[These scenes, the final ones of the drama, occur in the
private drawing-room of Catherine, the young Duchess of
Septmonts. Mr. Clarkson, a wealthy American man of business,
a Californian, has just received a note from the Duke of
Septmonts, a blase young roue of high family, requesting him
to call at once. He has come, in some bewilderment, to find
the duke. Mr. Clarkson has only a formal acquaintance with
the duke, but Mrs. Clarkson, who resides much of the time in
Paris, acting as Mr. Clarkson's business representative,
knows the duke confidentially. The Duchess of Septmonts
receives Clarkson.]
_Mr. Clarkson_--I beg your pardon, madam, for having insisted on
making my way in here; but a few moments ago I found on returning to
my house, a letter from your husband. It asked me for a rendezvous as
soon as possible, without giving me a reason for it. I find M. de
Septmonts not at home. May I ask you if you know how I can be of
service to him?
_Catherine_--I was under the impression that in his letter, M. de
Septmonts explained to you the matter in which he wishes your
assistance.
_Clarkson_--No.
_Catherine_--Did not his letter contain another letter, sealed, which
he purposed leaving in your hands?
_Clarkson_--No.
_Catherine_--Are you really telling me the truth?
_Clarkson_--I never lie, madam: I have too much business on my hands;
it would mix me up quite too much in my affairs.
_Catherine_--Then perhaps it is to Mrs. Clarkson that my husband has
intrusted that letter.
_Clarkson_--No. She would have mentioned it; for I told her that I had
received a line from the Duke, and was on my way to this house.
_Catherine_--Perhaps your wife did not tell you--all.
_Clarkson_--She has no earthly reason to conceal anything from me!
_Catherine_--True! I know very well that she is your wife only in
name; she told me as much when I was at her house yesterday.
_Clarkson_--Really! She must be very much pleased with you, for she
does not talk readily about her personal affairs.
_Catherine_--Unfortunately, it is quite otherwise as far as I am
concerned; she has not hidden from me the fact that she detests me,
and that she will do me all the injury she possibly can.
_Clarkson_--You? Injury? For what reason? Pray, what have you done to
her?
_Catherine_--Nothing! I have known her only two days. Nevertheless--
_Clarkson_--Nevertheless--
_Catherine_--What I was going to say is not my secret, sir, it is
hers, and she alone has the right to tell it to you. But as to this
letter that my husband has told my father he has sent to you--it is I
who wrote that letter. You may as well know, too, that it was
abstracted from my possession; and moreover, that with that letter any
one can indeed do me all the mischief with which your wife, Mrs.
Clarkson, has threatened me.
_Clarkson_ [_very gravely_]--Then we must know at once if my wife has
that letter. I will write her to come here immediately and join
us--that I have something very important to communicate to her--here.
Are you willing to have her come? [_He writes while he speaks._]
_Catherine_--Certainly.
_Clarkson_--Then we can have a general explanation. You may be sure,
madam, that I shall never lend my hand to anything that means harm to
you, or to any woman: I come from the country where we respect women.
_Catherine_ [_rings the bell, and says to a servant who answers
it_]--See that this letter is sent immediately. Be careful that it
does not go astray. It is not my letter. This gentleman has written
it. [_Exit servant._]
_Clarkson_--And now, madam, do you know why M. de Septmonts wishes to
have an interview with me?
_Catherine_--Yes, I can guess. It concerns me, perhaps; but I have no
right to discuss the matter. It is something which belongs to the
Duke, and he alone has the right to impart it to you. All I can do is
to beg of you to have all details thoroughly explained to you, and to
look into them very carefully.
_A_ Servant _enters_
_Servant_--M. le Duc has come in; he will be glad to have Mr. Clarkson
come to him.
_Clarkson_--Very good. [_Going_.] I bid you good evening, madam.
_Catherine_ [_to the servant_]--Wait a moment. [_Going to Clarkson and
speaking in a low voice._] Suppose I were to ask you a very great
service.
_Clarkson_--Ask it, madam.
_Catherine_--Suppose I were to ask you to say to my husband that you
are waiting for him here in this drawing-room--that you will be glad
to speak with him _here_.
