</i> <span class="smcap">Nourvady</span>.) As you are not in your own +house, sir, you can retire; only as the avenue is full of people in +front of the principal entrance, leave the house by this exit: one of my +agents will join you, in order that the policeman may allow you to pass. +(<i>He points to the left.</i> <span class="smcap">Nourvady</span> <i>bows to</i> <span class="smcap">Lionnette</span> <i>and goes out by +the left, passing in front of</i> <span class="smcap">John</span>, <i>who, standing with his arms +folded, pretends not to see the provoking salute</i> <span class="smcap">Nourvady</span> <i>gives him</i>.)</p> + +<p class="charct"><span class="smcap">The Commissary</span> (<i>to</i> <span class="smcap">Lionnette</span>).</p> + +<p>With regard to you, Madam, as you are in your own house, enter, I beg of +you, into your apartment, and if you wish to go out, do not go till some +time after our departure, when there will be no longer inquisitive +persons outside, and you will be sure not to be insulted.</p> + +<p class="charct"><span class="smcap">Lionnette.</span></p> + +<p>Thank you, sir.</p> + +<p>(<i>She goes out by the door at the right</i>).<a name="page_070" id="page_070"></a></p> + +<p class="charct"><span class="smcap">The Commissary</span> (<i>to</i> <span class="smcap">John</span>).</p> + +<p>I am going to deliver my report to the Judge. You have ten days to +withdraw your complaint, sir—a complaint that perhaps you were very +wrong to bring. That woman accuses herself too much. I believe her to be +innocent. Go out of this house before me, sir; the people saw us come in +together, and if we go out in the same way they will recognise you as +the husband, and they might say disagreeable things to you. The French +people do not approve of husbands who surprise their wives by the +appearance of a Commissary of Police. I have the honour to wish you good +morning.</p> + +<p>(<span class="smcap">John</span> <i>bows to him and goes away</i>. <span class="smcap">The Commissary</span> <i>comes back and sits +down near his Secretary, to complete the last formalities</i>.)<a name="page_071" id="page_071"></a></p> + +<h3><a name="ACT_III" id="ACT_III"></a>ACT III.</h3> + +<div class="blockquot"><p class="hang"><i>The same decorations as in the first Act.</i> </p></div> + +<h4><span class="smcap">Scene I.</span></h4> + +<p class="c">JOHN, GODLER, TRÉVELÉ.</p> + +<p class="c">(<span class="smcap">Godler</span> <i>is sitting down</i>, <span class="smcap">Trévelé</span> <i>standing</i>. <span class="smcap">John</span> <i>is walking about in +great agitation</i>.)</p> + +<p class="charct"><span class="smcap">Godler.</span></p> + +<p>And then?</p> + +<p class="charct"><span class="smcap">John</span> (<i>sitting down</i>).</p> + +<p>Then, just as I was going to start for my sister's house, and everybody +thought me gone, for I had no wish to sleep in this house, suddenly I +was seized with the idea of concealing myself, and following my wife if +she went out, so as to convince myself, and if she deceived me to +disgrace her publicly. This morning I saw her go out veiled, take a cab, +and alight at that house in the Champs Elysées. It was very clear. I +went to fetch a Commissary of Police, who lives close by that house. He +hesitated at first, but the fear of a greater misfortune, of a crime +that I was resolved to commit, decided him to go; and on the refusal of +Mr. Nourvady to open the door, they forced it open.</p> + +<p class="charct"><span class="smcap">Trévelé.</span></p> + +<p>And the Countess was there?</p> + +<p class="charct"><span class="smcap">John.</span></p> + +<p>Yes.</p> + +<p class="charct"><span class="smcap">Trévelé.</span></p> + +<p>With Nourvady?<a name="page_072" id="page_072"></a></p> + +<p class="charct"><span class="smcap">John.</span></p> + +<p>Yes.</p> + +<p class="charct"><span class="smcap">Godler</span> (<i>after a little while</i>).</p> + +<p>And you are convinced?...</p> + +<p class="charct"><span class="smcap">John.</span></p> + +<p>Her hair undone, her arms bare, her dress-body opened! And such +effrontery! such impudence! (<i>Rising, and putting his head in his +hands.</i>) I witnessed it, I witnessed it. That man has done all in his +power to exonerate her, to save her. He has given his word of honour +that there has never been anything between them. It was not through any +gentlemanly feeling, for he who comes to your house, takes you warmly by +the hand, and appropriates, steals, and buys your wife, such a one has +nothing of the true gentleman in him. But I do not know why I mention +that man! After all, it is not he who is guilty; he has done his work as +a man, as we have all done, and as we all do. He has met a beautiful +creature, coquettish, fond of luxury, ruined, heartless, destitute of +womanly feeling; heedless of her good name, her husband, or her child; +without the least gratitude, or the least remembrance, even, of all I +have done for her. He has offered to buy her, and she has consented. He +has paid her a million; that is dear;—for what is a woman who sells +herself really worth? As to me, I paid her with my name, with my +mother's death and curse, that is still dearer. My mother saw clearly: +she is avenged. I have no right to complain.</p> + +<p>(<i>He sits down weeping, his head in his hands.</i>)</p> + +<p class="charct"><span class="smcap">Godler</span> (<i>much moved</i>).</p> + +<p>My poor old friend!<a name="page_073" id="page_073"></a></p> + +<p class="charct"><span class="smcap">John.