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diff --git a/37416.txt b/37416.txt new file mode 100644 index 0000000..5c36d88 --- /dev/null +++ b/37416.txt @@ -0,0 +1,4027 @@ +The Project Gutenberg EBook of The Princess of Bagdad, by Alexandre Dumas + +This eBook is for the use of anyone anywhere at no cost and with +almost no restrictions whatsoever. 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: ASCII + +*** 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.) + + + + + + + + +THE +PRINCESS OF BAGDAD, + +A PLAY IN THREE ACTS, + +BY +ALEXANDRE DUMAS, JUN., +_Of the "Academie Francaise."_ + +(TRANSLATED FROM THE FRENCH.) + +UNDER THE SANCTION OF THE AUTHOR. + +London: + +MARCHANT SINGER & CO., + +INGRAM COURT, FENCHURCH STREET. + +1881. + +_N.B.--All rights reserved._ + + + + + _DRAMATIS PERSONAE._ + + JOHN DE HUN. + NOURVADY. + GODLER. + RICHARD. + TREVELE. + A COMMISSARY OF POLICE. + LIONNETTE. + RAOUL DE HUN (six years). + A LADY'S-MAID. + A NURSE. + ANTHONY. + A FOOTMAN. + A SECRETARY OF THE COMMISSARY OF POLICE. + TWO AGENTS. + + IN PARIS. + + + + +THE PRINCESS OF BAGDAD. + + + + +ACT 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_ LIONNETTE. _To the left a door opening into the + apartment of_ JOHN. + + +SCENE I. + +RICHARD, THE FOOTMAN; afterwards JOHN and LIONNETTE. + +THE FOOTMAN (_to_ RICHARD, _who waits sitting near a table, turning over +some papers_.) + +The Count de Hun is here. + +JOHN _enters_; _the_ FOOTMAN _goes out_. + +JOHN. + +I am quite at your service, Master Richard, but I regret that you have +inconvenienced yourself to come. + +RICHARD. + +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. + +JOHN. + +Men only, some club friends. Lionnette is with them in the conservatory. + +RICHARD. + +Muster all the courage of which you are master. + +JOHN. + +We are ruined? + +RICHARD. + +Yes. + +JOHN. + +Poor Lionnette! + +RICHARD. + +Alas! It is a little her fault. + +JOHN. + +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. + +RICHARD. + +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 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." + +JOHN. + +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? + +RICHARD. + +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.... + +JOHN. + +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. + +RICHARD. + +Ah! well, when you have sold all that you can possibly sell, there will +remain about four hundred thousand francs. + +JOHN. + +Of capital? + +RICHARD. + +Of debts. + +JOHN. + +And the entail of my property? + +RICHARD. + +Ten thousand pounds income, inalienable, and all in your own power, +fortunately. + +JOHN. + +Is it impossible to realize the capital? + +RICHARD. + +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. + +JOHN (_with a doubtful tone_). + +Yes, my sister! + +RICHARD. + +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.... + +JOHN. + +Yes; but she ought to have understood.... + +RICHARD. + +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! + +JOHN. + +I start to-morrow for Rennes. I shall go to see my sister; she will +yield, perhaps, for the honour of our name. + +RICHARD. + +That name is no longer her's. + +JOHN. + +Nevertheless, I will try. + +RICHARD. + +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. + +JOHN. + +Yes. + +RICHARD. + +There is still another plan. + +JOHN. + +And that is? + +RICHARD. + +Call your creditors together, and offer them so much per cent. + +JOHN. + +Never. + +LIONNETTE (_who enters during these last words_). + +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. + +JOHN (_kissing her hands_). + +I adore you. + +RICHARD. + +Yes, it is very fine, but like a drama or a romance, it is not reality. + +LIONNETTE. + +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! + +RICHARD. + +And your son? + +LIONNETTE. + +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. + +RICHARD. + +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? + +LIONNETTE. + +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 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. + +RICHARD. + +She robbed you! In what way? + +LIONNETTE. + +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. + +JOHN. + +You have never spoken to me of that. + +LIONNETTE. + +What good would it have done? + +JOHN. + +Have you claimed that amount from her? + +LIONNETTE. + +Certainly. She denied it. + +JOHN (_to_ RICHARD). + +You might follow it up. + +RICHARD. + +No; it is trust-money. The law does not recognize it, and besides.... + +LIONNETTE. + +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. + +RICHARD. + +Knowing that I have the care of your affairs, she came to find me +out.... + +LIONNETTE. + +To.... + +RICHARD. + +To offer you five hundred thousand francs. + +LIONNETTE. + +On the part of whom? for she is a person equal to any kind of embassy. + +RICHARD. + +On the part of your father's family. + +LIONNETTE. + +What does she demand in return?... + +RICHARD. + +The giving up.... + +LIONNETTE. + +Of all my father's letters. + +RICHARD. + +Yes; you knew it? + +LIONNETTE. + +I suspected it, from a few words she said to me. I refuse to do so. + +RICHARD. + +Your mother, before she died, handed over, for a much less important +amount, all the letters that she also possessed from your father. + +LIONNETTE. + +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. + +RICHARD. + +Why do you care so much about those letters? + +LIONNETTE. + +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? + +RICHARD. + +What do you intend to do with them? + +LIONNETTE. + +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. + +JOHN (_to_ RICHARD). + +How can one help worshipping that woman? (_He takes her head between his +hands and kisses her hair._) There. + +RICHARD (_taking the hand of_ LIONNETTE). + +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. + +LIONNETTE. + +God has hitherto given, God will give again; if He forget us, then +chance must take us. + + +SCENE II. + +GODLER, NOURVADY, TREVELE. + +TREVELE (_going towards_ LIONNETTE.) + +Tell me, Countess, are we, yes or no, Godler the ever youthful, Nourvady +the ever grave, and I, Trevele, the ever 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? + +LIONNETTE. + +Yes. + +TREVELE. + +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? + +LIONNETTE (_smiling_). + +Here. + +TREVELE. + +We supposed so, but it is now two hours since.... + +LIONNETTE. + +Oh! not two hours! + +TREVELE. + +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 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. + +LIONNETTE. + +Gentlemen, I offer you every excuse. It was on account of a