SCENE FIRST
(The setting is a drawing-room in the Rousseau mansion. Antoine is
looking through the newspapers.)
Antoine and Justine.
Justine
Well, Antoine, have you read the papers?
Antoine
I am reading them. Isn't it a pity that we servants cannot learn,
excepting through the papers, what is going on in the trial of M.
Jules?
Justine
And yet the master and mistress and Mme. du Brocard, their sister,
know nothing. M. Jules has been for three months--in--what do they
call it?--in close confinement.
Antoine
The arrest of the young man has evidently attracted great attention--
Justine
It seems absurd to think that a young man who had nothing to do but
amuse himself, who would some day inherit his aunt's income of twenty
thousand francs, and his father's and mother's fortune, which is quite
double that amount, should be mixed up in a conspiracy!
Antoine
I admire him for it, for they were plotting to bring back the emperor!
You may cause my throat to be cut if you like. We are alone here--you
don't belong to the police; long live the emperor! say I.
Justine
For mercy's sake, hold your tongue, you old fool!--If any one heard
you, you would get us all arrested.
Antoine
I am not afraid of that, thank God! The answers I made to the
magistrate were non-committal; I never compromised M. Jules, like the
traitors who informed against him.
Justine
Mme. du Brocard with all her immense savings ought to be able to buy
him off.
Antoine
Oh, nonsense! Since the escape of Lavalette such a thing is
impossible! They have become extremely particular at the gates of the
prison, and they were never particularly accommodating. M. Jules will
have to take his dose you see; he will be a martyr. I shall go and see
him executed.
(Some one rings. Exit Antoine.)
Justine
We will go and see him! When one has known a condemned man I don't see
how they can have the heart to--As for me I shall go to the Court of
Assizes. I feel, poor boy, I owe him that!
SCENE SECOND
Dupre, Antoine and Justine.
Antoine (aside, as he ushers in Dupre)
Ah! The lawyer. (Aloud) Justine, go and tell madame that Monsieur
Dupre is waiting. (Aside) The lawyer is a hard nut to crack, I'm
thinking. (Aloud) Sir, is there any hope of saving our poor M. Jules?
Dupre
I perceive that you are very fond of your young master?
Antoine
Naturally enough!
Dupre
What would you do to save him?
Antoine
Anything, sir!
Dupre
That means nothing.
Antoine
Nothing?--I will give whatever evidence you like.
Dupre
If you are caught in contradicting yourself and convicted of perjury,
do you know what you run the risk of?
Antoine
No, sir.
Dupre
The galleys.
Antoine
That is rather severe, sir.
Dupre
You would prefer to serve him without compromising yourself?
Antoine
Is there any other way?
Dupre
No.
Antoine
Well! I'll run the risk of the galleys.
Dupre (aside)
What devotion is here!
Antoine
My master would be sure to settle a pension on me.
Justine
Here is madame.
SCENE THIRD
The same persons and Madame Rousseau.
Mme. Rousseau (to Dupre)
Ah! Monsieur, we have been impatiently expecting this visit. (To
Antoine) Antoine! Quick, inform my husband. (To Dupre) Sir, I trust in
your efforts, alone.
Dupre
You may be sure, madame, that I shall employ every energy--
Mme. Rousseau
Oh! Thank you! But of course Jules is not guilty. To think of him as a
conspirator! Poor child, how could any one suspect him, who trembles
before me at the slightest reproach--me, his mother! Ah, monsieur,
promise that you will restore him to me!
Rousseau (entering the room)
(To Antoine) Yes, carry the letter to General de Verby. I shall wait
for him here. (To Dupre) I am glad to see you, my dear M. Dupre--
Dupre
The battle will doubtless begin to-morrow; to-day preparations are
being made, and the indictment drawn.
Rousseau
Has my poor Jules made any admissions?
Dupre
He has denied everything, and has played to perfection the part of an
innocent man; but we are not able to oppose any testimony to that
which is being brought against him.
Rousseau
Ah! Monsieur, save my son, and the half of my fortune shall be yours!
Dupre
If I had every half of a fortune that has been promised to me, I
should be too rich for anything.
Rousseau
Do you question the extent of my gratitude?
Dupre
We will wait till the result of the trial is known, sir.
Mme. Rousseau
Take pity on a poor mother!
Dupre
Madame, I swear to you nothing so much excites my curiosity and my
sympathy, as a genuine sentiment. And at Paris sincerity is so rare
that I cannot be indifferent to the grief of a family threatened with
the loss of an only son. You may therefore rely upon me.