</span></p> + +<p>I beg your pardon. It is not to tell you all this that I have asked you +to come here; but, after all, I have no one else now. Here am I, alone +in the world. You are my friends—you have said so at least; and then +again you did not come to my house to take her away, did you? Never +mind, let us try to put my ideas a little in order. I do not know very +well what I am about, you can understand that. However, you are +convinced that I am an honest man? That is the reason I wanted to see +you. You must tell me that you esteem me still. I may have been easily +smitten, very stupid. I was so young then! Alas! I feel a hundred years +old to-day. I may have been foolish to marry a creature unworthy of me; +but you believe me, you know me incapable of all connivance with her; +you feel certain that I have no hand in all this disgusting money +affair? and when I have gone away, when I am dead, for it will certainly +kill me in one way or another, you will take care to say, to affirm +strongly, to swear to it even, that I was ignorant of the whole thing. I +shall have lost my mother, my faith, my fortune, my life, for that +woman; so be it, but at least I have preserved my honour!</p> + +<p class="charct"><span class="smcap">Godler.</span></p> + +<p>Rely on us, my dear friend, and understand that we think you the most +upright man in the world; that we esteem you for your honourableness, +and sympathise with you in your great misfortune.</p> + +<p>(<span class="smcap">Trévelé</span>, <i>on his part, takes John warmly by the hand</i>.)</p> + +<p class="charct"><span class="smcap">Trévelé</span> (<i>aside</i>).</p> + +<p>Poor fellow!</p> + +<p class="charct"><span class="smcap">John.</span></p> + +<p>Then, you understand why I have raised this scandal<a name="page_074" id="page_074"></a> instead of +provoking the man. If I had been killed, a suspicion would always have +rested on me. Mr. Nourvady paid the debts of my wife; they would have +said that I did not find this enough, that I had asked for more, that he +had refused me, that then I had quarrelled with him, that he had killed +me, and that he had done right. If, on the contrary, I had killed him, +they would have said worse things still; that I had waited until he had +paid all household debts and had given my wife a fortune (for she has a +splendid mansion), a million for her own use; and having arranged all +that, and after all these disgraceful artifices, I had killed this +generous lover; and that this was my way of settling with my creditors, +and setting up my establishment again. This is why I have acted in this +way. I wanted to raise an unmistakable scandal, well-spread abroad, from +which it would be reported that she is a wretch and I an honest man ... +and besides, before doing anything else, I must pay back his money.</p> + +<p class="charct"><span class="smcap">Godler.</span></p> + +<p>According to the light in which you place the situation, I understand +now what, with the habits of our set, I did not take in directly; from +the point of view in which you place the thing, you have nothing else to +do,—whatever may happen.</p> + +<p class="charct"><span class="smcap">John.</span></p> + +<p>What do you mean by whatever may happen?</p> + +<p class="charct"><span class="smcap">Godler.</span></p> + +<p>We never know! The human heart....</p> + +<p class="charct"><span class="smcap">John.</span></p> + +<p>You believe me so weak, so much in love, and so base as to<a name="page_075" id="page_075"></a> pardon this +woman after what she has done! You know perfectly well that you despise +me. It is my fault. My past weakness gives you the right to believe +anything of me.</p> + +<p class="charct"><span class="smcap">Godler.</span></p> + +<p>I believe nothing, I suppose nothing, but the whole thing appears to me +very obscure, and passion, perhaps, has made you see things that do not +exist. All I know is, that yesterday, in this house, Nourvady, before +leaving us, spoke a long while in a low tone to the Countess. I heard +nothing, but Trévelé was relating all sorts of nonsense to me, and I was +supposed to be listening to it....</p> + +<p class="charct"><span class="smcap">Trévelé.</span></p> + +<p>Continue.</p> + +<p class="charct"><span class="smcap">Godler.</span></p> + +<p>I looked unperceived at the Countess de Hun. Not only did she not listen +with interest to her interlocutor, but two or three times her attitude +and looks were indicative of anger. She threw something violently out of +this window. I do not know what—a note, a trinket, a ring perhaps; and +when Nourvady took leave of her, she said,—The insolent fellow! (<i>To</i> +<span class="smcap">Trévelé</span>.) Is it true?</p> + +<p class="charct"><span class="smcap">Trévelé.</span></p> + +<p>It is quite true....</p> + +<p class="charct"><span class="smcap">John.</span></p> + +<p>She changed her mind afterwards. Night brings counsel: and she is only +all the more guilty, as she knew very well what she was doing. Do not +speak of her any more, I shall have to think enough about it for the +rest of my life, which fortunately will not be long. At present I am +going away, as I have no money, and must go and look for some.<a name="page_076" id="page_076"></a></p> + +<p class="charct"><span class="smcap">Godler.</span></p> + +<p>My dear fellow!...</p> + +<p class="charct"><span class="smcap">John.</span></p> + +<p>You understand, without my telling you, that I ask you for none, and +that I should accept none. I confide in you because you are the only +persons that I can consider at all as friends in our station, where one +has so few; and what you do not give me out of friendship, you give me +in esteem and compassion.