most +important and unforeseen affair. (_She presents_ RICHARD.) Master +Richard, solicitor, an old friend of mine. (_She introduces the +gentlemen._) Mr. de Trevele, Mr. Godler, Mr. Nourvady. (_The gentlemen +bow._) 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. + +(_She approaches the table, upon which, during this discourse, the +servants have put the articles mentioned._) + +RAOUL (_entering with his nurse, who remains near the door, and going to +his mother_). + +Mamma! + +LIONNETTE. + +Gentlemen, here is my son, whom I beg to present to you. Bow, Raoul. + +(RAOUL _bows already like a man of the world, putting his heels together +and bending his head_; TREVELE _and_ GODLER _kiss him_; NOURVADY _kisses +his hand, after hesitating a moment_; RAOUL _goes back to his mother, +who kisses him, putting her arm round his neck_.) + +RAOUL. + +Take care, you will crumple my collar. + +LIONNETTE. + +I beg your pardon, I wanted to kiss you. You don't love me, then? + +RAOUL. + +Oh, yes, I love you very much. + +LIONNETTE. + +Then you are going to help me pour out the tea? + +RAOUL. + +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. + +LIONNETTE. + +Very well, I give you leave. Run away now, my child. + +RAOUL. + +Good bye. (_He goes away running._) + +LIONNETTE. + +And you go away like that? (RAOUL _bows again, and wants to go away_. +LIONNETTE _shows him_ RICHARD.) And Mr. Richard? And your father, too? + +(_At each name mentioned_ RAOUL _passes to the person, who kisses him. +One can see he is in a great hurry to run away. When he gets to_ JOHN, +_the latter takes him in his arms and kisses him very warmly_.) + +JOHN. + +Don't be afraid, I am not going to crumple your collar. (_He puts the +child on the ground again, who tries afresh to escape._) + +LIONNETTE (_who during this time is serving the tea_). + +And me, Raoul. + +(RAOUL _runs back again and kisses his mother_.) + +LIONNETTE (_with a sigh_). + +Go and play, my child, go; and amuse yourself well. + +(LIONNETTE, _a cup in each hand, presents one to_ GODLER, _the other to_ +TREVELE.) + +GODLER (_touching_ LIONNETTE's _hand with his lips_). + +Dare I be so bold? + +LIONNETTE. + +If you wish it. + +TREVELE. + +And I? + +LIONNETTE. + +And you, too. Only, take the cups, or you will burn my hands with the +tea. + +GODLER. + +And you, Nourvady? + +NOURVADY. + +Thank you, I ask for nothing, not even a cup of tea. + +(JOHN _chats with_ RICHARD _in a corner_.) + +TREVELE. + +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.... + +NOURVADY. + +My money has nothing to do with this. + +TREVELE. + +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. + +GODLER. + +And useful. + +(RICHARD _and_ JOHN, _who have chatted in a corner of the drawing-room, +make their way to the terrace, where they chat in sight of the public_.) + +NOURVADY. + +I do not know why Trevele 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. + +LIONNETTE. + +Easy resignation, I think, and that I should have had like you. + +NOURVADY. + +Ah! Madam, a fortune is a burden like anything else, at least for a man, +for women have more grace and intelligence 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. + +TREVELE. + +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. + +NOURVADY (_holding out his hand to him_). + +Rest assured, my dear Trevele, that I am never offended at your jokes. + +GODLER (_to_ TREVELE). + +It is very fortunate for you, for if Nourvady were at all susceptible +you would have a nice time. + +TREVELE. + +Why? + +GODLER. + +Because he kills a bird at every shot. + +TREVELE. + +But I am not a bird. + +GODLER. + +And he hits the mark eleven times out of twelve, and barely escapes the +twelfth. + +NOURVADY. + +Fortunately I have an easy temper, which I have acquired by +self-control, for I was naturally violent and irritable. + +GODLER. + +That poor Marnepont discovered something of that. + +NOURVADY. + +Don't let us speak of that. + +LIONNETTE. + +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? + +NOURVADY. + +Alas! yes, madam. + +LIONNETTE. + +In a duel? + +NOURVADY. + +Certainly. I did not assassinate him. + +LIONNETTE. + +He was very annoying. + +NOURVADY. + +That was not the only reason of his death. He had other defects. He was +insolent, and, above all, a liar. + +LIONNETTE. + +What insolence was he guilty of? What lie did he tell? I will wager +there was a woman in the case. + +(RICHARD _is gone_. JOHN _hears all that is said, leaning upon the back +of the couch where his wife is sitting_.) + +NOURVADY. + +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. + +LIONNETTE. + +That is not seen at all. + +NOURVADY. + +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 (_he raises his right +shoulder a little_), 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. + +TREVELE. + +And Marnepont? + +NOURVADY. + +Ah, well! In making the movement occasioned by the pain, this shoulder +was for the moment higher than that. (_He raises the right arm a +little._) "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. + +GODLER (_quite low to_ TREVELE). + +He wants to rise in the estimation of our hostess; he is a clever +fellow. + +LIONNETTE (_looking at_ NOURVADY, _who is going towards_ GODLER _and_ +TREVELE, _one sitting and the other standing at the other side of the +room_). + +He is peculiar, that man. + +JOHN. + +Do you find him odd? + +LIONNETTE. + +Yes, he is so unlike any one else. + +JOHN. + +Indeed? + +LIONNETTE. + +What is the matter with you? What are you thinking about? + +JOHN. + +I am thinking that that odd man is very happy. + +LIONNETTE. + +In having the left shoulder higher than the right, and a ball in the +latter? + +JOHN. + +In having what I have not, in having forty millions. + +LIONNETTE. + +Ah, yes, that would help us out of our difficulties. + +JOHN. + +My poor Lionnette, I am very unhappy. + +LIONNETTE. + +Why? + +JOHN. + +Because I am not able to give you any longer what I formerly gave you. + +LIONNETTE. + +I shall do very well without it. + +JOHN. + +You are incapable of it; you said it yourself just now. + +LIONNETTE. + +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. + +JOHN. + +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. + +LIONNETTE. + +Why did I marry you, then? + +JOHN. + +Because your mother advised you to do it. + +LIONNETTE. + +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. + +JOHN. + +Gratitude is not love. + +LIONNETTE. + +Love comes afterwards. + +JOHN. + +A long time afterwards, for it has not come yet. + +LIONNETTE. + +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. + +(_She hesitates a moment before continuing._) + +JOHN. + +You