_Clarkson_--Nothing but that? With great pleasure. [_To the servant._]
Say to M. de Septmonts that I shall be obliged if he will join
me--here. [_Servant goes out._]
_Catherine_--I shall leave you; for if I know what is going to be
discussed in this interview, I neither could nor should take part in
it; but whatever may come of it, I shall never forget that you have
done everything that you could do as a courtesy to me,--and that you
are a gentleman. [_Exit Catherine._]
_Clarkson_ [_alone_]--Charming! She is charming, that little woman;
but may I be hanged if I understand one word of what is going on here.
The Duke of Septmonts _comes in hastily, and advances to_
Clarkson.
_Septmonts_--I have just come from your house, Mr. Clarkson. Mrs.
Clarkson told me you were here. I returned at once. Pardon me for
troubling you. If when I came in I asked you to come to my own
drawing-room, and have thus troubled you once more, it is because I
was told you were expecting me here, with the duchess. This is her
private parlor; and as what we have to say is a matter for men--
_Clarkson_--Therefore the duchess went to her own room when your
return here was announced.
_Septmonts_--Mr. Clarkson, did _she_ tell the servant that you would
prefer to hold our conversation here?
_Clarkson_--No, I told him.
[_Septmonts goes to the door of the room by which Catherine
went out, and closes the portiere._]
_Clarkson_ [_in a scornful aside_]--What an amount of mystery and
precaution!
_Septmonts_--The matter is this, Mr. Clarkson. I must fight a duel
to-morrow morning. This duel can terminate only in the death of one or
other of the contestants. I am the insulted one, therefore I have the
choice of weapons. I choose the sword.
_Clarkson_--Do you fence well?
_Septmonts_--I believe I am one of the best fencers in Paris. But
another friend on whom I could count is one of those men of the world
who discuss all the details of an affair, and with whom the
preliminaries of such a meeting might last several days. I want to get
through with the matter at once.
_Clarkson_--Ah! The fact is, you _do_ give an importance and a
solemnity to such things in France that we don't understand, we
Americans, who settle the question in five minutes on the first corner
of the street, in the sight of everybody.
_Septmonts_--That is just the reason that I allowed myself to apply to
you, Mr. Clarkson. Now, are you disposed to be present as my second?
_Clarkson_--Bless me, with all my heart! Besides, when I mentioned
your letter to Mrs. Clarkson she told me to do all I could to serve
you. Have you and my wife known each other long?
_Septmonts_--About four years; and I owe your wife a great deal,
morally speaking. I have no desire to conceal the fact. I was not yet
married when I met Mrs. Clarkson. One day I had lost a large sum at
play,--a hundred and fifty thousand francs,--which I did not have, and
tried in vain to procure; for at that time I was completely ruined.
Mrs. Clarkson very generously lent me the sum, and I repaid it, with
interest equivalent to the capital.
_Clarkson_--But as you were ruined, duke, how could you pay this large
capital and this large interest? Did your father or mother die? In
France the death of parents is a great resource, I know.
_Septmonts_--No. I was an orphan, and I had no expectations. I
married.
_Clarkson_--Ah, true! You French people make much of marriages for
money! It's a great advantage over us Americans, who only marry for
love. Now with us, in such a case as yours, a man goes into some
business or other; he goes to mining; he works. But every country has
its own customs. I beg your pardon for interrupting you. After all, it
doesn't concern me. Come back to our duel.
_Septmonts_--I have a letter here in my hands--
_Clarkson_--Ah! You have a letter in your hands--
_Septmonts_--A letter which compromises my wife--
_Clarkson_--Ah! I am completely at your service. I belong to the sort
of men who do not admit any compromises in matters of that kind.
_Septmonts_--I may be killed--one has to look ahead. If I lose my
life, I lose it by having been so injured by my wife that I intend to
be revenged on her.
_Clarkson_--And how?
_Septmonts_--I wish that the contents of this letter, which I have in
my possession, shall become public property if I am killed.
_Clarkson_ [_coldly_]--Ah! And how can I serve you as to that?
_Septmonts_--I will intrust this sealed letter to you. [_He takes the
letter from his pocket._] Here it is.
_Clarkson_ [_still more coldly_]--Very well.
_Septmonts_--Now, if I survive, you will restore it to me as it is. If
not, then in the trial which will follow, you will read it in a court.
I wish the letters to become public. Then it will be known that I
avenged my honor under a feigned pretext; and M. Gerard and the
duchess will be so situated that they will never be able to see each
other again.
_Clarkson_--Nonsense! Once dead, what does it matter to you?
_Septmonts_--I am firm there. Will you kindly accept the commission?