Rousseau
Ah! Monsieur!
SCENE FOURTH
The same persons, General de Verby and Madame du Brocard.
Mme. du Brocard (showing in De Verby)
Come in, my dear general.
De Verby (bowing to Rousseau)
Monsieur--I simply came to learn--
Rousseau (presenting Dupre to De Verby)
General, M. Dupre.
(Dupre and De Verby exchange bows.)
Dupre (aside, while De Verby talks with Rousseau)
He is general of the antechamber, holding the place merely through the
influence of his brother, the lord chamberlain; he doesn't seem to me
to have come here without some object.
De Verby (to Dupre)
I understand, sir, that you are engaged for the defence of M. Jules
Rousseau in this deplorable affair--
Dupre
Yes, sir, it is a deplorable affair, for the real culprits are not in
prison; thus it is that justice rages fiercely against the rank and
file, but the chiefs are always passed by. You are General Vicomte de
Verby, I presume?
De Verby
Simple General Verby--I do not take the title--my opinions of course.
--Doubtless you are acquainted with the evidence in this case?
Dupre
I have been in communication with the accused only for the last three
days.
De Verby
And what do you think of the affair?
All
Yes, tell us.
Dupre
According to my experience of the law courts, I believe it possible to
obtain important revelations by offering commutation of sentence to
the condemned.
De Verby
The accused are all men of honor.
Rousseau
But--
Dupre
Characters sometime change at the prospect of the scaffold, especially
when there is much at stake.
De Verby (aside)
A conspiracy ought not to be entered upon excepting with penniless
accomplices.
Dupre
I shall induce my client to tell everything.
Rousseau
Of course.
Mme. du Brocard
Certainly.
Mme. Rousseau
He ought to do so.
De Verby (anxiously)
I presume there is no other way of escape for him?
Dupre
None whatever; it can be proved that he was of the number of those who
had begun to put in execution the plot.
De Verby
I would rather lose my head than my honor.
Dupre
I should consider which of the two was worth more.
De Verby
You have your views in the matter.
Rousseau
Those are mine.
Dupre
And they are the opinions of the majority. I have seen many things
done by men to escape the scaffold. There are people who push others
to the front, who risk nothing, and yet reap all the fruits of
success. Have such men any honor? Can one feel any obligation towards
them?
De Verby
No, they are contemptible wretches.
Dupre (aside)
He has well said it. This is the fellow who has ruined poor Jules! I
must keep my eye on him.
SCENE FIFTH
The same persons, Antoine and Jules (the latter led in by police
agents.)
Antoine
Sir, a carriage stopped at the door. Several men got out. M. Jules is
with them; they are bringing him in.
M. and Mme. Rousseau
My son!
Mme. du Brocard
My nephew!
Dupre
Yes, I see what it is--doubtless a search-warrant. They wish to look
over his papers.
Antoine
Here he is.
(Jules appears in the centre, followed by the police and a magistrate;
he rushes up to his mother.)
Jules
O mother! My good mother! (He embraces his mother.) Ah! I see you once
more! (To Mme. du Brocard) Dear aunt!
Mme. Rousseau
My poor child! Come! Come--close to me; they will not dare-- (To the
police, who approach her) Leave him, leave him here!
Rousseau (rushing towards the police)
Be kind enough--
Dupre (to the magistrate)
Monsieur!
Jules
My dear mother, calm yourself! I shall soon be free; yes, be quite
sure of that, and we will not part again.
Antoine (to Rousseau)
Sir, they wish to visit M. Jules's room.
Rousseau (to the magistrate)
In a moment, monsieur. I will go with you myself. (To Dupre, pointing
to Jules) Do not leave him!
(He goes out conducting the magistrate, who makes a sign to the police
to keep guard on Jules.)
Jules (seizing the hand of De Verby)
Ah, general! (To Dupre) And how good and generous of you, M. Dupre, to
come here and comfort my mother. (In a low voice) Ah! conceal from her
my danger. (Aloud, looking at his mother) Tell her the truth. Tell her
that she has nothing to fear.
Dupre
I will tell her that it is in her power to save you.
Mme. Rousseau
In my power?
Mme. du Brocard
How can that be?
Dupre (to Mme. Rousseau)
By imploring him to disclose the names of those who have led him on.
De Verby (to Dupre)
Monsieur!
Mme. Rousseau
Yes, and you ought to do it. I, your mother, demand it of you.
Mme. du Brocard
Oh, certainly! My nephew shall tell everything. He has been led on by
people who now abandon him to his fate, and he in his turn ought--
De Verby (in a low voice to Dupre)
What, sir! Would you advise your client to betray--?