were going to say something else. + +LIONNETTE. + +No. + +JOHN. + +Yes. Say it, whatever it was. + +(_He draws_ LIONNETTE _by the hand, close to him_.) + +GODLER. + +There are the plots beginning again. An odd kind of a house this. + +(_The three persons go out on the terrace, and from there into the +garden, where one sees no more of them._) + +LIONNETTE. + +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. + +JOHN. + +To save you? What have you done then? + +LIONNETTE. + +I have ruined you. + +JOHN. + +That is all. + +LIONNETTE. + +It is quite enough. + +JOHN. + +You have never thought of.... + +LIONNETTE. + +Of what? + +JOHN. + +Of another? + +LIONNETTE (_laughing_). + +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. + +JOHN. + +Whether I am mad or not, answer my question. + +LIONNETTE. + +No, you can be assured on that point. I have never thought of any one +else. + +JOHN. + +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? + +LIONNETTE. + +We have not arrived at that yet. + +JOHN. + +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. + +LIONNETTE. + +Where is the woman who does not discover such things? Ask those who have +never, by anyone, been told or allowed 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. + +JOHN. + +Has he declared himself? + +LIONNETTE. + +Never. + +JOHN. + +Your word for it. + +LIONNETTE. + +My word of honour. + +JOHN. + +It will come to that. + +LIONNETTE. + +He will not be the last, I hope. What do you want to make of it? + +JOHN. + +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. + +LIONNETTE (_seriously and haughtily_). + +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. + +JOHN. + +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. (_In a low, eager voice_) I adore +you! I adore you! + +(_During the last words_ NOURVADY _has come on to the stage again. He +has looked at_ JOHN _and_ LIONNETTE. _He takes his hat_; GODLER _and_ +TREVELE _follow him_.) + +LIONNETTE. + +Do not speak so low; you could be heard. + +JOHN. + +Kiss me, then. + +LIONNETTE. + +You wish me to kiss you. Here? + +JOHN. + +Here. + +LIONNETTE. + +Before everybody? + +JOHN. + +Before him. + +LIONNETTE. + +The same subject. Take care! You are doing him a great honour. + +JOHN. + +It is an idea that I have. + +LIONNETTE. + +You would like it? + +JOHN. + +Yes. + +LIONNETTE. + +You know well you must not dare me to anything. + +JOHN. + +I implore you. + +LIONNETTE. + +Once, twice, three times (_kissing him on both cheeks_). So much the +worse for you. There! + +GODLER (_laughing_.) + +Ah! my friends, ah! You have decidedly a manner of your own of +receiving. + +THE SERVANT (_entering_). + +Some one wants to see the Count. + +GODLER. + +Too late, my man, too late! He ought to have come a minute earlier. + +THE SERVANT. + +I beg your pardon, Sir? + +GODLER. + +Go, go! It would be too long to explain. + +JOHN (_to the Servant_). + +Who wants to see me? + +THE SERVANT. + +It is a clerk of Mr. Richard. + +JOHN. + +Very well, I will go to him. (_To_ GODLER _and to_ TREVELE) I am coming +back immediately. + +GODLER. + +Don't study us. + +(GODLER _and_ TREVELE _accompany_ JOHN _to the room at the end, where +they remain some moments talking in sight of the public; and, when_ JOHN +_is gone away, they remain there, walking up and down, during the scene +between_ LIONNETTE _and_ NOURVADY.) + +NOURVADY (_goes towards_ LIONNETTE, _hat in hand_). + +Adieu, Countess. + +LIONNETTE. + +Are you going to leave us? + +NOURVADY. + +Yes, your house is in a visible agitation. There is less indiscretion in +perceiving it than in remaining. + +LIONNETTE. + +When shall we see you again? + +NOURVADY. + +Never! + +LIONNETTE. + +You are going away? + +NOURVADY. + +No; but I shall come here no more. + +LIONNETTE (_laughing_). + +You did not enjoy your dinner? + +NOURVADY. + +Do me the honour of listening to me to the end. + +GODLER (_to_ TREVELE, _on seeing_ LIONNETTE _seat herself again, and_ +NOURVADY _approach her_.) + +That's well! With the other now. + +NOURVADY. + +I love you (LIONNETTE _makes a movement_). You know it; and you ought to +have foreseen that I should one day tell you so. + +LIONNETTE. + +Yes; it is only five minutes ago that my husband and I were speaking +about it. + +NOURVADY. + +Do not laugh. You may tell by the tone of my voice that I am very +serious. I love you passionately. You do not 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. + +LIONNETTE (_rising to retire_). + +Sir! + +NOURVADY. + +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. + +LIONNETTE (_re-seating herself_). + +How do you know that? + +NOURVADY. + +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 Elysees with your husband and me, you remarked at No. 20 a +private house that was nearly finished. + +LIONNETTE. + +Yes. + +NOURVADY. + +You admired then the exterior elegance of that house. That was +sufficient to induce me to resolve that no man 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 Elysees 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. +(_He shows a little key._) 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. + +(LIONNETTE _takes the key that_ NOURVADY _has laid upon the table while +talking; rises, and goes to throw it out of the open window; passes +before_ NOURVADY _in going to rejoin_ GODLER _and_ TREVELE.) + +NOURVADY (_while she passes in front of him_). + +That window looks upon your garden, Countess, not upon the street. In a +garden a key can be picked up again. + +(_He bows, and leaves her, to take his departure._) + +LIONNETTE (_in a low voice_). + +The insolent fellow! + +JANE (_entering, to_ LIONNETTE). + +Master Raoul will not go to bed, Madam. + +LIONNETTE. + +Very well; I am coming. + +(_She goes out by the door from which_ JANE _has spoken to her_.) + +TREVELE (_to_ GODLER). + +Again running away! that is too strong. This time, let us go too. + +NOURVADY. + +No, remain; I think you will be wanted here. Good bye. (_He goes away._) + + +SCENE III. + +GODLER, TREVELE. + +TREVELE (_to_ GODLER, _while eating a cake_). + +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.... + +GODLER (_after looking around him_). + +In 1853. + +TREVELE. + +You are decided? + +GODLER. + +In 1853. + +TREVELE. + +Why did you never tell it? + +GODLER. + +In 1853 there was a Madam Duranton, who kept a shop in the rue +Traversiere. + +TREVELE. + +Where may the rue Traversiere be? + +GODLER. + +It was a little cross street, of compromised fame, leading from the rue +St. Honore to the rue Richelieu. Madame Duranton, a widow--one could not +be more a widow--sold left-off clothes. You can imagine the rest.... + +TREVELE. + +Yes, I