SCENE FIRST
(Pauline's chamber.)
Gertrude and Pauline (the latter sleeping on a large armchair on the
left).
Gertrude (cautiously entering)
She is sleeping, and the doctor said that she would wake up at once.
Her slumber alarms me. This then is the girl that he is in love with.
I do not find her pretty at all. Oh, yes, after all, she is beautiful!
But how is it that men do not see that beauty is nothing but a
promise, and that love is the--(someone knocks). How is this; there
are people coming.
Vernon (outside)
May I come in, Pauline?
Gertrude
It is the doctor.
SCENE SECOND
The same persons and Vernon.
Gertrude
You told me that she would soon awake.
Vernon
Don't be alarmed. (Calling aloud) Pauline! Pauline!
Pauline (awakening)
O M. Vernon! Where am I? Ah! In my own room. What has happened to me?
Vernon
My child, you fell asleep while you were taking your tea. Madame de
Grandchamp feared as I did that this was the beginning of a sickness;
but it is no such thing. It is altogether, as it seems to me, the
consequence of a night without sleep.
Gertrude
And now, Pauline, how do you feel?
Pauline
I have been sleeping--and madame was here while I slept! (She starts
up; puts her hand upon her bosom.) Ah! It is outrageous! (To Vernon)
Doctor, can you have been an accomplice?
Gertrude
An accomplice in what? What were you going to say?
Vernon
I! my child! Could you suppose that I was the accomplice of an evil
action wrought against you, whom I love as if you were my daughter?
Don't speak of such a thing as that! But come, tell me?
Pauline
There is nothing, doctor, nothing to say!
Gertrude
Let me speak a few words to her.
Vernon (aside)
What possible motive can there be for a young child to keep silence,
when she is the victim of such an act of treachery as this?
Gertrude (in a low voice to Pauline)
So you see, Pauline, you didn't long keep in your possession the
proofs which you intended taking to your father in your ridiculous
accusation of me!
Pauline
I understand all; you gave me a narcotic in order to deprive me of
them.
Gertrude
We are equally inquisitive. I have done to you what you did to me in
Ferdinand's apartments.
Pauline
You are triumphant now, madame, but it will soon be my turn.
Gertrude
The war, then, is to continue?
Pauline
War, madame? Call it a duel! One or the other of us must go.
Gertrude
You are tragic.
Vernon (aside)
There appears to be no outbreak between them, nor the least
misunderstanding!--But stay, an idea strikes me; suppose I go and look
for Ferdinand?
(Vernon prepares to go out.)
Gertrude
Doctor!
Vernon
Madame?
Gertrude
We must have a talk together. (Whispering) I shall not leave you until
you have given me back--
Vernon
I stated to you the sole condition--
Pauline
Doctor!
Vernon (going to her)
My child?
Pauline
Are you aware that my sleep just now was not a natural one?
Vernon
Yes, you were put to sleep by your stepmother. I have proof of it. But
do you know the reason why?
Pauline
Oh! doctor, it is--
Gertrude
Doctor!
Pauline
Later on, I will tell you all.
Vernon
Already from each of them I have learned something of what lies
beneath. Ah! poor General!
Gertrude
I am waiting, doctor.
(Vernon bows and escorts Gertrude out.)
SCENE THIRD
Pauline (alone; she rings)
Yes, the only alternative left me is to flee with him; if we continue
this conflict, my stepmother and I, it can but result in my father's
dishonor. Would it not be better to disobey him? Then I will write to
him--I will be generous, because, my triumph over her will be
complete--I will let my father still believe in her, and will explain
my flight by attributing it to the hatred which he bears to the name
of Marcandal and to my love for Ferdinand.
SCENE FOURTH
Pauline and Marguerite.
Marguerite
Does mademoiselle feel well again?
Pauline
Yes, I am well enough in body; but in mind--Oh, I am in despair! My
poor Marguerite, unfortunate is the girl who has lost her mother--
Marguerite
And whose father has for his second wife such a woman as Madame de
Grandchamp. But tell me, mademoiselle, am I not to you a humble and
devoted mother? My affection for you as a nurse has grown in
proportion to the hate with which this stepmother regards you.
