_Handsomely furnished Room in Chateau Laroque--Doors R. and L.,
and U.--Candles lit._
_DE BEVANNES, MAD. LAROQUE, MAD. AUBREY, ALAIN, MLLE HELOUIN
discovered--MAD. LAROQUE is walking about in much agitation._
_Mad. L._ [_To ALAIN._] You say she went out on horseback?
_Alain._ Yes, Madame.
_Mad. L._ Did she say at what hour she would be back.
_Alain._ No, Madame.
_Bev._ Did she not tell you she would be early in the ball-room this
evening?
_Mad. L._ She did; and that only makes me the more apprehensive. This
anxiety is torture.
_Bev._ Be assured, Madame, she is safe. You know she is often out late
on fine evenings.
_Mad. L._ But never after dark. Can nobody even tell which way she went?
_Mlle H._ There is one person, I think, might give us some information.
_Mad. L._ Oh! who? Why did you not say so before?
_Mlle H._ I have no doubt M. Manuel could enlighten us, if he chose.
_Mad. L._ Monsieur Manuel! what should _he_ know about it?
_Bev._ Exactly. I do not clearly perceive why the steward must be better
informed of the young lady's movements, than her mother.
_Mlle H._ Nor I. Yet I think it would be worth while to ask him.
_Mad. L._ Alain, ask Monsieur Manuel, if he will be so good as to come
to me, at once.
_Alain._ Monsieur Manuel has also gone out on horseback, Madame, and has
not yet returned.
_Mlle H._ Ahem!
_Mad. A._ Ah, ha!
_Bev._ And pray, at what time did he go out?
_Alain._ Just before Mademoiselle Marguerite, sir. [_A pause._
_Mad. L._ You are all marvellously silent! What do you imagine? what do
you infer? Speak, if you would not drive me mad! Still silent! [_To MLLE
HELOUIN._] Mademoiselle, your looks convey some hidden meaning. [_To
MAD. AUBREY._] Cousin.
_Mad. A._ Oh! [_Weeps._
_Mad. L._ What's the use of that, Madame? speak out. I always knew you
were a fool--don't make me think you are a complete idiot! Bevannes,
_what_ does all this mean?
_Bev._ Alain.
_Alain._ Sir?
_Bev._ Did Mademoiselle go out alone?
_Alain._ No, sir; with the Doctor.
_Mad. L._ Ah! then all is well.
_Bev._ Humph!
_Mad. L._ Bevannes, what _do_ you mean? will you explain or not?
_Mlle H._ Madame, your generous nature and partiality for the steward,
has somewhat blinded your judgment; those who love you have been more
watchful. This Monsieur Manuel is--
_Enter MANUEL--His dress disordered--His face pale, with slight
marks of blood upon his forehead._
_Man._ Here, Madame, you did me the honor to send for me.
_Mlle H._ You have just returned, sir?
_Man._ This moment--I met Alain on the stair.
_Mad. L._ But you are hurt, Monsieur--there's blood upon your forehead.
_Man._ Nothing of importance, I assure you; the horse fell with me, and
got a few scratches--nothing more--a little cold water will set all to
right.
_Mad. L._ This seems to be a night of misfortunes.
_Mad. A._ [_Sighs._] Ah!
_Mad. L._ _Do_ be quiet.
_Man._ What has happened, Madame?
_Mad. L._ Marguerite went out on horseback just after you, and has not
yet returned.
_Man._ Oh, don't be alarmed--I met her.
_Mad. L._ Oh! when? where?
_Man._ About six o'clock, on the road to Elfen--she told me she was
going on to look at the ruins.
_Mad. L._ Good heavens! the ruins are in the midst of the forest, and
the roads dreadful! She must have lost her way! Alain!
_Enter ALAIN._
Order the carriage. [_Exit ALAIN._] I will send directly--I will go
myself.
_Man._ You may rest certain, Madame, that you will find her. In the
meantime, I will get rid of the evidences of my trifling fall. Be
assured your daughter is quite safe. [_Exit._
_Mad. L._ Come, Bevannes, order your horse, and ride by the carriage.