</p> + +<p>(<span class="smcap">Godler</span> <i>and</i> <span class="smcap">Trévelé</span> <i>take him warmly by the hand</i>.)</p> + +<p class="charct"><span class="smcap">Trévelé.</span></p> + +<p>But the Countess, where is she?</p> + +<p class="charct"><span class="smcap">John.</span></p> + +<p>She is, no doubt, in her house in the Champs Elysées.</p> + +<p class="charct"><span class="smcap">Trévelé.</span></p> + +<p>Then she will not come here?</p> + +<p class="charct"><span class="smcap">John.</span></p> + +<p>Yes, she can come here. The house is hers; she can live here as much as +she likes. It is I who am not at home here, and who come only to make my +last preparations for departure.</p> + +<p class="charct"><span class="smcap">Trévelé.</span></p> + +<p>And Raoul? Your son?</p> + +<p class="charct"><span class="smcap">John</span> (<i>with a bitter laugh</i>).</p> + +<p>Are you quite sure that he is my son?</p> + +<p class="charct"><span class="smcap">Trévelé.</span></p> + +<p>Do not let your anger mislead you.<a name="page_077" id="page_077"></a></p> + +<p class="charct"><span class="smcap">John.</span></p> + +<p>In any case he is the son of that woman; I do not wish to see him any +more. He can live with her, that she may bring him up in her new life. +He will avenge me one day. When he is twenty years old he will insult +her. Or something else may occur. The tribunal which will pronounce our +separation will order that the child shall be sent to college, or to +boarding school, from which his mother will have no power to take him.</p> + +<p class="charct"><span class="smcap">Trévelé.</span></p> + +<p>At his age! He will be very unhappy.</p> + +<p class="charct"><span class="smcap">John.</span></p> + +<p>All the better for him. He will suffer at an earlier age—he will +understand more easily.</p> + +<p class="charct"><span class="smcap">A Servant</span> (<i>entering</i>).</p> + +<p>Mr. Richard.</p> + +<p class="charct"><span class="smcap">John</span> (<i>aside</i>).</p> + +<p>It is not I who sent for him? Does he know anything?</p> + +<p class="charct"><span class="smcap">Godler.</span></p> + +<p>Would you like us to leave you?</p> + +<p class="charct"><span class="smcap">John.</span></p> + +<p>No. I have nothing to say that you may not hear.... unless you have +something else to do.</p> + +<p class="charct"><span class="smcap">Trévelé.</span></p> + +<p>No, nothing. (<i>To</i> <span class="smcap">Godler</span>.) Nor you, have you?<a name="page_078" id="page_078"></a></p> + +<p class="charct"><span class="smcap">Godler.</span></p> + +<p>I—no, nothing. (<i>To</i> <span class="smcap">Trévelé</span>, <i>combing his whiskers and pulling forward +his lock of hair</i>.) Florimonde is waiting for me.</p> + +<p class="charct"><span class="smcap">Trévelé.</span></p> + +<p>She is waiting for you with some one else. Be at ease, she will not be +weary waiting for you.</p> + +<h4><span class="smcap">Scene II.</span></h4> + +<p class="c">THE SAME PERSONS, RICHARD.</p> + +<p class="charct"><span class="smcap">Richard</span> (<i>in a low voice to</i> <span class="smcap">John</span>).</p> + +<p>I know all, Count.</p> + +<p class="charct"><span class="smcap">John</span> (<i>aloud</i>).</p> + +<p>These gentlemen also....</p> + +<p class="charct"><span class="smcap">Richard</span> (<i>bowing</i>).</p> + +<p>Your servant, gentlemen! (<i>To</i> <span class="smcap">John</span>.) I have received a note from the +Countess, who begged me to go at once to the Commissary of Police and +take a copy of the accusation, as the lawyer watching her interest, in +the law proceedings which will take place. She has appointed an +interview.</p> + +<p class="charct"><span class="smcap">John.</span></p> + +<p>In what place?</p> + +<p class="charct"><span class="smcap">Richard.</span></p> + +<p>Here. She knew very well that I would not go anywhere else.<a name="page_079" id="page_079"></a></p> + +<p class="charct"><span class="smcap">John.</span></p> + +<p>Then she is here?</p> + +<p class="charct"><span class="smcap">Richard.</span></p> + +<p>Yes.</p> + +<p class="charct"><span class="smcap">John.</span></p> + +<p>Have you seen her?</p> + +<p class="charct"><span class="smcap">Richard.</span></p> + +<p>No; but the footman told me, and he is gone to inform her. I wanted to +see you in the meantime.</p> + +<p class="charct"><span class="smcap">John.</span></p> + +<p>And people already know it?</p> + +<p class="charct"><span class="smcap">Richard.</span></p> + +<p>Nothing; nothing at all. The Commissary has forbidden all communication +with the newspapers, and it is neither you, nor Mr. Nourvady, nor we—is +it not so, gentlemen? who would reveal the least circumstance in that +sad affair. The servants of the house in the Champs Elysées know what +took place, but they are ignorant of the name of the lady. The scandal +will be great enough at the time of the law proceedings. It is useless +to initiate the public beforehand.</p> + +<p class="charct"><span class="smcap">John.</span></p> + +<p>Ah! Well, you can see the affair is very simple. The Countess and I were +separated, or had a separation of property; now we have a separation of +the body, and we shall see each other no more; that is the whole of it.</p> + +<p class="charct"><span class="smcap">The Lady's Maid</span> (<i>entering</i>).</p> + +<p>The Countess de Hun sends me to say to Mr. Richard, that<a name="page_080" id="page_080"></a> when he has +finished speaking to the Count she will be glad to see him....