Dupre (quickly)
Whom?
De Verby (in a troubled voice)
But--can't we find some other method? M. Jules knows what a man of
high spirit owes to himself.
Dupre (aside)
He is the man--I felt sure of it!
Jules (to his mother and aunt)
Never, though I should die for it--never will I compromise any one
else.
(De Verby shows his pleasure at this declaration.)
Mme. Rousseau
Ah! my God! (Looking at the police.) And there is no chance of our
helping him to escape here!
Mme. du Brocard
No! that is out of the question.
Antoine (coming into the room)
M. Jules, they are asking for you.
Jules
I am coming!
Mme. Rousseau
Ah! I cannot let you go.
(She turns to the police with a supplicating look.)
Mme. du Brocard (to Dupre, who scrutinizes De Verby)
M. Dupre, I have thought that it would be a good thing--
Dupre (interrupting her)
Later, madame, later.
(He leads her to Jules, who goes out with his mother, followed by the
agents.)
SCENE SIXTH
Dupre and De Verby.
De Verby (aside)
These people have hit upon a lawyer who is rich, without ambition--and
eccentric.
Dupre (crossing the stage and gazing at De Verby, aside)
Now is my time to learn your secret. (Aloud) You are very much
interested in my client, monsieur?
De Verby
Very much indeed.
Dupre
I have yet to understand what motive could have led him, young, rich
and devoted to pleasure as he is, to implicate himself in a
conspiracy--
De Verby
The passion for glory.
Dupre
Don't talk in that way to a lawyer who for twenty years has practiced
in the courts; who has studied men and affairs well enough to know
that the finest motives are only assumed as a disguise for trumpery
passions, and has never yet met a man whose heart was free from the
calculations of self-interest.
De Verby
Do you ever take up a case without charging anything?
Dupre
I often do so; but I never act contrary to my convictions.
De Verby
I understand that you are rich?
Dupre
I have some fortune. Without it, in the world as at present
constituted, I should be on the straight road for the poor-house.
De Verby
It is then from conviction, I suppose, that you have undertaken the
defence of young Rousseau?
Dupre
Certainly. I believe him to be the dupe of others in a higher station,
and I like those who allow themselves to be duped from generous
motives and not from self-interest; for in these times the dupe is
often as greedy after gain as the man who exploits him.
De Verby
You belong, I perceive, to the sect of misanthropes.
Dupre
I do not care enough for mankind to hate them, for I have never yet
met any one I could love. I am contented with studying my fellow-men;
for I see that they are all engaged in playing each, with more or less
success, his own little comedy. I have no illusion about anything, it
is true, but I smile at it all like a spectator who sits in a theatre
to be amused. One thing I never do; I hiss at nothing; for I have not
sufficient feeling about things for that.
De Verby (aside)
How is it possible to influence such a man? (Aloud) Nevertheless,
monsieur, you must sometimes need the services of others?
Dupre
Never!
De Verby
But you are sometimes sick?
Dupre
Then I like to be alone. Moreover, at Paris, anything can be bought,
even attendance on the sick; believe me I live because it is my duty
to do so. I have tested everything--charity, friendship, unselfish
devotion. Those who have received benefits have disgusted me with the
doing of kindnesses. Certain philanthropists have made me feel a
loathing for charity. And of all humbugs that of sentiment is the most
hateful.
De Verby
And what of patriotism, monsieur?
Dupre
That is a very trifling matter, since the cry of humanity has been
raised.
De Verby (somewhat discouraged)
And so you take Jules Rousseau for a young enthusiast?
Dupre
No, sir, nothing of the sort. He presents a problem which I have to
solve, and with your assistance I shall reach the solution. (De Verby
changes countenance.) Come, let us speak candidly. I believe that you
know something about all this.
De Verby
What do you mean, sir?
Dupre
You can save the young man.
De Verby
I? What can I do?
Dupre
You can give testimony which Antoine will corroborate--
De Verby
I have reasons for not appearing as a witness.
Dupre
Just so. You are one of the conspirators!
De Verby
Monsieur!
Dupre
It is you who have led on this poor boy.
De Verby
Monsieur, this language--!
Dupre
Don't attempt to deceive me, but tell me how you managed to gain this
bad influence over him? He is rich, he is in need of nothing.
De Verby
Listen!--If you say another word--
Dupre
Oh! my life is of no consideration with me!
De Verby
Sir, you know very well that Jules will get off; and that if he does
not behave properly, he will lose, through your fault, the chance of
marriage with my niece, and thus the succession to the title of my
brother, the Lord Chamberlain.