Pauline
Yes, Marguerite, you may believe it, but you delude yourself. Your
love can never be as great as her hatred.
Marguerite
Oh! mademoiselle! If you would only put me to the proof!
Pauline
Really?--Would you leave France for me?
Marguerite
To be with you, I would travel to the Indies.
Pauline
And would you start at once?
Marguerite
At once!--My baggage is not heavy.
Pauline
Well, Marguerite, we will start to-night, and secretly.
Marguerite
But why is this?
Pauline
You ask me why? Do you not know that Madame de Grandchamp put me to
sleep with opium?
Marguerite
I know it, mademoiselle, and Doctor Vernon knows it also, for Felix
told me that he put under lock and key your teacup.--But why did she
do it?
Pauline
Say not a word about it, if you love me! And if you are as devoted to
me as you profess to be, go to your room and gather together all that
you possess, so quietly that none shall suspect that you are preparing
for a journey. We will start after midnight. You must now take from me
here, and carry to your room, my jewels and all that I shall need for
a long journey. Use the utmost caution; for if my stepmother had the
least idea of what we are doing, I should be ruined.
Marguerite
Ruined!--But, mademoiselle, what is come over you? Think seriously
before you leave your home.
Pauline
Do you wish to see me die?
Marguerite
Die!--Oh, mademoiselle, I will at once obey your wishes.
Pauline
Marguerite, tell M. Ferdinand to bring me my year's allowance; bid him
come this moment.
Marguerite
He was under your windows when I came in.
Pauline (aside)
Under my windows!--doubtless he thought that he would never see me
again.--Poor Ferdinand!
(Exit Marguerite.)
SCENE FIFTH
Pauline (alone)
When I think of leaving my father's house, it at once comes home to me
that my father will seek me many a day, far and wide. With what
treasures love ought to repay me, for such sacrifices, for I abandon
to follow Ferdinand my country, my father, and my home! But at any
rate, this shameless woman will lose him without hope of restoration!
Moreover, I shall return! The doctor and M. Ramel will win for me
forgiveness from my father. I think I hear the step of Ferdinand!
--Yes, it is actually he!
SCENE SIXTH
Pauline and Ferdinand.
Pauline
Oh, my love, my Ferdinand!
Ferdinand
And I thought that I should never see you again! Marguerite, I see,
knows all.
Pauline
She knows nothing yet; but this night she shall learn of our flight,
for we shall be free; and you shall take your wife with you.
Ferdinand
Oh, Pauline, do not deceive me!
Pauline
I was making arrangements to rejoin you in your place of exile; but
this odious woman has hurried on my resolution. There is no merit in
what I am doing, it is a question of life and death to me.
Ferdinand
Of life and death! Tell me what has she been doing?
Pauline
She almost poisoned me; she drugged me, in order to take the letters I
carried about me! By what she has dared to do, in order to keep you
for herself, I judge what she yet may do. If therefore we wish to be
united, our only hope lies in flight. Therefore let us not say
farewell! This night we must find some refuge or other--But where?
That lies with you.
Ferdinand
Ah! These words,--how wild with joy they make me!
Pauline
Ferdinand! Take every precaution; hurry to Louviers, go to the house
of your friend, the prosecuting attorney; secure our passports, and a
carriage with fast horses. I fear that my father, urged on by this
stepmother, may try to overtake us! May he fail to do so; he would
kill us, for I am telling him in this letter the fatal secret of your
birth which compels me thus to leave him.
Ferdinand
Dismiss your fears. Eugene completed his preparations for my departure
yesterday. Here is the sum of money which your father owed me. (He
shows her a pocket-book.) Give me your receipt. (He puts down some
money on the table.) I have only to give in my balance sheet in order
to be free. We shall reach Rouen in three hours, and at Havre we shall
take an American ship. Eugene has sent a trusty man to secure me a
passage on board. The officers of the vessel will think it only
natural that a man should take his wife abroad with him, so we shall
meet with no obstacle--
SCENE SEVENTH
The same persons and Gertrude.