_Bev._ Thank you, but, with your permission, I'll ride _in_ the
carriage. The road _is_ a bad one, and if one horse stumbles, another
may.
_Mad. L._ Well, well, any way you please, only come. [_Exit._
_Mad. A._ Ah, poor girl, poor girl-- [_Weeps._
_Bev._ Don't be so distressed, Madame. It's not your little niece.
_Mad. A._ Monsieur de Bevannes, you are a brute!
_Bev._ So is a donkey, Madame, and yet one died rich in your affection.
Ah, if I could only have inherited a portion of his wealth. [_Exit._
_Mad. A._ I wonder if he means that. He never said anything so civil
before. I've a great mind to-- [_Going._
_Mlle H._ Stay--that letter of the steward's which you found in the
park--
_Mad. A._ Well?
_Mlle H._ Have you got it with you?
_Mad. A._ Of course.
_Mlle H._ Give it to me.
_Mad. A._ To _you_! Why?
_Mlle H._ No matter. Suffice it that my hopes, and yours--the very life
of all our plans--depend on the use I shall make of that letter.
_Mad. A._ Oh, well, take it. [_Gives letter._] I'm sure you'll make much
better use of it than I can. [_Aside._] Upon my life I'll go and ask
Bevannes what he meant by that. [_Exit._
_Mlle H._ Why, why did nature endow me with a heart to suffer, an
intellect to comprehend? Had I been born a fool, like that woman, this
dependent state would have brought with it calm endurance, if not
happiness. But, as I _am_, it is misery. How easy is bounty to the rich.
How natural is virtue to the happy. He heard my words as he came
in--must have divined their purport. Well, well, if I have taught him to
despise me, he shall learn to fear me, too. He dared to read me a
lesson, and I hate him for it, even though I profit by it. If I must
fall, he shall share the ruin he has caused.
_Enter MARGUERITE._
_Mar._ Helouin!
_Mlle H._ Marguerite!
_Mar._ Hush! To prevent remark, I came by the small stairway, through
the conservatory. My mother has been anxious?
_Mlle H._ Much alarmed. She has gone to seek you.
_Mar._ I know it. I have sent Alain to overtake and bring her back.
Before she comes, I have a word to say to you. It is of Monsieur Manuel.
I have strong reason to believe that you have most strangely misjudged
his character and his intentions.
_Mlle H._ I know him to be the Marquis de Champcey.
_Mar._ And _I_ know that if his birth be noble, his heart is no less so.
_Mlle H._ It is very recently, then, that you have made the discovery.
_Mar._ True. Now mark. You have seen the ruins of Elfen?
_Mlle H._ I have. I was once there with a party, and was the only woman
who dared ascend the tower.
_Mar._ You know the danger, then. Well, I care not now if all the world
should hear it. We were alone. By accident, imprisoned in those ruins. I
rashly, blindly, _falsely_ accused him, and he, to save my honor and his
own, plunged from that tower in to the gulf beneath!
_Mlle H._ But he escaped.
_Mar._ I know it and have thanked God for the miracle. I had not
strength to implore.
_Mlle H._ Upon my word, this is an extraordinary man.
_Mar._ Mademoiselle--
_Mlle H._ And understands so well how to turn his talents to the best
account. Why, poor child, and you don't see through all this? Yesterday
it was a swimming match, producing an admirably planned and effectual
scene. To-night, it is an exhibition of daring activity. The gentleman
has been brilliantly educated.
_Mar._ You evidently hate him.
_Mlle H._ And why? On my own account? No! What is he to _me_? But when I
see that he dares to bring his plots and machinations here, and intends
you for their victim, I am free to confess, I _do_ despise and hate
him!
_Mar._ These are grave accusations. What proof have you to support them?
_Mlle H._ Ah, you suspect me. For the sake of this stranger, you doubt
the truth of one you have known for years? Well, be it so--I will give
you proof, since you demand it. Do you know his handwriting?
_Mar._ I do. I have had to look over many papers he has copied for my
mother.
_Mlle H._ Look at that letter. Now listen: [_Reads._] "_My dear
Desmarets: I follow your instructions exactly. But will they avail to
win for me the bright reward for all I have to endure. I do not think
the dowry wilt be as large as I had hoped._--
_Mar._ Great Heavens!