_Clarkson_ [_in a formal tone_]--Surely.
_Septmonts_--Here is the letter.
_Clarkson_ [_takes it and holds it as he speaks_]--But, duke, now that
I think about it, when this trial occurs it is probable, even certain,
that I shall not be in France. I was expecting to leave Paris on
business to-morrow morning at the latest. I can wait until to-morrow
evening to please you, and to help you with this duel of yours; but
that is really all the time I can spare.
_Septmonts_--Very well; then you will have the goodness to give this
letter to Mrs. Clarkson with the instructions I have just given you,
and it will be in equally good hands.
_Clarkson_ [_looking at the letter_]--All right. A blank envelope.
What is there to indicate that this letter was addressed to M. Gerard?
_Septmonts_--The envelope with his name on it is inside.
_Clarkson_--You found this letter?
_Septmonts_--I found it--before it was mailed.
_Clarkson_--And as you had your suspicions you--opened it?
_Septmonts_--Yes.
_Clarkson_--I beg your pardon for questioning you so, but you yourself
did me the honor to say that you wished me to be _fully_ informed. Do
you know whether the sentiments between M. Gerard and the duchess were
of long standing?
_Septmonts_--They date from before my marriage.
_Clarkson_ [_looking toward the apartment of the duchess_]--Oh, I see.
That is serious!
_Septmonts_--They loved each other, they wanted to marry each other,
but my wife's father would not consent.
_Clarkson_ [_reflectively_]--M. Gerard wanted to marry her, did he?
_Septmonts_--Yes; but when he learned that Mademoiselle Mauriceau was
a millionaire, as he had nothing and had no title other than his plain
name Gerard, he withdrew his pretensions.
_Clarkson_--That was a very proper thing for the young man to do. It
doesn't surprise me!
_Septmonts_--Yes; but now, Mr. Clarkson, this young gentleman has come
back--
_Clarkson_--And is too intimate a friend to your wife?
_Septmonts_--Ah, I do not say that!
_Clarkson_--What do you say, then?
_Septmonts_--That as the letter in question gives that impression, the
situation amounts to the same thing as far as a legal process is
concerned.
_Clarkson_ [_thoughtfully and coldly_]--Oh-h-h!
_Septmonts_--Don't you agree with me, Mr. Clarkson?
_Clarkson_--No, not at all. I can understand revenge on those who have
injured us, but not on those who haven't done so. And I don't like
vengeance on a woman anyway, even when she is guilty; and certainly
not when she is innocent; and you owe your wife a great deal--between
ourselves, you owe your wife a great deal, duke. I understand now why,
for once, your father-in-law M. Mauriceau sides with his daughter and
M. Gerard against you. He is sure they both are innocent. By-the-by,
does M. Mauriceau also know of this letter?
_Septmonts_--Yes. He even tried to take it from me by force.
_Clarkson_--Why did he not take it?
_Septmonts_--Ah, because you see, I had the presence of mind to tell
him that I did not have it any longer--that I had sent it to you!
_Clarkson_ [_ironically_]--That _was_ very clever!
_Septmonts_--And then when M. Gerard had challenged me, M. Mauriceau
thought he would make an impression by saying to him before me, "I
will be your second."
_Clarkson_--Well, is that the whole story?
_Septmonts_--Yes.
_Clarkson_--Very well, my dear sir: to speak frankly, all those people
whom you characterize so slightingly seem to me the right kind of
people--excellent people. Your little wife seems to be the victim of
prejudices, of morals, and of combinations about which we mere
American savages don't know anything at all. In our American society,
which of course I can't compare with yours, as we only date from
yesterday,--if Mademoiselle Mauriceau had loved a fine young fellow
like M. Gerard, her father would have given her to the man she loved;
or if he had refused that, why she would have gone quite simply and
been married before the justice of the peace! Perhaps her father
wouldn't have portioned her; but then the husband would have worked,
gone into business, and the two young people would have been happy all
the same. As to your M. Gerard here, he is an honest man and a clever
one. We like people who work, we Americans, and to whatever country
they belong, we hold them as compatriots--because we are such savages,
I suppose. So you understand that I don't at all share your opinion of
this question.
_Septmonts_--And so speaking, you mean--?
_Clarkson_--That if I give you this explanation, it is because I think
I understand that in paying me the honor of choosing me as a second,
you thought that the men of my country were less clear-sighted, less
scrupulous than the men of yours. In short, duke, you thought I would
lend my hand to all these social pettinesses, these little vilenesses
which you have just recounted with a candor that honors you.