Dupre
Ah, that's what he was after, then! He's like all the rest of the
schemers. Now consider, sir, what I am going to propose to you. You
have powerful friends, and it is your duty--
De Verby
My duty! I do not understand you, sir.
Dupre
You have been able to effect his ruin, and can you not bring about his
release? (Aside) I have him there.
De Verby
I shall give my best consideration to the matter.
Dupre
Don't consider for a moment that you can escape me.
De Verby
A general who fears no danger can have no fear of a lawyer--
Dupre
As you will!
(Exit De Verby, who jostles against Joseph.)
SCENE SEVENTH
Dupre and Joseph Binet.
Joseph
I heard only yesterday, monsieur, that you were engaged for the
defence of M. Jules Rousseau; I have been to your place, and have
waited for you until I could wait no later. This morning I found that
you had left your home, and as I am working for this house, a happy
inspiration sent me here. I thought you would be coming here, and I
waited for you--
Dupre
What do you want with me?
Joseph
I am Joseph Binet.
Dupre
Well, proceed.
Joseph
Let me say without offence, sir, that I have fourteen hundred francs
of my own--quite my own!--earned sou by sou. I am a journeyman
upholsterer, and my uncle, Du Mouchel, a retired wine merchant, has
plenty of the metal.
Dupre
Speak out openly! What is the meaning of this mysterious preamble?
Joseph
Fourteen hundred francs is of course a mere trifle, and they say that
lawyers have to be well paid, and that it is because they are well
paid that there are so many of them. I should have done better if I
had been a lawyer--then she would have married me!
Dupre
Are you crazy?
Joseph
Not at all. I have here my fourteen hundred francs; take them, sir--no
humbug! They are yours.
Dupre
And on what condition?
Joseph
You must save M. Jules--I mean, of course, from death--and you must
have him transported. I don't want him to be put to death; but he must
go abroad. He is rich, and he will enjoy himself. But save his life.
Procure a sentence of simple transportation, say for fifteen years,
and my fourteen hundred francs are yours. I will give them to you
gladly, and I will moreover make you an office chair below the market
price. There now!
Dupre
What is your object in speaking to me in this way?
Joseph
My object? I want to marry Pamela. I want to have my little Pamela.
Dupre
Pamela?
Joseph
Pamela Giraud.
Dupre
What connection has Pamela Giraud with Jules Rousseau?
Joseph
Well I never! Why! I thought that advocates were paid for learning and
knowing everything. But you don't seem to know anything, sir. I am not
surprised that there are those who say advocates are know-nothings.
But I should like to have back my fourteen hundred francs. Pamela is
accused, that is to say, she accuses me of having betrayed his head to
the executioner, and you will understand that if after all he escapes,
and is transported, I can marry, can wed Pamela; and as the
transported man will not be in France, I need fear no disturbance in
my home. Get him fifteen years; that is nothing; fifteen years for
traveling and I shall have time to see my children grow up, and my
wife old enough--you understand--
Dupre (aside)
He is candid, at any rate--Those who make their calculations aloud and
in such evident excitement are not the worst of people.
Joseph
I say! Do you know the proverb--"A lawyer who talks to himself is like
a pastry cook who eats his own wares,"--eh, sir?
Dupre
I understand you to say that Pamela is in love with M. Jules?
Joseph
Ah! I see, you understand matters.
Dupre
They used frequently to meet I suppose?
Joseph
Far too frequently! Oh! if I had only known it, I would have put a
stop to it!
Dupre
Is she pretty?
Joseph
Who?--Pamela?--My eye! My Pamela! She is as pretty as the Apollo
Belvidere!
Dupre
Keep your fourteen hundred francs, my friend, and if you have courage,
you and your Pamela, you will be able to help me in effecting his
deliverance; for the question is absolutely whether we must let him go
to the scaffold, or save him from it.
Joseph
I beg you, sir, do not think of saying one word to Pamela; she is in
despair.
Dupre
Nevertheless you must bring it about that I see her this morning.
Joseph
I will send word to her through her parents.
Dupre
Ah! she has a father and mother living then? (Aside) This will cost a
lot of money. (Aloud) Who are they?
Joseph
They are respectable porters.
Dupre
That is good.
Joseph
Old Giraud is a ruined tailor.
Dupre
Very well, go and inform them of my intended visit, and above all
things preserve the utmost secrecy, or M. Jules will be sacrificed.
Joseph
I shall be dumb.
Dupre
And let it be thought that we have never met.