Gertrude
Excepting me.
Pauline
We are lost!
Gertrude
So you are going to start without telling me, Ferdinand? Oh, indeed!
But I have heard it all.
Ferdinand (to Pauline)
Mademoiselle, have the goodness to give me your receipt, it is
indispensable in completing the account which I must give to your
father before leaving. (To Gertrude) Madame, you may be able, perhaps,
to prevent mademoiselle from going away; but I can no longer remain
here, and I must absolutely start to-night.
Gertrude
You must stay here, and you shall stay here, sir!
Ferdinand
Against my will?
Gertrude
What mademoiselle wishes to do, I myself will do, and without fear. I
will make M. de Grandchamp come into this very room, and you will at
once see that he will compel you to leave, but--with me and my child.
(Felix appears.) Beg M. de Grandchamp to come here.
Ferdinand (to Pauline)
I see her object. Detain her here, while I overtake Felix, and prevent
him from speaking to the General! Eugene will tell you how you must
act after my departure. When once we have left this place, Gertrude
will be powerless to oppose us. (To Gertrude) Farewell, madame. You
lately made an attack on Pauline's life, and by this act have broken
the last ties that bound me to your friendship.
Gertrude
You have nothing but accusations for me! But you do not know what
mademoiselle intended telling her father concerning you and me.
Ferdinand
I love her, and will love her all my life; I shall be able to defend
her against you, and I prize her high enough to suffer banishment in
order to obtain her. Farewell.
Pauline
Dear, dear Ferdinand!
SCENE EIGHTH
Gertrude and Pauline.
Gertrude
Now that we are alone, do you know why I have summoned your father? It
is in order to tell him the name and family of Ferdinand.
Pauline
Madame, what are you going to do? My father, as soon as he learns that
the son of General Marcandal has won the love of his daughter, will
get to Havre as quickly as Ferdinand does. He will come up with him,
and then--
Gertrude
I would sooner see Ferdinand dead than united to any one but myself,
especially when I feel in my heart as much hatred for that other one
as I have love for him. Such is my final word in our mortal duel.
Pauline
Madame, I am now at your feet, as you but now were at mine. Let us
slay each other if you like, but let us not murder him! Let his life
be spared, though it be at the cost of mine!
Gertrude
Will you give him up?
Pauline
I will, madame.
Gertrude (she lets her handkerchief fall in the excitement of her
passionate speech)
You are deceiving me! You tell me this, because he loves you, because
he has already insulted me by avowing it, and because you believe that
he will not love me any longer. Now this will not do, Pauline, you
must give me some pledge of your sincerity.
Pauline (aside)
Her handkerchief! Ah! I see with it the key of her desk. It is there
that the poison is locked up! (Aloud) Did you say pledges of my
sincerity? I will give them to you. What do you demand?
Gertrude
Really, I do not care for more than one proof that you mean what you
say, and that is, that you should marry the other suitor.
Pauline
I will marry him.
Gertrude
And you must, at this very moment, plight your troth with him.
Pauline
Go to him yourself, madame, and tell him; and then come here with my
father, and--
Gertrude
And what?
Pauline
And I will give him my word; even though this be to give away my life.
Gertrude (aside)
In what a tone she uttered that. With what resolution! And without
tears--I feel sure she is keeping something back! (Aloud) And so you
are quite resigned to this?
Pauline
I am.
Gertrude (aside)
I hope she is. (To Pauline) If you are sincere--
Pauline
You are mendacity itself, and you always see a lie in other's
words--Oh! Leave me, madame, you make me shudder.
Gertrude (aside)
Well, she is candid at any rate. (Aloud) I am going to tell Ferdinand
of your resolution--(Pauline nods in acquiescence.) But he will not
believe me. Suppose you write a word to him?
Pauline
Yes, I will write to him, and tell him not to go away. (Sits down and
writes.) Here is the letter, madame.
Gertrude (reads)
"I am going to marry M. de Rimonville--so that you may remain here.