_Septmonts_--Do you happen to remember, Mr. Clarkson, that you are
talking to _me_--in this way?
_Clarkson_--To you. Because there are only two of us here! But if you
like, we will call in other people to listen.
_Septmonts_--Then, sir, you tell me to my face--
_Clarkson_--I tell you to your face that to squander your
inheritance--to have gambled away money you did not have--to borrow it
from a woman without knowing when or how you could return it--to marry
in order to pay your debts and continue your dissipations--to revenge
yourself now on an innocent woman--to steal letters--to misapply your
skill in arms by killing a brave man--why, I tell you to your face
that all that is the work of a rascal, and that therefore a rascal you
are. Oh, what astonishes me is that fifty people haven't told you so
already, and that I have had to travel three thousand leagues to
inform you on the subject! For you don't seem to have ever suspected
it, and you don't look thoroughly convinced even now.
_Septmonts_ [_controlling himself with the greatest difficulty_]--Mr.
Clarkson, you know that I cannot call you to account until I have
settled with your friend M. Gerard. You take a strange advantage of
the fact, sir. But we shall meet again. Please return me the paper you
have had from me.
_Clarkson_--Your wife's letter? Never in the world! As it was
addressed to M. Gerard, it belongs to M. Gerard. I intend to give it
to M. Gerard. If _he_ wants to return it to you, I won't stand in the
way; but I doubt whether he will return it.
_Septmonts_--You will fight me, then, you mean?
_Clarkson_--Oh! as for that; yes, fight as much as you like.
_Septmonts_--Very well; when I have finished with the other, you and I
will have our business together.
_Clarkson_--Say the day after to-morrow, then?
_Septmonts_--The day after to-morrow.
_Clarkson_--Stop; I must start off by to-morrow night, at the latest.
_Septmonts_--You can wait. And while waiting, leave me!
_Clarkson_--Duke, do I look like a man to whom to say "leave" in that
tone, and who goes? Now look at me; it isn't hard to see what I have
decided. I don't mean you to fight with Gerard before you have fought
with me. If Gerard kills you, I shan't have the pleasure of crossing
swords with "one of the first fencers in Paris," which it will amuse
me to do. If you kill him, you cause irreparable misfortunes. If you
think I'm going to let you kill a man who has saved me twenty-five per
cent. in the cost of washing gold, you are mistaken! Come, prove you
are brave, even when you aren't sure of being the stronger! Go and get
a good pair of swords from your room (since the sword is your favorite
weapon--mine, too, for the matter of that), and follow me to those
great bare grounds back of your house. On my way here I was wondering
why in goodness's name they were not utilized. In the heart of the
city they must be worth a good deal! We will prove it. As for seconds,
umpires of the point of honor, we'll have the people who pass by in
the street--if any do pass.
[_Septmonts rushes in a fury toward the door, but when there
stretches his hand toward the bell. Clarkson throws himself
between him and the bell._]
_Clarkson_--Ah! no ringing, please! Don't play the Louis XV.
gentleman, and order your servants to cudgel a poor beggar! or as sure
as my name is Clarkson, I'll slap your face, sir, before all your
lackeys!
_Septmonts_--Very well, so be it! I _will_ begin with you. [_Angrily
hastens from the room for the weapons._]
_Clarkson_--Quite right! [_Looking coolly at his watch._] Let me see;
why, perhaps I _can_ get away from Paris this evening after all. [_He
goes calmly out at the back toward the darkened garden._]
[_The Duchess of Septmonts has pulled aside the portiere and
looks toward the door by which her husband and Mr. Clarkson
have gone out. She is very much agitated, and can hardly
walk. She rings the bell, and then makes an effort to appear
calm. The servant comes in._]
_Catherine_ [_tremulously, to the servant_]--Ask my father to come
here, immediately. [_The servant goes out. Catherine looks toward the
window and makes a movement to go to it._] No, I will not look out! I
will not know anything! I do not know anything; I have _heard_
nothing; the minutes that that hand marks upon the clock, no one knows
what they say to me. One of them will decide my life! Even if I had
heard nothing, things would take the turn that they have, and I should
merely be amazed in knowing of them. Instead of knowing nothing, I
have merely to remember nothing. But no, no,--I am trying in vain to
smother the voice of my own conscience! What I am doing is wicked.