see, I see; make haste. + +GODLER. + +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.... + +TREVELE. + +In 1853? + +GODLER. + +In 1853. + +TREVELE. + +How old were you? + +GODLER. + +I was 39 years old. + +TREVELE. + +You are old, then? + +GODLER. + +I am 66. + +TREVELE. + +You don't look that age. + +GODLER. + +Because I get myself up very well. + +TREVELE. + +What a good fellow! Go on. + +GODLER. + +Would you like us to make a bet? + +TREVELE. + +No, you would gain it; Florimond has told it to me. + +GODLER (_who is sitting down_). + +Very well; go and shut the window, and give me something to drink. + +TREVELE. + +Go on. + +GODLER. + +Madame Duranton had a daughter. + +TREVELE. + +To whom you made love? + +GODLER. + +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. + +(_During this time_ GODLER _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_.) + +TREVELE. + +One could almost wish to taste thereof. You are a poet! + +GODLER. + +That I had from my youth. At that time.... + +TREVELE. + +In your youth? + +GODLER. + +No, in 1853, there were a king and queen.... + +TREVELE. + +Who reigned.... + +GODLER. + +Exactly. + +TREVELE. + +Happy time! Where did they reign? + +GODLER. + +At Bagdad. + +TREVELE. + +Thank you. + +GODLER. + +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. + +TREVELE. + +He was not like you. + +GODLER. + +No, he was not like me. + +TREVELE. + +Go on. + +GODLER. + +Always study; always reflection; always indifference. + +TREVELE. + +A strange prince! + +GODLER. + +The ambassadors opened negotiation upon negotiation uselessly with +foreign courts in view of a political alliance. Several young +princesses of surrounding countries, of Hindostan, of Persia, and even +of Europe.... + +TREVELE. + +How well you relate a thing! + +GODLER. + +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! + +TREVELE. + +Go on quickly. + +GODLER. + +A chamberlain had a very simple idea. + +TREVELE. + +In general the ideas of chamberlains are very simple. + +GODLER. + +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. + +TREVELE. + +Bad complaints require strong remedies. + +GODLER. + +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. In fact, it was not a Lycoenion, but +a perfect Chloe, that was sought for the instruction of this Daphnis, +and it was not to be child's play. + +TREVELE. + +I see the young Lionnette dawning. But how did everything come about? + +GODLER. + +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. + +TREVELE. + +And he discovered a way of leading the prince to eat the cherries and +almonds? + +GODLER. + +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. + +TREVELE. + +You are king, you cry, and I depart. + +GODLER. + +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 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. + +TREVELE. + +Then the countess is daughter of a prince? + +GODLER. + +Daughter of a king, even--for the prince succeeded his father. + +TREVELE. + +What a strange country! + +GODLER. + +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. + +TREVELE. + +And the mother, the Marchioness of Quansas, has she seen the king again +since that adventure? + +GODLER. + +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, +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. + +TREVELE. + +I know whom you mean. + +GODLER. + +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. + +TREVELE. + +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? + +(_While they both look for their hats, their backs turned to the bottom +of the room_, JOHN _enters, very pale, and visibly affected_.) + + +SCENE IV. + +THE SAME PERSONS, JOHN. + +JOHN. + +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.... + +(_He draws his hand across his forehead._) + +GODLER. + +You are suffering much? + +JOHN. + +It is nothing.... A little fatigue, it is very warm. + +TREVELE. + +We are going away. + +JOHN. + +However, it may be that I shall stand in need of two sure friends. Can I +count upon you? + +TREVELE (_aside_). + +Nourvady was right. + +GODLER. + +Certainly; we shall breakfast, Trevele and I, to-morrow at 12 o'clock at +the club. If you have anything to say to us. + +JOHN. + +Thank you. Till to-morrow then. + +GODLER (_aside, as he goes out_). + +Poor fellow. + +TREVELE (_aside, as he goes out_). + +The weather is getting stormy, as the sailors say. + + +SCENE V. + +JOHN _alone at first, afterwards_ LIONNETTE. + +JOHN, _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_ LIONNETTE _went out_: LIONNETTE _enters by the same +door when he is half-way towards it_. + +JOHN (_standing still_). + +Where have you come from? + +LIONNETTE. + +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. + +JOHN. + +They are all three gone. + +LIONNETTE. + +What is the matter with you? You are quite pale.... What has happened +again? + +JOHN. + +You want to know? + +LIONNETTE. + +Yes, certainly. I ask you to tell me. + +JOHN (_walking up to her and putting his fist towards her face_). + +When I think how I failed in respect for my mother, who died cursing me, +and all for this creature. + +LIONNETTE (_coming up to him_). + +I do not understand. + +JOHN. + +You do not understand! + +LIONNETTE. + +No; I believe, I hope, that you are still madder than usual. What is it? + +JOHN (_drawing some papers from his pocket_). + +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? + +LIONNETTE (_stupified_). + +Mr. Nourvady! + +JOHN. + +Yes, Mr. Nourvady, your lover! + +LIONNETTE (_indignantly_). + +My lover! + +JOHN. + +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. + +LIONNETTE. + +Perhaps you will tell me what all this means? + +JOHN. + +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. + +(_He throws the papers on the table._) + +LIONNETTE. + +I swear to you.... + +JOHN (_mad with rage_). + +'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? + +LIONNETTE. + +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. + +JOHN (_exasperated_). + +I turn you out of doors. + +LIONNETTE. + +Unfortunately, this house is mine, and I remain in it. + +JOHN. + +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! + +(_He goes away with a menacing gesture._) + +LIONNETTE (_alone_). + +Adieu! (_Shrugging her shoulders, and going towards her apartment._) +The idiot! (_She goes into her room._) + + + + +ACT II. + + _A small drawing-room, in great taste, combined with much luxury. + General arrangements of the room rather adapted for repose and + sleep--for tete-a-tete--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._ + + _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._ + + +SCENE I. + + LIONNETTE_, 