</p> + +<p class="charct"><span class="smcap">John</span> (<i>to the Lady's Maid</i>).</p> + +<p>Say to the Countess that Mr. Richard will be with her in a few minutes. +(<i>The Lady's Maid goes away.</i>) Ah! she has audacity. When a woman has +once taken up the part of infamy and dishonour it is dreadful. (<i>To +Richard.</i>) Tell her especially that she has nothing to fear, nothing to +hope from me, of whom she will hear nothing more till we meet before the +tribunal that will try our case. Good bye, my dear Mr. Richard; you are +her lawyer and her friend; you ought, naturally and legally, to act in +her cause. I shall think no less of you for all you will be called upon +to say against me. Gentlemen, we can retire; give me a few minutes more.</p> + +<p>(<i>All three go away.</i>)</p> + +<h4><span class="smcap">Scene III.</span></h4> + +<p class="c">RICHARD, afterwards LIONNETTE.</p> + +<p class="charct"><span class="smcap">Richard</span> <i>is about to take up his hat. At the moment that he is thinking +of entering</i> <span class="smcap">Lionnette's</span> <i>apartment, she appears</i>.</p> + +<p class="charct"><span class="smcap">Lionnette.</span></p> + +<p>I prefer to receive you here, my dear Mr. Richard, as we shall be left +alone and uninterrupted. My room, and my private reception-room, are in +disorder; they are packing my trunks—the servants are there, and we +could not talk privately. The reason I called you just now was, that the +Count might be aware that I was here, and that I was in a hurry to see +you. Have you been kind enough to do what I asked you?<a name="page_081" id="page_081"></a></p> + +<p class="charct"><span class="smcap">Richard.</span></p> + +<p>Yes.</p> + +<p class="charct"><span class="smcap">Lionnette.</span></p> + +<p>Then I have nothing more to tell you?</p> + +<p class="charct"><span class="smcap">Richard.</span></p> + +<p>No. All that is then quite true?</p> + +<p class="charct"><span class="smcap">Lionnette.</span></p> + +<p>Nothing on earth can be truer.</p> + +<p class="charct"><span class="smcap">Richard.</span></p> + +<p>Notwithstanding yesterday?</p> + +<p class="charct"><span class="smcap">Lionnette.</span></p> + +<p>Events have progressed, and I preferred to have done with it at once. I +was right. I am calmer now than I have ever been in my life. I know at +last what I want, and where I am going. It is a great deal, whatever one +may make of it. I have struggled hard against it, but it seems that I am +doomed to end in being a courtesan. Truly, I do not feel any inclination +that way. Frivolous, extravagant, but never depraved. However, they +willed it; it was inevitable; it was ordained; it was hereditary. My +dear Mr. Richard, I have to ask you for some information, because I am +still a little inexperienced in my new profession; but from the moment +one begins to do those things, they must be done openly, is it not so? +Ah! well, here are the title-deeds of some property I have acquired.</p> + +<p class="charct"><span class="smcap">Richard.</span></p> + +<p>Dearly?<a name="page_082" id="page_082"></a></p> + +<p class="charct"><span class="smcap">Lionnette.</span></p> + +<p>Yes, very dearly.</p> + +<p class="charct"><span class="smcap">Richard.</span></p> + +<p>And the price is paid?</p> + +<p class="charct"><span class="smcap">Lionnette.</span></p> + +<p>It is paid.</p> + +<p class="charct"><span class="smcap">Richard.</span></p> + +<p>Is it true?</p> + +<p class="charct"><span class="smcap">Lionnette.</span></p> + +<p>Paid or not paid, here are the title-deeds. (<i>Putting them on the table, +and beginning to totter.</i>) Then I possess, too, over and above all my +paid debts—for they are paid—I am possessor, also, of a million in +gold, quite new: it is superb to look at.</p> + +<p class="charct"><span class="smcap">Richard.</span></p> + +<p>Sit down, you look as if you were going to fall. You are quite pale; the +blood has rushed to your heart.</p> + +<p class="charct"><span class="smcap">Lionnette</span> (<i>with a great effort</i>).</p> + +<p>Do not be afraid, I am quite strong. I cannot eternally keep a million +in gold ... however beautiful it may be ... it is an incumbrance, and +then it might be stolen from me ... and money ... is everything in this +world! Without reckoning that in cash this million will yield nothing +... and I want it to produce something.... I should like, then, to place +it out in the best way possible. You must place it for me in safety, +where it cannot be touched, like the little income that remains to the +Count; so that I, too, may not want bread in my old age. I am such a +spendthrift. I count entirely on you for that.<a name="page_083" id="page_083"></a></p> + +<p class="charct"><span class="smcap">Richard.</span></p> + +<p>And where is this million?</p> + +<p class="charct"><span class="smcap">Lionnette.</span></p> + +<p>It is over there, in my house, the house that I ... bought—in a coffer +that I have even forgotten to shut; that is to say ... there are pieces +of gold lying in all directions ... on the table ... on the carpet. The +Commissary of Police opened his eyes!... If the footmen have taken some, +say nothing about it.... I am rich ... for there is also in a cabinet a +will of Mr. Nourvady, who, in the event of his death, leaves me all his +fortune: forty millions. That is worth something! But death is like +everything else in this world, it must not too surely be reckoned on.