From the moment that I have known anything about this, I am an
accomplice; and if one of these two men is killed he has been killed
with my consent. No, I cannot and I will not. [_She runs toward the
door. As she does so Mrs. Clarkson enters hastily._] You, you, madam!
_Mrs. Clarkson_--Were you not really expecting me to-day, madam? My
husband sends me a note to say that you--and he--wish to speak to me
immediately.
_Catherine_--Madam, since Mr. Clarkson has written you, there has
occurred a thing which neither your husband, nor I, nor you yourself
could foresee.
_Mrs. Clarkson_--What do you mean?
_Catherine_--While my husband the duke has been explaining to Mr.
Clarkson the reasons of the duel,--which you, you, madam, have
provoked,--your husband, who did not find these reasons either
sufficient or honorable, has undertaken to defend us--Gerard, yes,
Gerard, and me,--and so very forcibly, that at this instant--
_Mrs. Clarkson_--They are fighting?
_Catherine_--Yes, yes, only a few steps away from here!
_Mrs. Clarkson_--Ah! That sounds like Clarkson! [_She takes a step
toward the door._]
_Catherine_--Madam, that duel must not go on.
_Mrs. Clarkson_--Why not?
_Catherine_--I will not permit these two men to lose their lives on my
account.
_Mrs. Clarkson_--You? What difference does it make to you? They are
not doing anything but what they chose to do. "Hands off," as the
officials at the gaming-tables say when the ball has stopped rolling.
You have wished to be free, haven't you? and you are perfectly right;
you never said so to anybody, but you begged it all the same of One
who can do anything. He has heard your prayer, and he has made use of
me to save you; of me, who have been anxious to destroy you! That is
justice; and do you think that I object--I who am to be the loser? In
the game that I play with Destiny, every time I make up my mind that
God is against me, I bow my head and throw up the game. I don't fear
any one except God. He is on your side. Let us talk no more about it.
[_Just as she is speaking the last words, Clarkson comes in.
He is very grave._]
_Mrs. Clarkson_--See there. You are a widow.
_Clarkson_ [_to Mrs. Clarkson_]--My dear Noemi, will you be so kind as
to hand that paper to our friend the duchess. She will perhaps feel
some embarrassment in taking it directly from my hand--and it is a
thing that must be returned to her. Such was the last wish of her
husband; he really did not have time to tell me as much, but I fancy
that I guess it right.
[_Mrs. Clarkson calmly takes the letter and goes to
Catherine._]
_Mrs. Clarkson_--I once said to your friend M. Remonin that if I lost
my game I would lose like one who plays fair. Madam, it was through me
that your marriage came to pass; and now it is through me that your
marriage--is dissolved. [_Turning to Clarkson._] And now, Clarkson, my
dear, let us get out of this. You are a good and a brave fellow. I
will go anywhere with you. I have had enough of Europe--things here
are too small. Do you know, I really believe I am going to find myself
in love with you! Come, let us go! I am positively smothering.
_Clarkson_--Yes, let us go.
[_At the moment that Mr. and Mrs. Clarkson are going out,
servants and police officials, accompanied by a commissioner
of the police service, appear in the door. Clarkson is
pointed out._]
_Commissioner_--I beg your pardon, monsieur,--there seems to have
been--a murder here.
_Clarkson_--Oh no, monsieur, not at all a murder--only a duel.
_Commissioner_--And am I to understand, monsieur, that it is you who--
_Clarkson_--Oh yes, monsieur, it is I. You have come to take me into
custody?
_Commissioner_--Yes, monsieur.
_Clarkson_--What a ridiculous country! I am ready to follow you,
monsieur. But I am an American citizen. I shall give you bail--but of
course, the law before anything....
_Mrs. Clarkson_--Reckon on me, Clarkson. _I_ shall take charge of this
matter.
_Clarkson_--How are you going to do that?
_Mrs. Clarkson_--Oh, that's my affair.
[_Mrs. Clarkson crosses the stage and whispers a word to the
commissioner. The commissioner bows very respectfully. Mrs.
Clarkson goes out._]
_Commissioner_ [_to Dr. Remonin_]--You are a doctor, monsieur?
_Remonin_--Yes, monsieur.
_Commissioner_--Will you have the goodness to give a certificate of
death?
_Remonin_ [_significantly_]--With great pleasure!
Translated for 'A Library of the World's Best Literature,' by
E. Irenaeus Stevenson