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._ LIONNETTE, + _astonished, looks around her_. NOURVADY _appears at the back of + the room_. + + +SCENE II. + +LIONNETTE, NOURVADY. + +(NOURVADY _stops, after having let fall the screen, and salutes_ +LIONNETTE _very respectfully. He is hat in hand._) + +LIONNETTE (_troubled_). + +Is it you? + +NOURVADY. + +You rang. + +LIONNETTE. + +I thought a footman would answer. + +NOURVADY. + +Your most grateful and humble slave has come. + +LIONNETTE (_severely_). + +You were waiting for me? + +NOURVADY. + +Yes. + +LIONNETTE. + +That is the reason you said yesterday that you would be in this house +to-day. + +NOURVADY. + +Yes. + +LIONNETTE. + +You were sure that I should come. + +NOURVADY (_a little ironically_). + +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. + +LIONNETTE. + +The fact is that you have discovered the only way to compel me,--an +infamous way, Sir. (_While speaking she has taken off the veils that +covered her face, and thrown them on the table._) You acknowledge, Sir, +do you not, the infamous means you have adopted. Answer me! + +NOURVADY. + +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. + +LIONNETTE. + +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. (_Seating herself._) 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. + +NOURVADY. + +I have already told you: I love you. + +LIONNETTE. + +And this, then, is your fashion of proving your love? + +NOURVADY. + +If I had had any other at my disposal, I should have employed it. I love +you (_changing his tone, and approaching her_). I have loved you madly +for years. (_She recoils involuntarily from the movement of_ NOURVADY.) +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 that was very +easy for me; but I could not control the circumstances. + +LIONNETTE. + +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. + +NOURVADY. + +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? + +LIONNETTE. + +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. + +NOURVADY. + +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. + +LIONNETTE. + +No! If I were a man and pretended to love an honest woman, whatever +might come of it, I would respect her dignity and the proprieties of the +society in which she moves. + +NOURVADY. + +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? + +LIONNETTE. + +Sir!... + +NOURVADY. + +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 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. + +LIONNETTE (_half mockingly, half sincerely_). + +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. + +NOURVADY. + +But you may become a widow. + +LIONNETTE. + +Then, you really hate the Count? + +NOURVADY. + +Yes, almost as much as I love you. + +LIONNETTE. + +And you would like to prove it to him? + +NOURVADY. + +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. Trevele, whom I had left expressly at your house +yesterday until the Count returned home. + +LIONNETTE. + +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. + +NOURVADY. + +He will not find it. + +LIONNETTE. + +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. + +NOURVADY. + +He will strike me? + +LIONNETTE. + +That is not at all doubtful. + +NOURVADY. + +And I will kill him. + +LIONNETTE. + +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. + +NOURVADY. + +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. + +LIONNETTE. + +In what way? + +NOURVADY. + +Because, having no relations, not a single true friend in this world, as +is only to be expected in a millionaire like me; 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. + +LIONNETTE. + +Why? + +NOURVADY. + +Because that child is the living proof of your love for your husband. + +LIONNETTE (_aside_). + +Alas! The child proves nothing. (_Aloud_) 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. + +NOURVADY. + +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 (_he points to a cabinet at the bottom of the +room_), and your pocket money is here (_he shows the coffer_). + +LIONNETTE. + +Ah! yes, it is true. The famous million! There lies the temptation of +the present hour. The tabernacle of the golden calf. Ah! well, let me +look at it.... After all you have told me, who knows? perhaps, your god +will convert me. + +(_She walks towards the coffer, of which she opens the principal side. +The gold contained in it is scattered all over the open panel._) + +LIONNETTE (_looking at the gold_). + +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. (_Shutting the coffer violently._) 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 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! (_She goes +towards the door at the back. Two violent and quick rings are heard at +the bell of the entrance._) What can that be? + +NOURVADY. + +A visitor who has made a mistake (_ringing_). Wait a moment! (_The +Footman appears._) Who is that? + +THE FOOTMAN. + +There are several men ringing at the door, but we have not opened it. + +(_During this time_ LIONNETTE _has covered herself with her veils_.) + +NOURVADY. + +Very well! Do not open it. + +(_Two blows of a hammer are given on the hall door; after a little +while, two more._) + +A VOICE (_from outside_). + +For the third time, open. + +LIONNETTE (_who has gone to look through the curtains of the window_). + +My husband! With these men. Ah! this is complete. + +NOURVADY. + +Conceal yourself here. (_He shoves the door at the right._) + +LIONNETTE (_beyond herself with passion_). + +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. (NOURVADY _goes to lock the door at the back_. LIONNETTE +_has pulled off her veils, torn the fichu that was on her shoulders, and +unrolled her hair by shaking her head_.) 