Pauline." (Aside) I do not quite understand this--I fear that there is
some trick in it. I am going to let him leave; he will learn of the
marriage when he is far away from this.
(Exit Gertrude.)
SCENE NINTH
Pauline (alone)
Ferdinand is utterly lost to me now--I have always expected it; the
world is either a paradise or a prison cell; and I, a young girl, have
dreamed only of the paradise. But anyway I have the key of the desk,
and I can return it after having taken out something which may serve
to put an end to this terrible situation. Yes, that is what I will do!
SCENE TENTH
Pauline and Marguerite.
Marguerite
Mademoiselle, my trunks are all packed. I am now going to begin
packing here.
Pauline
Yes. (Aside) It is best to let her do so. (Aloud) Come here,
Marguerite, take this gold and conceal it among your things.
Marguerite
You are sure that your reasons for starting away are very urgent?
Pauline
My poor Marguerite, who knows whether I shall be able to get away! But
come, go on with your work.
(Exit Pauline.)
SCENE ELEVENTH
Marguerite (alone)
And to think that I believed this fury was unwilling that mademoiselle
should marry! Is it possible that mademoiselle should have concealed
from me that her real love was being opposed? Yet her father is so
good to her! He leaves her free to choose--Suppose I were to speak to
the General--Oh! no, I would not run the risk of injuring my child.
SCENE TWELFTH
Marguerite and Pauline.
Pauline
No one has seen me. Listen, Marguerite, first of all, take away the
money that I gave you, and then let me think about the resolution
which I have taken.
Marguerite
If I were in your place, mademoiselle, I would tell everything to the
General.
Pauline
To my father? Unhappy woman, do not betray me! And let both of us
respect the illusions, in the midst of which he lives.
Marguerite
Ah! Illusions! That is the very word.
Pauline
You may leave me now.
(Exit Marguerite.)
SCENE THIRTEENTH
Pauline, then Vernon.
Pauline (holding in her hand the parcel of poison, which was shown in
the first act)
Here stands death before me! The doctor told us yesterday, in
reference to Champagne's wife, that this terrible substance required
some hours, almost a whole night, to produce its deadly effects, and
that it was possible, during the first hours, to nullify these
effects; if the doctor remains at the house, he will provide this
antidote.
(Some one knocks.)
Vernon (from without)
It is I.
Pauline
Come in, doctor! (Aside) Curiosity brings him to see me, curiosity
will take him away.
Vernon
I see, my child, that between you and your stepmother, there are
secrets of life and death?
Pauline
Yes, and, above all, death.
Vernon
I was afraid so! And that, of course, I must attend to. But tell
me--You must have had some terrible quarrel with your stepmother.
Pauline
Let me hear no more of that creature. She deceives my father.
Vernon
I know it.
Pauline
She never loved him.
Vernon
I was quite sure of that!
Pauline
She has sworn to ruin me.
Vernon
How? Is it in an affair of your heart that she wishes to do you harm?
Pauline
Rather say, it is my life she threatens.
Vernon
What a horrible suspicion! Pauline, my child, I love you well, you
know I do. Tell me, can nothing save you?
Pauline
In order to change my fate, it would be necessary that my father
change his ideas. Listen; I am in love with M. Ferdinand.
Vernon
I already know that. But who would hinder you from marrying him?
Pauline
Can you keep a secret? Well, he is the son of General Marcandal!
Vernon
My God! You may rely on my keeping that secret! Why, your father would
fight with him to the death, if for nothing else, because he has had
him under his roof for three years.
Pauline
You will then see very plainly that there is no hope for me.
(Pauline sinks back overwhelmed with emotion in an armchair.)
Vernon
Poor child! I fear she is going to faint. (He rings and calls)
Marguerite! Marguerite!
SCENE FOURTEENTH
The same persons, Gertrude, Marguerite and the General.
Marguerite (running in)
What is it, sir?
Vernon
Get me a tea-urn of boiling water, into which you must drop some
orange leaves.
(Exit Marguerite.)
Gertrude
What is the matter with you, Pauline?
The General
Dear child, do tell us?
