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THE VILLAGE COQUETTE
OR
THE SUPPOSED LOTTERY
By
RIVIERE DUFRESNY
Translated and Adapted by
Frank J. Morlock
C 1986
CHARACTERS:
The Baron
The Widow, his neighbor
Argon, another neighbor
Girard
Lucas, farmer
Lisette, the coquette
ACT I
Girard (holding two letters and reading them)
From Paris. To Monsieur Le Baron of Hamlet. Let's take care of this
letter for him. He's not at home. (putting the Baron's letter in his
pocket, he opens the other letter) And the other's for me, Girard. I
dare to hope that the list of winning lottery numbers is in this
letter. Right, my cousin, the master printer in Paris, favors the role
I've taken. Love is my guide in this roguery. With this false lottery
list I am going to obtain Lucas' daughter as my wife.
Widow (entering)
I am waiting for Mr. Argon. Why hasn't he come?
Girard (reading the letter)
From Paris. "My dear cousin, before having distributed the list of
lottery winners, I've sent you a false list, as you asked me to do, so
you can have a big joke in your village. You can make your rival
believe that Farmer Lucas won the grand prize of one hundred thousand
francs." With this, I hope to obtain my Lisette. Lucas, believing his
fortune made, will cede me his lease on the farm. He's the type to be
caught in such a snare. At bottom, it's for his own good. By making me
his son-in-law, he can't lose. (to Widow) But, why are you standing
around dreaming?
Widow
Because Mr. Argon is supposed to come find me.
Girard
He'll be here soon. He's still in the chateau.
Widow
I'm getting impatient.
Girard
What for? You're not excited by a tender love. It's an old lover, and
you should wait without impatience, coldly.
Widow
Shut up, Girard. Shut up. You know how I value him.
Girard
To believe an old man is an old grey beard is no big crime. I honor
him more, being his collector. The collection is small and for you,
with all my heart, I wish I could pay him a one hundred thousand francs
of income.
Widow
That would be too much for me, a former maid. That's what I was when I
was in Paris. But here I have a higher rank which I obtained from my
late husband, a head magistrate. Thus, I've been ennobled in this
village, a fine nobility at bottom and which is worth a good bit, a
nobility that one can take to Paris.
Girard
Let's renew our discussion and talk of Lisette again. Because, having
so much power over her, being her neighbor, and a sort of surrogate
parent, you are working hard to turn her into a coquette, instead of
making her wiser.
Widow
Language of Paris. That's what will make her perfect.
Girard
Some perfection! Alas, you make her worse, when you come here to
refine her wit. You make her heart more false and more vain.
Widow
At nine years, she was already a coquette in embryo. I have only
pointed her in her natural direction--so her beauty will not prove
worthless and she will profit by a fine marriage. I only want Lisette
to be wise. She's naturally exquisite, and I've simply added to her
talents all that I have learned.
Girard
With so many perfections you will make her a prodigy of coquetry.
Widow
So much the better, I tell you. That's what makes beauty and wit
valued. We've argued about this so many times. By coquette I mean a
girl who is very wise; who knows how to take advantage of other's
foibles; who always exhibits sangfroid in the midst of dangers. One
who profits from opportunity which she knows how to manage and uses
her reason when we lose ours. A wise coquette is more knowing than
anyone else because she is always exposed and always in a battle. One
cannot deny that the strongest virtue is one that undergoes and survives
the hardest tests. The coquette has prerogatives much more beautiful than
a prude's. That beautiful right is the right of being happy. A prude,
in her life, marries, but once or twice, but the clever coquette never
marries at all. She flatters, she raises hopes, she promises, but she
never gives in--thus through her wisdom leaving each one to his love
and desires, she makes pleasure last.
Girard
In my opinion Lisette is making my pain too harsh. It's useless to
complain to her father, alas, complaining is no good. He scorns me.
Widow
Yes, because you are leaving your condition in life. You are
soliciting my relative and you are only a flat foot.
Girard
Very flat-footed, right. But, without belittling myself. Do I owe
Lucas respect? He owes me some, perhaps. But now each of us rests on
his pedestal, and for a collector to be the son-in-law of a farmer,
it's by right of the game.
Widow
Good. It's an old game. Regretfully, I see your scheme is in ruins.
Lisette repents of having considered you, and she says she no longer
intends to have Girard. Now, the proud father and daughter find that
your fortune is too recent. Everywhere you find ungrateful hearts, as
in the village, even with regrets. But, during some times, gamble,
pilfer, respect, trim, clip, loot and loot again. By force of conceit,
you will come to listen.
Girard
Today my love appears bold to you, you blame my scheme. Listen, what
is the mystery? I have, for more than a month, prowled, spun around,
run about. And in my absence, alas, what has happened? My eyes are
opening at last. Lucas is coming. I leave you. Until we meet again.
(Exit Girard.)
Widow
Go to whatever hurries you.