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? + +NOURVADY. + +Ah! yes; beautiful indeed. + +LIONNETTE. + +And you love me? + +NOURVADY. + +Very deeply. + +LIONNETTE. + +And all your life will be devoted to me? + +NOURVADY. + +All my life. + +LIONNETTE. + +You swear it to me? + +NOURVADY. + +On my word of honour. + +(_He approaches her quickly. At that moment she stretches out her +uncovered arms, and crosses them on her face; that she turns away._ +NOURVADY _covers her arms with kisses_.) + +A VOICE (_outside the door that_ NOURVADY _has shut_). + +Open! + +NOURVADY. + +Who are you? + +THE VOICE. + +In the name of the law. + +NOURVADY. + +I am in my own house. I refuse. + +JOHN (_from outside_). + +Break open that door. + +LIONNETTE. + +The coward! + +THE VOICE. + +It is I who give orders here, and I only. For the last time, will you +open the door? + +NOURVADY. + +No! + +THE VOICE. + +Force that door. + +NOURVADY (_to_ LIONNETTE). + +Tell me that you love me. + +LIONNETTE. + +Ah! yes, I love you; as he has driven me to it. + +(_During these words the door was violently shaken, and it opens with a +great noise._) + + +SCENE III. + +THE SAME PERSONS, JOHN, THE COMMISSARY OF POLICE, his SECRETARY, TWO +AGENTS. + +_By an involuntary movement_ LIONNETTE _places herself on the side +opposite to that on which she was with_ NOURVADY. _In this way they +become separated._ NOURVADY _walks in front of the_ COMMISSARY OF +POLICE. LIONNETTE _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._ JOHN _points her +out to the_ COMMISSARY, _and wants to run towards her. The_ COMMISSARY +_stops him_. + +THE COMMISSARY. + +By virtue of an official mandate, I am required to come at the request +of Count Victor Charles John de Hun, who is 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. + +NOURVADY. + +Sir! + +THE COMMISSARY. + +You will please be silent, sir, and reply only to my questions, if I +have any to put to you. (_To_ JOHN.) This gentleman is, I believe, Mr. +Nourvady, whom you accuse of being an accomplice with your wife? + +JOHN. + +Yes. + +THE COMMISSARY (_to_ LIONNETTE). + +Do you deny that, madam? + +LIONNETTE. + +No. I am, indeed, the legitimate wife of that gentleman, and Countess de +Hun, alas! + +THE COMMISSARY (_to an Agent_). + +See that no one enters here! (_To the Secretary._) Sit down and write. +(_The Secretary sits down and prepares to write._) + +NOURVADY (_to_ THE COMMISSARY). + +But really, sir? + +THE COMMISSARY. + +I am Commissary of Police in your district; here are my insignia, sir. +(_He shows one end of his scarf; dictating to his Secretary_). Having +betaken ourselves to one of the residences of Mr. Nourvady.... + +LIONNETTE. + +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. + +THE COMMISSARY (_to one of his Agents_). + +Open it. (_The Agent gives him all the papers that he finds in the +cabinet._ THE COMMISSARY _reads them over_.) 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. (_While he is speaking he +carries the papers to_ LIONNETTE.) + +LIONNETTE (_taking the papers and signing_). + +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. + +JOHN (_menacing her_). + +Madam! + +THE COMMISSARY. + +Silence, sir, I beg of you. (_Dictating._) 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 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. + +JOHN. + +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. + +THE COMMISSARY (_to the Secretary_). + +Record the declaration of the Count de Hun. (_Dictating._) 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? (_He turns towards_ NOURVADY.) + +NOURVADY. + +Yes, sir. + +THE COMMISSARY. + +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. + +(_While speaking_, THE COMMISSARY _has run his eye over the stage, +looking at the furniture, and lifting up the screens that separated the +drawing room from other rooms_.) + +JOHN. + +The presence of my wife in this house is sufficient to prove the crime. + +THE COMMISSARY. + +No, sir. + +JOHN. + +In a case like this the intention is enough. + +THE COMMISSARY. + +We are not here to judge according to intentions, but to state according +to facts. + +JOHN (_picking up_ LIONNETTE'S _veils_). + +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. (_Pointing to_ LIONNETTE.) Look at this, sir; +what more do you require? + +THE COMMISSARY. + +Be as calm as possible, sir; the law will do its duty, however painful +it may be. (_He dictates._) 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. + +NOURVADY (_to_ THE COMMISSARY). + +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. + +LIONNETTE (_very calm at first, but gradually exciting herself to +frenzy_). + +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. + +JOHN (_running towards her_. THE COMMISSARY _puts himself between +them_.) + +Madam! + +LIONNETTE. + +Whatever may be the punishment of the adulteress, I merit it. (_To the +Secretary, who hesitates._) Write, sir, I have not finished. Write. +(_She rises, and walks to the table where the Secretary is writing._) 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! +(_She steeps her bare arms in the gold, and throws handfuls of it all +round her._ _To_ JOHN.) 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. + +JOHN (_going towards her; she looks in his face_; JOHN _falls on a +chair_.) + +Madam!... Ah! + +LIONNETTE (_to_ NOURVADY.) + +And now do you believe that I am entirely yours? + +JOHN. + +In the face of the insolence and audacity of the accused, I require her +immediate arrest. + +THE COMMISSARY. + +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. (_To_ NOURVADY.) 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. +(_He points to the left._ NOURVADY _bows to_ LIONNETTE _and goes out by +the left, passing in front of_ JOHN, _who, standing with his arms +folded, pretends not to see the provoking salute_ NOURVADY _gives him_.) + +THE COMMISSARY (_to_ LIONNETTE). + +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. + +LIONNETTE. + +Thank you, sir. + +(_She goes out by the door at the right_). + +THE COMMISSARY (_to_ JOHN). + +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. + +(JOHN _bows to him and goes away_. THE COMMISSARY _comes back and sits +down near his Secretary, to complete the last formalities_.) + + + + +ACT III. + +_The same decorations as in the first Act._ + + +SCENE I. + +JOHN, GODLER, TREVELE. + +(GODLER _is sitting down_, TREVELE _standing_. JOHN _is walking about in +great agitation_.) + +GODLER. + +And then? + +JOHN (_sitting down_). + +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 Elysees. 