</p> + +<p class="charct"><span class="smcap">Richard</span> (<i>aside</i>.)</p> + +<p>Poor creature!</p> + +<p class="charct"><span class="smcap">Lionnette.</span></p> + +<p>You already have my power of attorney, from the time that my affairs got +into confusion. It will enable you to take possession of my house and of +my capital during my absence. There ought also to be some jewels, a +great many jewels, in the drawers; I have not the least idea which, +however; I have never opened them—I have not even thought of them! You +will deposit them all in your house I do not want them in travelling ... +and then, I shall have plenty of others given to me—now; I shall have +all I can wish for given to me.</p> + +<p class="charct"><span class="smcap">Richard.</span></p> + +<p>And you are going away with Mr. Nourvady?</p> + +<p class="charct"><span class="smcap">Lionnette.</span></p> + +<p>We start this very day.<a name="page_084" id="page_084"></a></p> + +<p class="charct"><span class="smcap">Richard.</span></p> + +<p>It is positively arranged?</p> + +<p class="charct"><span class="smcap">Lionnette.</span></p> + +<p>I think so; I have not seen him again, but I want absolutely to start +to-day.</p> + +<p class="charct"><span class="smcap">Richard.</span></p> + +<p>And where will you meet?</p> + +<p class="charct"><span class="smcap">Lionnette.</span></p> + +<p>I suppose they will come for me here.</p> + +<p class="charct"><span class="smcap">Richard.</span></p> + +<p>Quite openly?</p> + +<p class="charct"><span class="smcap">Lionnette.</span></p> + +<p>Quite openly; at least, if they have not already had enough of me ... +that may happen ... anything may come to pass.... That would be strange.</p> + +<p class="charct"><span class="smcap">Richard.</span></p> + +<p>Do you love Mr. Nourvady, then?</p> + +<p class="charct"><span class="smcap">Lionnette</span> (<i>hoping to deceive</i> <span class="smcap">Richard</span>).</p> + +<p>Madly, and for a long time past. I struggled against it. And then, +candidly, in the position in which I was, it was the only thing to do.</p> + +<p class="charct"><span class="smcap">Richard.</span></p> + +<p>And your husband?</p> + +<p class="charct"><span class="smcap">Lionnette</span> (<i>sincere</i>).</p> + +<p><a name="page_085" id="page_085"></a>Oh! he! that is another thing; I hate him ... oh, yes! I hate him +<i>well</i> ... without doubt....</p> + +<p class="charct"><span class="smcap">Richard.</span></p> + +<p>And your child?</p> + +<p class="charct"><span class="smcap">Lionnette.</span></p> + +<p>I see at what you are aiming, my dear Mr. Richard ... you want to touch +my tender feelings. Feel my hands, they are cold; listen to my voice, it +does not tremble; if you put your hand on my heart, you would feel that +I have not one pulsation more than ordinarily. You still hope there is +some remedy for what has happened ... there is none ... there can never +be any. If there were any I should reject it. Would you like me to open +my heart to you? I merit what has happened. I often condemned my mother, +because the guilty always accuse some one else of the faults that they +commit; but I am no better than she was. There is too great a mixture in +me, and I should be foolish to attempt to discover what I am. I am +simply and logically what I was destined to be. I shall not be the first +woman who was proud of her disgrace, especially in these times; and what +difference will that make to the world? I ought to have been economical +or ugly! These two men who hate each other, and are equally resolved to +be the ruin of me, are yet better than I, for they love, though one +suffers and the other desires; whereas I desire nothing more, I can +suffer no more, and this disclosure of affairs will appear quite natural +to those who knew me. It is horrible; it is monstrous ... it is all +that, and I tell it to you because I have no one now to deceive, thank +God! And, apart from that, I am going into vice that I like no better +than anything else, as I entered into marriage and motherhood, without +considering why. I have no heart! no heart! that is at the bottom of it +all. A creature of luxury and pleasure. You ask me, then, why I do not +kill myself—why I do not put an end to myself—that is the word? That +would be done more quickly, and would simplify<a name="page_086" id="page_086"></a> everything. Yesterday I +was ready to die to avoid dishonour. To-day, what good would it do? I am +dishonoured. What do you want me to destroy in myself? Nothing has any +more life in me, and it seems that I can still bestow pleasure, +love—happiness may be. You say to yourself that all that is impossible, +because you call to mind your mother, your wife, your children. Yes, +there are, indeed, mothers, wives, children ... and, again, there are +some beings who have the same forms, and bear the same names, but who +are not in any degree the same thing. What do you want still to know?</p> + +<p class="charct"><span class="smcap">Richard.</span></p> + +<p>I do not dispute; only embrace your child for the last time.</p> + +<p class="charct"><span class="smcap">Lionnette.</span></p> + +<p>Why disturb him? he is playing no doubt.</p> + +<p class="charct"><span class="smcap">Richard.</span></p> + +<p>I am going to look for him.</p> + +<p class="charct"><span class="smcap">Lionnette.</span></p> + +<p>No, I beg of you. (<span class="smcap">Richard</span> <i>walks towards the room</i>.) I do not wish it.</p> + +<p>(<span class="smcap">The Footman</span> <i>appears</i>.)</p> + +<p class="charct"><span class="smcap">The Footman.