_Mlle H._ "_But I have sworn to win it, and though there are many
obstacles here to make the task a hard one, yet, to achieve it, I will
serve, like Jacob, for forty years, if need be_--What a pity he did not
finish it. This was found under the window of his room by Madame Aubrey
and, by her, handed to me.
_Mar._ Enough. My resolution is taken.
_Enter MADAME LAROQUE and BEVANNES._
_Mad. L._ Oh, my dear child! What a state I have been in about you. How
did you get back? What happened?
_Mar._ The shepherd, who locks up the tower of Elfen, happened to fasten
it before I left. Some reapers returning home, heard my cries and
brought him back to release me, that is all.
_Enter MANUEL._
_Mad. L._ Ah, Monsieur, you have recovered from the effects of your
fall, I hope?
_Man._ Entirely, Madame.
_Mad. L._ [_To MARGUERITE._] But you, my child, must be fatigued,
nervous--
_Mar._ On the contrary, dearest mother, I never felt better or more
cheerful than to-night, which I will prove to you whenever the ball
commences.
_Bev._ The ball! why, surely, you'll never think of--
_Mar._ Dancing? Indeed but I shall though--and you, M. de Bevannes,
will be my first partner, will you not?
_Bev._ With the greatest delight--but pray, let me advise--
_Mar._ Advise nothing--you shall be my chief cavalier for the evening.
_Bev._ But my dress--
_Mar._ Your residence is hardly two miles from this; you can go home,
dress, and be here again--all within an hour.
[_Speaks to MADAME LAROQUE._
_Bev._ [_Aside._] This anxiety portends something. Bevannes, my boy, the
chase is nearly over, for the quarry is in sight.
_Mar._ Nonsense, my dear mother! I will have my own way for once.
_Mad. L._ For _once_!
_Mar._ My carriage shall take M. de Bevannes, and bring him back. Where
are all the servants? Here, some one--oh! the steward! go and order my
carriage.
_Mad. L._ [_Surprised at her tone of voice._] My dear.
_Man._ [_Quietly rising and ringing a bell, which summons_ ALAIN, _who
enters_.] I believe Mlle Marguerite has some orders for you.
_Alain._ Mademoiselle--
_Mar._ I have none--you may leave the room. [_Exit ALAIN._
_Bev._ Come, come, this sort of thing won't do.
_Mar._ Monsieur de Bevannes.
_Bev._ As you please--but permit me to regret that I have not the right
to interfere here.
_Man._ Your regret is unnecessary, sir--for if I did not see fit to obey
the lady's orders, I hold myself at yours.
_Bev._ Enough, sir; I shall act accordingly.
_Mad. L._ Gentlemen, I beg, I entreat--
_Mar._ Monsieur de Bevannes.
_Bev._ Mademoiselle?
_Mar._ Have the goodness to follow me--I must speak with you in the
presence of my mother only. Not a word, if you would ever speak with me
again--follow me now, at once. [_Exit with MADAME LAROQUE._
_Bev._ [_To MANUEL._] I believe, sir, we comprehend each other?
_MANUEL bows--Exit BEVANNES--MANUEL turns and encounters the look
of MLLE HELOUIN, who curtsies and exits._
_Man._ I see plainly now to whom I owe all this. Well, well, what
matters it to whom? The one thin ray of light upon my desolate and
gloomy path has vanished. Pshaw! This is no time for dreams or vain
regrets. [_Rings._
_Enter ALAIN._
Has Dr. Desmarets returned?
_Alain._ No, Monsieur.
_Man._ The moment he arrives I must see him.
_Alain._ I know--I know all about it. I overheard. Oh, sir, this is most
unfortunate.
_Man._ It is, but unavoidable. I did not seek it--
_Alain._ And that devil of a Bevannes is a fine swordsman, and the best
pistol-shot in Brittany.
_Man._ So much the better. The contest will be the more equal.
_Alain._ Indeed!
_Man._ I have had much practice with both weapons.
_Alain._ Oh then, pray do me one favor, sir. Don't kill him, but hit him
in the leg. He's so deuced proud of his leg and foot.