Gertrude
Oh, it is nothing! We can understand her feelings. It is because she
sees her lot in life decided--
Vernon (to the General)
Her lot decided? And in what way?
The General
She is going to marry Godard! (Aside) It seems to me as if she were
giving up some love affair of which she did not wish to tell me. As
far as I can understand from what my wife has told me, the unknown one
is ineligible, and Pauline did not discover his unworthiness until
yesterday.
Vernon
And you believe this? Do not precipitate matters, General. We will
talk it over this evening. (Aside) Before then I am going to have a
few words with Madame de Grandchamp.
Pauline (to Gertrude)
The doctor knows all!
Gertrude
Ah!
Pauline (she puts back into the pocket of Gertrude the handkerchief
and the key, while the latter is looking at Vernon, who converses with
the General)
Keep him away, for he is capable of telling all he knows to the
General. We must at least protect Ferdinand.
Gertrude (aside)
She is right. (Aloud) Doctor, I have just been informed that Francis,
one of our best workmen, is sick; he hasn't appeared this morning, and
you might go and visit him.
The General
Francis? Oh! Vernon, you had better go and see him--
Vernon
Doesn't he live at Pre-l'Eveque? (Aside) More than three leagues away.
The General
Are you alarmed about Pauline?
Vernon
It is simply an attack of nerves.
Gertrude
I can take your place here, doctor, if that is so, can't I?
Vernon
Yes. (To the General) I'll undertake to say that Francis is about as
sick as I am! The fact of it is, I see rather too much and my presence
is not desired--
The General (in a rage)
What are you talking about? To whom do you refer?
Vernon
Are you going to fly into a passion again? Do calm yourself, my old
friend, or you will cause yourself eternal remorse.
The General
Remorse?
Vernon
Just keep these people talking, till I return.
The General
But--
Gertrude (to Pauline)
Tell me, how do you feel now, my sweet angel?
The General
Just look at them.
Vernon
Ah! Well, women stab each other with a smile and a kiss.
SCENE FIFTEENTH
The same persons (except Vernon) and Marguerite.
Gertrude (to the General, who seems as if he were bewildered by the
last words of Vernon)
What is the matter with you?
The General (passing before Gertrude to the side of Pauline)
Nothing, nothing! Tell me, my little Pauline, is your engagement with
Godard to be quite voluntary?
Pauline
Quite voluntary.
Gertrude (aside)
Ah!
The General
He will be here soon.
Pauline
I am expecting him.
The General (aside)
There is a tremendous amount of bitterness in her tone.
(Marguerite appears with a tea-cup.)
Gertrude
It is too soon, Marguerite, the infusion can't yet be strong enough!
(She tastes it.) I must go and prepare it myself.
Marguerite
I have always been in the habit of waiting upon Mlle. Pauline.
Gertrude
What do you mean by speaking to me in this tone?
Marguerite
But--madame--
The General
Marguerite, if you say another word, we shall fall out.
Pauline
Marguerite, you may just as well let Madame de Grandchamp have her
way.
(Gertrude goes out with Marguerite.)
The General
And so my little girl has not much confidence in the father who loves
her so? Come now! Tell me why you so distinctly refused Godard
yesterday, and yet, accept him to-day?
Pauline
I suppose it is a young girl's whim.
The General
Are you in love with anybody else?
Pauline
It is because I am not in love with anybody else that I consent to
marry your friend M. Godard!
(Gertrude comes in with Marguerite.)
The General
Ah!
Gertrude
Take this, my darling, but be careful, for it is a little hot.
Pauline
Thank you, mother!
The General
Mother! Truly, this is enough to drive one crazy with perplexity!
Pauline
Marguerite, bring me the sugar basin!
(While Marguerite goes out and Gertrude talks with the General,
Pauline drops the poison into the cup and lets fall the paper which
contained it.)
Gertrude (to the General)
You seem to be indisposed?
The General
My dear, I cannot understand women; I am like Godard.
(Marguerite comes back.)
Gertrude
You are like all other men.