</span></p> + +<p>Mr. Nourvady would like to know if the Countess de Hun can receive him.</p> + +<p class="charct"><span class="smcap">Lionnette</span> (<i>in a natural tone.</i>)</p> + +<p>Certainly! (<i>To</i> <span class="smcap">Richard</span>.) Good bye, my dear Mr. Richard ... I will +write if I have any instructions to give you. My kind regards to your +<a name="page_087" id="page_087"></a>wife ... if she knows nothing yet.</p> + +<p class="charct"><span class="smcap">Richard.</span></p> + +<p>Do not remain long here, that will be more prudent.</p> + +<p class="charct"><span class="smcap">Lionnette.</span></p> + +<p>I am going away directly.</p> + +<p>(<span class="smcap">The Footman</span> <i>lets</i> <span class="smcap">Nourvady</span> <i>pass, and goes away</i>.)</p> + +<p class="charct"><span class="smcap">Nourvady.</span></p> + +<p>You excuse me, Madam?</p> + +<p class="charct"><span class="smcap">Lionnette.</span></p> + +<p>For what?</p> + +<p class="charct"><span class="smcap">Nourvady.</span></p> + +<p>For coming here to look for you.</p> + +<p class="charct"><span class="smcap">Lionnette.</span></p> + +<p>Wherever I may be, have you not the right to come there; I was waiting +for you. I said so, a moment ago, to Mr. Richard, who knows all.</p> + +<p class="charct"><span class="smcap">Richard.</span></p> + +<p>Good-bye, Countess.</p> + +<p class="charct"><span class="smcap">Lionnette</span> (<i>giving him her hand with an involuntary and visible +emotion</i>).</p> + +<p>Adieu, my dear Richard.</p> + +<p class="charct"><span class="smcap">Richard</span> (<i>bowing coldly to</i> <span class="smcap">Nourvady</span>).</p> + +<p><a name="page_088" id="page_088"></a>Sir.... (<i>He goes away.</i>)</p> + +<h4><span class="smcap">Scene IV.</span></h4> + +<p class="c">LIONNETTE, NOURVADY, afterwards RAOUL.</p> + +<p class="charct"><span class="smcap">Lionnette.</span></p> + +<p>You appear quite distressed.</p> + +<p class="charct"><span class="smcap">Nourvady.</span></p> + +<p>It is on your account.</p> + +<p class="charct"><span class="smcap">Lionnette.</span></p> + +<p>I thought nothing ever troubled you! It is the scene of this morning +that has unnerved you.</p> + +<p class="charct"><span class="smcap">Nourvady.</span></p> + +<p>In the first place....</p> + +<p class="charct"><span class="smcap">Lionnette.</span></p> + +<p>The fact is that you were hurt at the way in which the Commissary +entered; and your millions were powerless. As to me, I am quite myself +again. You love me still?</p> + +<p class="charct"><span class="smcap">Nourvady.</span></p> + +<p>You ask me that?</p> + +<p class="charct"><span class="smcap">Lionnette.</span></p> + +<p>One never knows. The heart is so changeable. You see, this morning I did +not love you; it is not five o'clock, and I love you. (<i>She rings twice +violently.</i>)</p> + +<p class="charct"><span class="smcap">Nourvady.</span></p> + +<p>You are feverish; you, too....<a name="page_089" id="page_089"></a></p> + +<p class="charct"><span class="smcap">Lionnette.</span></p> + +<p>That will go off.... (<i>To the Lady's Maid, who has entered</i>) Bring me my +things to go out.</p> + +<p class="charct"><span class="smcap">Nourvady.</span></p> + +<p>Is your husband in this house?</p> + +<p class="charct"><span class="smcap">Lionnette.</span></p> + +<p>Yes.</p> + +<p class="charct"><span class="smcap">Nourvady.</span></p> + +<p>Have you seen him?</p> + +<p class="charct"><span class="smcap">Lionnette.</span></p> + +<p>No.</p> + +<p class="charct"><span class="smcap">Nourvady.</span></p> + +<p>It is, nevertheless, to see you, that he has come back here.</p> + +<p class="charct"><span class="smcap">Lionnette.</span></p> + +<p>No more than that I came here to meet him. We were living here; we are +both going away, each his own way. We come to get what we want. It is +evident that he and I would very much prefer, at this moment, to be +somewhere else. It is you who ought not to be here; but, since this +morning, it is strange we are all in places where we ought not to be. +(<i>To the Lady's Maid, who comes back.</i>) That will do; put them down +there.</p> + +<p>(<i>The maid, puts down a hat, gloves, and a travelling cloak, and goes +away.</i>)</p> + +<p class="charct"><span class="smcap">Nourvady.</span></p> + +<p>I went back to your house, hoping to find you there. You had gone away. +I supposed you were here. The servant<a name="page_090" id="page_090"></a> who announced me, and who, +evidently, knows nothing of all that has happened....</p> + +<p class="charct"><span class="smcap">Lionnette.</span></p> + +<p>No one knows anything about it except the parties interested.</p> + +<p class="charct"><span class="smcap">Nourvady.</span></p> + +<p>The servant asked me if he were to announce me to the Count or Countess +de Hun. It was in that way that I knew that your husband was here at the +same time as you. I had a strong inclination to say to the man: Announce +me to your master.</p> + +<p class="charct"><span class="smcap">Lionnette.</span></p> + +<p>What could you have to say to him now?</p> + +<p class="charct"><span class="smcap">Nourvady.</span></p> + +<p>He came to look for you in my house: I come to look for you in his. You +are a woman; you do not understand certain insults.</p> + +<p class="charct"><span class="smcap">Lionnette.</span></p> + +<p>Do you think so?</p> + +<p class="charct"><span class="smcap">Nourvady.</span></p> + +<p>That man forced my door; he even broke it. He insulted you before me, +who love you.