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. + +TREVELE. + +And the Countess was there? + +JOHN. + +Yes. + +TREVELE. + +With Nourvady? + +JOHN. + +Yes. + +GODLER (_after a little while_). + +And you are convinced?... + +JOHN. + +Her hair undone, her arms bare, her dress-body opened! And such +effrontery! such impudence! (_Rising, and putting his head in his +hands._) 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. + +(_He sits down weeping, his head in his hands._) + +GODLER (_much moved_). + +My poor old friend! + +JOHN. + +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! + +GODLER. + +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. + +(TREVELE, _on his part, takes John warmly by the hand_.) + +TREVELE (_aside_). + +Poor fellow! + +JOHN. + +Then, you understand why I have raised this scandal 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. + +GODLER. + +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. + +JOHN. + +What do you mean by whatever may happen? + +GODLER. + +We never know! The human heart.... + +JOHN. + +You believe me so weak, so much in love, and so base as to 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. + +GODLER. + +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 Trevele was relating all sorts of nonsense to me, and I was +supposed to be listening to it.... + +TREVELE. + +Continue. + +GODLER. + +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! (_To_ +TREVELE.) Is it true? + +TREVELE. + +It is quite true.... + +JOHN. + +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. + +GODLER. + +My dear fellow!... + +JOHN. + +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. + +(GODLER _and_ TREVELE _take him warmly by the hand_.) + +TREVELE. + +But the Countess, where is she? + +JOHN. + +She is, no doubt, in her house in the Champs Elysees. + +TREVELE. + +Then she will not come here? + +JOHN. + +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. + +TREVELE. + +And Raoul? Your son? + +JOHN (_with a bitter laugh_). + +Are you quite sure that he is my son? + +TREVELE. + +Do not let your anger mislead you. + +JOHN. + +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. + +TREVELE. + +At his age! He will be very unhappy. + +JOHN. + +All the better for him. He will suffer at an earlier age--he will +understand more easily. + +A SERVANT (_entering_). + +Mr. Richard. + +JOHN (_aside_). + +It is not I who sent for him? Does he know anything? + +GODLER. + +Would you like us to leave you? + +JOHN. + +No. I have nothing to say that you may not hear.... unless you have +something else to do. + +TREVELE. + +No, nothing. (_To_ GODLER.) Nor you, have you? + +GODLER. + +I--no, nothing. (_To_ TREVELE, _combing his whiskers and pulling forward +his lock of hair_.) Florimonde is waiting for me. + +TREVELE. + +She is waiting for you with some one else. Be at ease, she will not be +weary waiting for you. + + +SCENE II. + +THE SAME PERSONS, RICHARD. + +RICHARD (_in a low voice to_ JOHN). + +I know all, Count. + +JOHN (_aloud_). + +These gentlemen also.... + +RICHARD (_bowing_). + +Your servant, gentlemen! (_To_ JOHN.) 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. + +JOHN. + +In what place? + +RICHARD. + +Here. She knew very well that I would not go anywhere else. + +JOHN. + +Then she is here? + +RICHARD. + +Yes. + +JOHN. + +Have you seen her? + +RICHARD. + +No; but the footman told me, and he is gone to inform her. I wanted to +see you in the meantime. + +JOHN. + +And people already know it? + +RICHARD. + +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 Elysees 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. + +JOHN. + +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. + +THE LADY'S MAID (_entering_). + +The Countess de Hun sends me to say to Mr. Richard, that when he has +finished speaking to the Count she will be glad to see him.... + +JOHN (_to the Lady's Maid_). + +Say to the Countess that Mr. Richard will be with her in a few minutes. +(_The Lady's Maid goes away._) Ah! she has audacity. When a woman has +once taken up the part of infamy and dishonour it is dreadful. (_To +Richard._) 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. + +(_All three go away._) + + +SCENE III. + +RICHARD, afterwards LIONNETTE. + +RICHARD _is about to take up his hat. At the moment that he is thinking +of entering_ LIONNETTE'S _apartment, she appears_. + +LIONNETTE. + +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? + +RICHARD. + +Yes. + +LIONNETTE. + +Then I have nothing more to tell you? + +RICHARD. + +No. All that is then quite true? + +LIONNETTE. + +Nothing on earth can be truer. + +RICHARD. + +Notwithstanding yesterday? + +LIONNETTE. + +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. + +RICHARD. + +Dearly? + +LIONNETTE. + +Yes, very dearly. + +RICHARD. + +And the price is paid? + +LIONNETTE. + +It is paid. + +RICHARD. + +Is it true? + +LIONNETTE. + +Paid or not paid, here are the title-deeds. (_Putting them on the table, +and beginning to totter._) 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. + +RICHARD. + +Sit down, you look as if you were going to fall. You are quite pale; the +blood has rushed to your heart. + +LIONNETTE (_with a great effort_). + +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. + +RICHARD. + +And where is this million? + +LIONNETTE. + +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. + +RICHARD (_aside_.) + +Poor creature! + +LIONNETTE. + +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. + +RICHARD. + +And you are going away with Mr. Nourvady? + +LIONNETTE. + +We start this very day. + +RICHARD. + +It is positively arranged? + +LIONNETTE. + +I think so; I have not seen him again, but I want absolutely to start +to-day. + +RICHARD. + +And where will you meet? + +LIONNETTE. + +I suppose they will come for me here. + +RICHARD. + +Quite openly? + +LIONNETTE. + +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. + +RICHARD. + +Do you love Mr. Nourvady, then? + +LIONNETTE (_hoping to deceive_ RICHARD). + +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. + +RICHARD. + +And your husband? + +LIONNETTE (_sincere_). + +Oh! he! that is another thing; I hate him ... oh, yes! I hate him +_well_ ... without doubt.... + +RICHARD. + +And your child? + +LIONNETTE. + +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 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? + +RICHARD. + +I do not dispute; only embrace your child for the last time. + +LIONNETTE. + +Why disturb him? he is playing no doubt. + +RICHARD. + +I am going to look for him. + +LIONNETTE. + +No, I beg of you. (RICHARD _walks towards the room_.) I do not wish it. + +(THE FOOTMAN _appears_.) + +THE FOOTMAN. + +Mr. Nourvady would like to know if the Countess de Hun can receive him. + +LIONNETTE (_in a natural tone._) + +Certainly! (_To_ RICHARD.) Good bye, my dear Mr. Richard ... I will +write if I have any instructions to give you. My kind regards to your +wife ... if she knows nothing yet. + +RICHARD. + +Do not remain long here, that will be more prudent. + +LIONNETTE. + +I am going away directly. + +(THE FOOTMAN _lets_ NOURVADY _pass, and goes away_.) + +NOURVADY. + +You excuse me, Madam? + +LIONNETTE. + +For what? + +NOURVADY. + +For coming here to look for you. + +LIONNETTE. + +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. + +RICHARD. + +Good-bye, Countess. + +LIONNETTE (_giving him her hand with an involuntary and visible +emotion_). + +Adieu, my dear Richard. + +RICHARD (_bowing coldly to_ NOURVADY). + +Sir.... (_He goes away._) + + +SCENE IV. + +LIONNETTE, NOURVADY, afterwards RAOUL. + +LIONNETTE. + +You appear quite