_Man._ There, that will do. Let me know the instant the Doctor arrives.
_Alain._ I will sir, I will, but don't forget. Pray don't forget the
leg--the leg, sir, if you love me. [_Exit._
_Man._ For myself, it matters not, but my sister, my little darling,
helpless sister--should I fall--Oh! Heaven, let my errors be so atoned,
and look down in pity on the orphan child, bereaved of earthly succor,
to be the more dependent upon thine.
[_As he raises his head, he perceives BEVANNES approaching, and
his bearing becomes calm and resolute._
_Enter BEVANNES._
_Bev._ Monsieur Manuel, can I have a few words with you?
_Man._ I am at your service, sir.
_Bev._ What I am about to say, considering our position, may seem
irregular, but I obey orders which cannot be disputed. Besides, I
believe no man can doubt my courage--
_Man._ Not I, be assured, sir.
_Bev._ To be brief, I am commissioned by the ladies to express their
regret for what has just occurred. M'lle Marguerite, in a moment of
forgetfulness, gave you certain orders, which it was plainly not your
province to fulfil. Your susceptibility was justly wounded. We admit
it, and--
_Man._ Not one word more, sir, I entreat.
_Bev._ Your hand. [_MANUEL gives his hand._] The ladies also desire me
to express their hope that this momentary misunderstanding will not
deprive them of your good offices, the value of which they fully
appreciate, and I am extremely happy in having acquired within the last
few minutes, the right to join my entreaty to theirs. My most ardent
wish is about to be gratified.
_Man._ Indeed?
_Bev._ And I shall feel personally obliged if you will not refuse us
your aid upon the eve of an event which family affairs and the failing
health of old Monsieur Laroque compels us to hasten.
_Enter ALAIN with a box containing deeds, &c._
Oh, thank you. Place it on the table. [_ALAIN does so and exits._] These
are the private papers and memoranda of Mons. Laroque, and the ladies
beg, as a proof of their entire confidence, that you will examine them
and take notes of such matters as will prove important to the marriage
contract.
_Man._ I shall obey their orders to the best of my ability.
_Bev._ Thank you, my dear fellow. I feel assured you will, and now, I
trust, we shall in future, understand one another better. I do not think
that, hitherto, either of us has formed a correct estimate of the other.
I protest to you that I'm disposed to like _you_ immensely. For myself,
I'm a very nice man, but I must be cultivated. Cultivate me, my dear
sir, and I give you my word you'll find me one of the most agreeable
fellows you ever knew; you will, indeed. Cultivate me, I beg. [_Exit._
_Man._ Well, well. He is her equal in fortune, and therefore, of course,
above suspicion. Poor girl! She is unaware that, in this world the
greatest beggars are not, always the poorest. She would see how I can
support the torture she inflicts. She shall be gratified, for she shall
see me even at the foot of the altar. But she will not triumph there,
for her pride, lofty as it is, shall pale before my own. Now to my
work. [_Sits and turns over papers._] Nothing here that I have not
seen before. "Title Deeds to"--Umph! "Legacies to my children."
"Marriage portion for Marguerite" and--Ah! What's this? My name!
"The Antilles"--yes, I remember, our family had large estates there,
but that, was long ago. Let me see, let me see. [_He reads, and as he
does so his face expresses, first, surprise, and then conviction and
triumph._] Great Heaven! And can this be so? Miserable old man. This,
then, is the secret of your wanderings, your visions, and of my unsought
influence. And now, _now_ I have them in my power. They shall find that
there is still some blood left in the heart that they would crush. This
proud, unfeeling girl, has yet to learn the meaning of that bitter word,
_humility_, and she _shall_ learn it. [_MARGUERITE speaks without._
_Mar._ He will soon return, dear mother. Meantime I will prepare for the
ball. [_She enters, crosses slowly, and exit, after a look at MANUEL._
_Man._ No--no--I can _not_! Never, never, by my act, shall the blush of
shame crimson that noble face. Laroque cannot live long. Let his crime
and his confession die before him! [_Music._] To my deep love I
consecrate the sacrifice.
_Burns paper. While he contemplates it burning, MADAME AUBREY looks
in unseen by him._