</p> + +<p class="charct"><span class="smcap">Lionnette.</span></p> + +<p>You must remember he loves me too: that is his excuse.</p> + +<p class="charct"><span class="smcap">Nourvady.</span></p> + +<p>You defend him.<a name="page_091" id="page_091"></a></p> + +<p class="charct"><span class="smcap">Lionnette</span> (<i>while putting on her hat, mantle, and gloves</i>).</p> + +<p>Ah! heaven help me, no! Well, what would you have said to him if they +had announced you to him as you said, and he had received you? But I +doubt if he would have received you after what is passed.</p> + +<p class="charct"><span class="smcap">Nourvady.</span></p> + +<p>If he had refused to receive me, I should have burst open his door in my +turn, and....</p> + +<p class="charct"><span class="smcap">Lionnette.</span></p> + +<p>Ah! I forbid you absolutely to provoke him at present.... If I were a +widow through you ... or if he killed you, you would not be able to +marry me ... and if, one day, we could legitimize the false position we +are going to hold, I should be very glad of it. Let us trust to +Providence, as my mother used to say. Apart from all that, I am +ready.... Let us start!...</p> + +<p>(<i>At the moment that she turns round to go out</i> <span class="smcap">Raoul</span> <i>enters, and +throws himself into her arms to kiss her</i>.)</p> + +<p class="charct"><span class="smcap">Raoul.</span></p> + +<p>Mamma!</p> + +<p class="charct"><span class="smcap">Lionnette</span> (<i>surprised and agitated</i>).</p> + +<p>Ah! it is you. You frightened me!</p> + +<p class="charct"><span class="smcap">Raoul.</span></p> + +<p>Kiss me.</p> + +<p class="charct"><span class="smcap">Lionnette</span> (<i>kissing him coldly</i>).</p> + +<p>You think then of embracing me to-day. (<i>With a sigh</i>) It is rather +late.</p> + +<p class="charct"><span class="smcap">Raoul.</span></p> + +<p>Where are you going?<a name="page_092" id="page_092"></a></p> + +<p class="charct"><span class="smcap">Lionnette.</span></p> + +<p>I am going out.</p> + +<p class="charct"><span class="smcap">Raoul.</span></p> + +<p>When are you coming back?</p> + +<p class="charct"><span class="smcap">Lionnette.</span></p> + +<p>I don't know.</p> + +<p class="charct"><span class="smcap">Raoul.</span></p> + +<p>To-day?</p> + +<p class="charct"><span class="smcap">Lionnette.</span></p> + +<p>To-day.</p> + +<p class="charct"><span class="smcap">Raoul.</span></p> + +<p>Take me with you.</p> + +<p class="charct"><span class="smcap">Lionnette.</span></p> + +<p>It is impossible.</p> + +<p class="charct"><span class="smcap">Raoul.</span></p> + +<p>Why? It is such fine weather.</p> + +<p class="charct"><span class="smcap">Lionnette.</span></p> + +<p>I am going too far. I shall send you some toys, you may be sure.</p> + +<p class="charct"><span class="smcap">Raoul.</span></p> + +<p>I like better going with you.</p> + +<p class="charct"><span class="smcap">Lionnette.</span></p> + +<p>Impossible, I tell you. Go now; let me pass.</p> + +<p class="charct"><span class="smcap">Raoul.</span></p> + +<p>No!<a name="page_093" id="page_093"></a></p> + +<p class="charct"><span class="smcap">Lionnette.</span></p> + +<p>You must, my child.</p> + +<p class="charct"><span class="smcap">Nourvady</span> (<i>very agitated and very impatient during this scene, walks +from right to left to see if any one is coming.</i>)</p> + +<p>Some one is coming.</p> + +<p class="charct"><span class="smcap">Lionnette</span> (<i>a little more harshly</i>).</p> + +<p>Now, now, let me go.</p> + +<p class="charct"><span class="smcap">Raoul.</span></p> + +<p>No. (<i>He puts himself in front of his mother.</i>)</p> + +<p class="charct"><span class="smcap">Nourvady</span> (<i>taking the child by the arm, and throwing him far from him</i>).</p> + +<p>Leave us alone, then!</p> + +<p>(<i>The child totters, falls, and remains motionless.</i> <span class="smcap">Lionnette</span> <i>stops, +looks with stupor on what has passed, recoils, covers her face with her +hands, utters a piercing cry, and rushes at</i> <span class="smcap">Nourvady</span>, <i>whom she seizes +by the throat as if to strangle him</i>.)</p> + +<p class="charct"><span class="smcap">Lionnette.</span></p> + +<p>Miserable wretch!</p> + +<div class="blockquot"><p class="hang"><span class="smcap">Nourvady</span> (<i>whom she has struck on the shoulder, who feels himself +getting exhausted, but who will not defend himself, with a feeble +voice</i>).</p></div> + +<p>You are hurting me.</p> + +<p class="charct"><span class="smcap">Lionnette</span> (<i>releasing him</i>).</p> + +<p>Go away; go away! I shall strangle you. I shall kill you. My child! My +child!</p> + +<p>(<i>She utters several cries, and throws herself in despair upon the +child.</i>)<a name="page_094" id="page_094"></a></p> + +<p class="charct"><span class="smcap">Richard</span> (<i>who has entered during this scene, to</i> <span class="smcap">Nourvady</span>).</p> + +<p>Go away, sir, go away, in the name of heaven! Enough of such +misfortunes, without that.</p> + +<p>(<i>He makes</i> <span class="smcap">Nourvady</span> <i>go away</i>.)</p> + +<p class="charct"><span class="smcap">Raoul</span> (<i>half raising himself up</i>).</p> + +<p>There is nothing the matter ... Mamma.... Nothing, I assure you.</p> + +<p>(<span class="smcap">Lionnette</span> <i>on her knees, with</i> <span class="smcap">Raoul's</span> <i>head on her breast, kissing him +with rapture, sobbing without power to stop herself</i>).</p> + +<p class="charct"><span class="smcap">Richard</span> (<i>near her</i>).</p> + +<p>Saved! You are saved!