distressed. + +NOURVADY. + +It is on your account. + +LIONNETTE. + +I thought nothing ever troubled you! It is the scene of this morning +that has unnerved you. + +NOURVADY. + +In the first place.... + +LIONNETTE. + +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? + +NOURVADY. + +You ask me that? + +LIONNETTE. + +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. (_She rings twice +violently._) + +NOURVADY. + +You are feverish; you, too.... + +LIONNETTE. + +That will go off.... (_To the Lady's Maid, who has entered_) Bring me my +things to go out. + +NOURVADY. + +Is your husband in this house? + +LIONNETTE. + +Yes. + +NOURVADY. + +Have you seen him? + +LIONNETTE. + +No. + +NOURVADY. + +It is, nevertheless, to see you, that he has come back here. + +LIONNETTE. + +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. +(_To the Lady's Maid, who comes back._) That will do; put them down +there. + +(_The maid, puts down a hat, gloves, and a travelling cloak, and goes +away._) + +NOURVADY. + +I went back to your house, hoping to find you there. You had gone away. +I supposed you were here. The servant who announced me, and who, +evidently, knows nothing of all that has happened.... + +LIONNETTE. + +No one knows anything about it except the parties interested. + +NOURVADY. + +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. + +LIONNETTE. + +What could you have to say to him now? + +NOURVADY. + +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. + +LIONNETTE. + +Do you think so? + +NOURVADY. + +That man forced my door; he even broke it. He insulted you before me, +who love you. + +LIONNETTE. + +You must remember he loves me too: that is his excuse. + +NOURVADY. + +You defend him. + +LIONNETTE (_while putting on her hat, mantle, and gloves_). + +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. + +NOURVADY. + +If he had refused to receive me, I should have burst open his door in my +turn, and.... + +LIONNETTE. + +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!... + +(_At the moment that she turns round to go out_ RAOUL _enters, and +throws himself into her arms to kiss her_.) + +RAOUL. + +Mamma! + +LIONNETTE (_surprised and agitated_). + +Ah! it is you. You frightened me! + +RAOUL. + +Kiss me. + +LIONNETTE (_kissing him coldly_). + +You think then of embracing me to-day. (_With a sigh_) It is rather +late. + +RAOUL. + +Where are you going? + +LIONNETTE. + +I am going out. + +RAOUL. + +When are you coming back? + +LIONNETTE. + +I don't know. + +RAOUL. + +To-day? + +LIONNETTE. + +To-day. + +RAOUL. + +Take me with you. + +LIONNETTE. + +It is impossible. + +RAOUL. + +Why? It is such fine weather. + +LIONNETTE. + +I am going too far. I shall send you some toys, you may be sure. + +RAOUL. + +I like better going with you. + +LIONNETTE. + +Impossible, I tell you. Go now; let me pass. + +RAOUL. + +No! + +LIONNETTE. + +You must, my child. + +NOURVADY (_very agitated and very impatient during this scene, walks +from right to left to see if any one is coming._) + +Some one is coming. + +LIONNETTE (_a little more harshly_). + +Now, now, let me go. + +RAOUL. + +No. (_He puts himself in front of his mother._) + +NOURVADY (_taking the child by the arm, and throwing him far from him_). + +Leave us alone, then! + +(_The child totters, falls, and remains motionless._ LIONNETTE _stops, +looks with stupor on what has passed, recoils, covers her face with her +hands, utters a piercing cry, and rushes at_ NOURVADY, _whom she seizes +by the throat as if to strangle him_.) + +LIONNETTE. + +Miserable wretch! + + NOURVADY (_whom she has struck on the shoulder, who feels himself + getting exhausted, but who will not defend himself, with a feeble + voice_). + +You are hurting me. + +LIONNETTE (_releasing him_). + +Go away; go away! I shall strangle you. I shall kill you. My child! My +child! + +(_She utters several cries, and throws herself in despair upon the +child._) + +RICHARD (_who has entered during this scene, to_ NOURVADY). + +Go away, sir, go away, in the name of heaven! Enough of such +misfortunes, without that. + +(_He makes_ NOURVADY _go away_.) + +RAOUL (_half raising himself up_). + +There is nothing the matter ... Mamma.... Nothing, I assure you. + +(LIONNETTE _on her knees, with_ RAOUL'S _head on her breast, kissing him +with rapture, sobbing without power to stop herself_). + +RICHARD (_near her_). + +Saved! You are saved! + +LIONNETTE (_with sobs, tremulously accentuating every word_). + +Yes, yes, yes, saved! (_To_ RICHARD.) 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. +(RICHARD _goes away_.) I want to see him before I die, for I am going to +die, I feel it. + +(_She lets her head fall upon the couch, and half loses consciousness._) + +RAOUL (_jumping upon the couch, taking his mother's head in his arms, +and kissing it._) + +Mamma, mamma, mamma ... do not die, I beseech you. + +LIONNETTE (_recovering consciousness_). + +No, no, I shall live, for I love you!... + +(_She covers him with kisses, and does not see_ JOHN, _who enters with_ +RICHARD, _who is showing him the scene_. JOHN _starts back, +comprehending nothing yet_. GODLER _and_ TREVELE _look on and rejoin_ +JOHN, _who cannot take his eyes off the picture of the mother and her +child_. RICHARD _touches_ LIONNETTE'S _shoulder, who turns round and +sees_ JOHN.) + + +SCENE V. + +LIONNETTE, JOHN, RAOUL, RICHARD, GODLER, TREVELE. + +LIONNETTE _to_ JOHN (_running to him and falling on her knees_). + +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? + +(_She throws herself again on her son's neck_). + +JOHN (_in the hands of_ GODLER _and_ TREVELE). + +My friends, my friends, I am losing my senses! + +GODLER. + +You can, indeed, boast of having a true woman as a wife! + +TREVELE (_touching him_). + +Go and kneel at her feet. + +(LIONNETTE _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_. JOHN _throws himself on his knees before her, and kisses +the hand she has free. She holds out the other to_ RICHARD.) + +LIONNETTE (_to_ RICHARD). + +It was just in time. + +RICHARD. + +Yes, the cry of a child! that is sufficient. When all is nearly lost, +God's way is all-powerful. + +JOHN. + +I believe in you, and I love you. + +LIONNETTE (_with a long sigh of joy_). + +Ah! how happy I am! + +GODLER (_wiping his eyes_). + +How foolish I am, at my age! + +TREVELE (_to_ GODLER, _wiping his eyes, and trying to conceal his +emotion_). + +Bring forward your lock of hair. + +CHATEAU DE SALNEUVE, _September_, 1880. + + +FINIS. + + + + + +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.txt or 37416.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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