Pauline (hurriedly drinking the poisoned cup)
Ah!
Gertrude
How are you now, my child?
Pauline
I am better.
Gertrude
I am going to prepare another cup for you.
Pauline
Oh, no, madame, this will be quite enough! I would sooner wait for the
doctor.
(Pauline sets down the empty cup on the table.)
SCENE SIXTEENTH
The same persons and Felix, then Godard.
Felix (looking inquiringly at Pauline)
M. Godard asks if you will see him?
Pauline
Certainly.
Gertrude (leaving the room)
What do you intend saying to him.
Pauline
Wait and see.
Godard (entering)
I am sorry that mademoiselle is indisposed. I did not know it. I will
not intrude. (They offer him a chair.) Mademoiselle, allow me to thank
you above all for the kindness you have shown in receiving me in this
sanctuary of innocence. Madame de Grandchamp and your father have just
informed me of something which would have overwhelmed me with
happiness yesterday, but rather astonishes me to-day.
The General
That is to say, M. Godard--
Pauline
Do not be hasty, father, M. Godard is right. You do not know all I
said to him yesterday.
Godard
You are far too clever, mademoiselle, not to consider as quite natural
the curiosity of an honorable young man, who has an income of forty
thousand francs, besides his savings, to learn of the reason why he
should be accepted after a lapse of twenty-four hours from his
rejection--For, yesterday, it was at this very hour--(He pulls out his
watch) Half-past five--
The General
What do you mean by all this? It looks as if you are not as much in
love as you said you were. You have come here to complain of a
charming girl at the very moment when she has told you--
Godard
I would not complain, if the subject were not marriage. Marriage,
General, is at once the cause and the effect of sentiment.
The General
Pardon me, Godard, I am a little hasty, as you know.
Pauline (to Godard)
Sir--(Aside) Oh, how I suffer! (Aloud) Sir, why should poor young
girls--
Godard
Poor? No, no, mademoiselle; you are not poor. You have four hundred
thousand francs.
Pauline
Why should weak young girls--
Godard
Weak?
Pauline
Well, then, innocent young persons--be so very fastidious about the
character of the man who presents himself as their lord and master? If
you love me, will you punish yourself--will you punish me--because
your love has been submitted to a test?
Godard
Of course, from that point of view--
The General
Oh! These women! These women!
Godard
You may just as well say, "These daughters."
The General
Yes, for I am quite sure that mine has more brains than I have.
SCENE SEVENTEENTH
The same persons, Gertrude and then Napoleon.
Gertrude
How has it turned out, M. Godard?
Godard
Ah, Madame! General! My happiness is complete, and my dream fulfilled.
For now I am to be admitted into a family like yours. To think that I
--Ah! Madame! General! (Aside) I'd like to find out the mystery, for
she has precious little love for me.
Napoleon (entering)
Papa, I have won the school medal--Good-day, mamma--and where is
Pauline? And so you are sick? Poor little sister! I'll tell you
something--I have found out where justice comes from.
Gertrude
And who told you? Ah! see what a lovely boy he is!
Napoleon
The master told me that justice comes from God.
Godard
It is very plain that your master was not born in Normandy.
Pauline (in a low voice to Marguerite)
O Marguerite! Dear Marguerite! Do send them all away.
Marguerite
Gentlemen, Mlle. Pauline desires to take a little nap.
The General
Just so, Pauline, we will leave you, and you need not get up till
dinner time.
Pauline
I will certainly get up then if I can. Father, kiss me before you go.
The General (kissing her)
My darling child! (To Napoleon) Come, my boy.
(They all go out, except Pauline, Marguerite and Napoleon.)
Napoleon (to Pauline)
And how is it you do not kiss me? Tell me what ails you?
Pauline
Oh! I am dying!
Napoleon
Do people die? Pauline, what is death made of?
Pauline
Death--is made--like this--
(Pauline falls back into Marguerite's arms.)
Marguerite
Oh! My God! Help! Help!
Napoleon
Oh! Pauline, you frighten me! (Running away.) Mamma! Mamma!
Curtain to the Fourth Act.