Joseph
We have never seen each other.
Dupre
Now go.
Joseph
I am going.
(He mistakes the door.)
Dupre
This is the way.
Joseph
This is the way, great advocate--but let me give you a bit of advice--
a slight taste of transportation will not do him any harm; in fact, it
will teach him to leave the government in peace. (Exit.)
SCENE EIGHTH
Rousseau, Madame Rousseau, Madame du Brocard (attended by Justine) and
Dupre.
Mme. Rousseau
Poor child! What courage he shows!
Dupre
I hope to save him for you, madame; but it cannot be done without
making great sacrifices.
Rousseau
Sir, the half of our fortune is at your disposal.
Mme. du Brocard
And the half of mine.
Dupre
It is always the half of some fortune or other. I am going to try to
do my duty--afterwards, you must do yours; we shall have to make great
efforts. You, madame, must rouse yourself, for I have great hopes.
Mme. Rousseau
Ah! sir, what can you mean?
Dupre
A little time ago, your son was a ruined man; at the present moment, I
believe he can be saved.
Mme. Rousseau
What must we do?
Mme. du Brocard
What do you ask?
Rousseau
You may be sure we will do as you require.
Dupre
I feel certain you will. This is my plan which will undoubtedly
succeed with the jury. Your son had an intrigue with a certain
working-girl, Pamela Giraud, the daughter of a porter.
Mme. du Brocard
What low people!
Dupre
Yet you will have to humble yourselves to them. Your son was always
with this young girl, and in this point lies the sole hope of his
deliverance. The very evening on which the public prosecutor avers
that he attended a meeting of the conspirators, he was possibly
visiting her. If this is a fact, if she declares that he remained with
her that night, if her father and her mother, if the rival of Jules
confirm the testimony--we shall then have ground for hope. When the
choice has to be made between a sentence of guilty and an alibi, the
jury prefers the alibi.
Mme. Rousseau (aside)
Ah! sir, you bring back life to me.
Rousseau
Sir, we owe you a debt of eternal gratitude.
Dupre (looking at them)
What sum of money must I offer to the daughter, to the father and to
the mother?
Mme. du Brocard
Are they poor?
Dupre
They are, but the matter concerns their honor.
Mme. du Brocard
Oh, she is only a working-girl!
Dupre (ironically)
It ought to be done very cheaply.
Rousseau
What do you think?
Dupre
I think that you are bargaining for the life of your son.
Mme. du Brocard
Well, M. Dupre, I suppose you may go as high as--
Mme. Rousseau
As high as--
Dupre
As high as--
Rousseau
Upon my word, I don't understand why you hesitate--and you must offer,
sir, whatever sum you consider suitable.
Dupre
Just so, you leave it to my discretion. But what compensation do you
offer her if she restores your son to you at the sacrifice of her
honor? For possibly he has made love to her.
Mme. Rousseau
He shall marry her. I come from the people myself, and I am no
marchioness.
Mme. du Brocard
What do you mean by that? You are forgetting Mlle. de Verby.
Mme. Rousseau
Sister, my son's life must be saved.
Dupre (aside)
Here we have the beginning of a comedy and the last which I wish to
see; but I must keep them to their word. (Aloud) Perhaps it would be
well if you secretly paid a visit to the young girl.
Mme. Rousseau
Oh, yes, I should like to go to see her--to implore her-- (she rings)
Justine! Antoine! Quick! Order the carriage! At once--
Antoine
Yes, madame.
Mme. Rousseau
Sister, will you go with me? Ah, Jules my poor son!
Mme. du Brocard
They are bringing him back.
SCENE NINTH
The same persons, Jules (brought in by the police), and later De
Verby.
Jules (kissing his mother)
O mother!--I will not say good-bye; I shall be back very soon.
(Rousseau and Mme. du Brocard embrace Jules.)
De Verby (going up to Dupre)
I will do, monsieur, what you have asked of me. One of my friends, M.
Adolph Durand, who facilitated the flight of our dear Jules, will
testify that his friend was altogether taken up with a grisette, whom
he loved passionately, and with whom he was taking measures to elope.
Dupre
That is enough; success now depends upon the way we set about things.
The magistrate (to Jules)
We must be going, monsieur.
Jules
I will follow you. Be of good courage, mother!
(He bids farewell to Rousseau and Dupre; De Verby signs to him to be
cautious.)
Mme. Rousseau (to Jules, as he is being led away)
Jules! Jules! Do not give up hope--we are going to save you!
(The police lead Jules away.)
Curtain to the Second Act.