</p> + +<p class="charct"><span class="smcap">Lionnette</span> (<i>with sobs, tremulously accentuating every word</i>).</p> + +<p>Yes, yes, yes, saved! (<i>To</i> <span class="smcap">Richard</span>.) Ah! I was mad.... I was mad.... +But when that man laid his hand on my child, it is awful what took +possession of me! I do not know how it was I did not kill him. What is +the use of a man struggling with a mother? For I am a mother. I am.... +Oh! I felt it truly, from my heart, that that could never be. Richard, +you guessed rightly; yes. Right-minded people guess rightly!... They +want my father's letters; very well, they shall have them. You shall +sell everything; you shall pay—you must give that man back his +money;—there will be an end to it all. Go, and find my husband. +(<span class="smcap">Richard</span> <i>goes away</i>.) I want to see him before I die, for I am going to +die, I feel it.</p> + +<p>(<i>She lets her head fall upon the couch, and half loses consciousness.</i>)</p> + +<p class="charct"><span class="smcap">Raoul</span> (<i>jumping upon the couch, taking his mother's head in his arms, +and kissing it.</i>)</p> + +<p><a name="page_095" id="page_095"></a>Mamma, mamma, mamma ... do not die, I beseech you.</p> + +<p class="charct"><span class="smcap">Lionnette</span> (<i>recovering consciousness</i>).</p> + +<p>No, no, I shall live, for I love you!...</p> + +<p>(<i>She covers him with kisses, and does not see</i> <span class="smcap">John</span>, <i>who enters with</i> +<span class="smcap">Richard</span>, <i>who is showing him the scene</i>. <span class="smcap">John</span> <i>starts back, +comprehending nothing yet</i>. <span class="smcap">Godler</span> <i>and</i> <span class="smcap">Trévelé</span> <i>look on and rejoin</i> +<span class="smcap">John</span>, <i>who cannot take his eyes off the picture of the mother and her +child</i>. <span class="smcap">Richard</span> <i>touches</i> <span class="smcap">Lionnette's</span> <i>shoulder, who turns round and +sees</i> <span class="smcap">John</span>.)</p> + +<h4><span class="smcap">Scene V.</span></h4> + +<p class="c">LIONNETTE, JOHN, RAOUL, RICHARD, GODLER, TRÉVELÉ.</p> + +<p class="charct"><span class="smcap">Lionnette</span> <i>to</i> <span class="smcap">John</span> (<i>running to him and falling on her knees</i>).</p> + +<p>Do not leave me any more. I will explain all to you. I understand, I see +it all clearly now! I am innocent, I swear to you! I swear to you! I +swear to you! We will live modestly in some quiet place, wherever you +like. What difference does that make now that my child has awakened my +soul in me?</p> + +<p>(<i>She throws herself again on her son's neck</i>).</p> + +<p class="charct"><span class="smcap">John</span> (<i>in the hands of</i> <span class="smcap">Godler</span> <i>and</i> <span class="smcap">Trévelé</span>).</p> + +<p>My friends, my friends, I am losing my senses!</p> + +<p class="charct"><span class="smcap">Godler.</span></p> + +<p>You can, indeed, boast of having a true woman as a wife!</p> + +<p class="charct"><span class="smcap">Trévelé</span> (<i>touching him</i>).</p> + +<p>Go and kneel at her feet.<a name="page_096" id="page_096"></a></p> + +<p>(<span class="smcap">Lionnette</span> <i>is sitting on the couch, supporting her son's head on her +knees, and her head thrown back, in an attitude of weariness and +contentment</i>. <span class="smcap">John</span> <i>throws himself on his knees before her, and kisses +the hand she has free. She holds out the other to</i> <span class="smcap">Richard</span>.)</p> + +<p class="charct"><span class="smcap">Lionnette</span> (<i>to</i> <span class="smcap">Richard</span>).</p> + +<p>It was just in time.</p> + +<p class="charct"><span class="smcap">Richard.</span></p> + +<p>Yes, the cry of a child! that is sufficient. When all is nearly lost, +God's way is all-powerful.</p> + +<p class="charct"><span class="smcap">John.</span></p> + +<p>I believe in you, and I love you.</p> + +<p class="charct"><span class="smcap">Lionnette</span> (<i>with a long sigh of joy</i>).</p> + +<p>Ah! how happy I am!</p> + +<p class="charct"><span class="smcap">Godler</span> (<i>wiping his eyes</i>).</p> + +<p>How foolish I am, at my age!</p> + +<p class="charct"><span class="smcap">Trévelé</span> (<i>to</i> <span class="smcap">Godler</span>, <i>wiping his eyes, and trying to conceal his +emotion</i>).</p> + +<p>Bring forward your lock of hair.</p> + +<p> +<br /> +<br /> +</p> + +<p class="c"><span class="smcap">Chateau de Salneuve</span>, <i>September</i>, 1880.</p> + +<p> +<br /> +<br /> +</p> + +<p class="c">FINIS.</p> + +<hr class="full" /> + + + + + + + +<pre> + + + + + +End of Project Gutenberg's The Princess of Bagdad, by Alexandre Dumas + +*** END OF THIS PROJECT GUTENBERG EBOOK THE PRINCESS OF BAGDAD *** + +***** This file should be named 37416-h.htm or 37416-h.zip ***** +This and all associated files of various formats will be found in: + http://www.gutenberg.org/3/7/4/1/37416/ + +Produced by Chuck Greif and the Online Distributed +Proofreading Team at http://www.pgdp.net (This book was +produced from scanned images of public domain material +from the Google Print project.) + + +Updated editions will replace the previous one--the old editions +will be renamed. + +Creating the works from public domain print editions means that no +one owns a United States copyright in these works, so the Foundation +(and you!) can copy and distribute it in the United States without +permission and without paying copyright royalties. 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