(Enter Lucas.)
Lucas
O fortune, fortune, when will I catch you? You always fly from me.
Widow
Always fortune on the brain?
Lucas
Yes, for it hates me. I do this, I do that--labor all my life. Labor
for this one, labor for that one. I work for thirty years. After
thirty years, here I am. To labor for another, it's small palliative.
To work for oneself, that takes courage. To even everything up
wouldn't it be right for the others, in their turn, to work for me?
Widow
Lucas wishes to reach the heights.
Lucas
Suddenly, yes, to find myself there, as in a miracle. I've got the
character for it--no matter how hazardous. I gamble, win some, lose
some, it's only that it doesn't make one happy. I've played double or
nothing out of boredom. I have forty tickets for this lottery.
Widow
That's a very prudent way to place money.
Lucas
Yeah. Because I love big lotteries. I am going to make my fortune that
way.
Widow
You will make your fortune through your daughter. The Baron loves her
more and more.
Lucas
He's becoming hot. But my daughter lacks the feeling to marry him.
Widow
She's shrewd and subtle.
Lucas
It's beginning to make him keen.
Widow
And, the Baron, who's only a village Baron, hasn't, as you know, much
brains.
Lucas
Not necessary to say he's a stupid, because all the world knows it
well. But Lisette can hear us. Come on, daughter, come on. Madame and
I were talking about how your wit satisfies her. She said you were so
subtle, said you were so knowing.
(Enter Lisette, listening.)
Lisette (pretending naivete)
Father, I don't know what she thinks of me.
Lucas
So much the worse, my daughter, so much the worse.
Widow
Today, you've joined some ornament to your simple country dress.
Lisette
It's to please the Baron, as you advised me. I am making myself over
to be loved. I am obedient, and I intend, to please you, that he marry
me quickly. So, that's why I added to my costume today.
Widow
You'd have made him love you, that's already done. But to make him
marry you, you must double dose him with sighs, looks and little
manners. Put to work my recent lessons. We shall try to please at
first by simple attractions. A little affectation, lowering your gaze,
being quiet, appearing embarrassed. A cold blooded man, seeing a great
deal of simpering, will believe less what he sees. He will suspect,
examine, and discover the pretence. But, when the dupe is taken--be
affected without fear. The grossest kinds of affectation, far from
quelling, charm his passions, and he seeks out the beauty of nature.
Lucas
I don't understand half your fine preaching. (dumbfounded) But what
you say must be good, for you amaze.
Widow
Lisette understand perfectly.
Lisette
Not so much as you think. You have taught me well, speaking to me of
these looks which make women so refined. But I am not so refined. I
cannot do as they do.
Widow
Oh, you will go far. You know how to please, and how to pretend.
Lisette
You deceive yourself. I contradict myself in no respect. I please the
Baron without feigning to please him. If he is deceived, I can never
be. When I speak contrary to my thought, one can see in my manner that
I am embarrassed.
Widow
The Baron could, by a tender turn about, mention again the contract he
made the other day. He is changeable, peevish in his tenderness. Think
to profit by his day of weakness. Has he promised again today?
Lisette
Alas, no.
Widow
He must have thought it over. It's his day to be reasonable, his good
day. But we will recapture him. To make him sign, it's only needful to
make him wait. If something can hasten this happy day, it's pretence.
Pretend a violent love.
Lisette
Alas, I will pretend badly.
Widow
Then, I am uneasy. I intend to marry as much as Lisette. Monsieur
Argon occupies me and I am going to see him. If he keeps his word, it
will be all over today. (exits)
Lucas
You must pretend the widder lady says, and you don't know how to
pretend a pretense. You say everything that comes into your head and
that's a mistake. Have the virtue to lie a bit. You don't know how,
and that upsets me.
Lisette
Oh, console yourself, father. If I am still stupid, I am not really
stupid. I know how to pretend better than the Widow thinks. I have
some tricks she hasn't seen yet. If I always tell her I am innocent,
and that, despite her lessons, I am ignorant, it's all on purpose so
she will be proud of me.
Lucas
Oh, you know what you're doing and I cannot complain of you.
Lisette
You are going to see how I intend to make a fortune.
Lucas
Fortune is our master.
Lisette
It is true--it is our master. But, if he should fail me?
Lucas
Ha! Ha! I see well what you intend. So as not to lack one, you will
have two.
Lisette
Yes, at least, father. That's what I'm doing. But the other has less
wealth, which annoys me. For Monsieur Baron--here's what I fear--his
conversation does not entirely please me. I have spoken to him a lot
in pretending to be innocent. No, for marriage he has no plans. He
says he wants to stay single for ten more years.
Lucas
To remain single--oh, oh. He wants to marry you, so you can remain a
virgin?
Lisette
To understand him, the loves of a nobleman for girls like me does us
much honor
Lucas
No, no, of these nobles, love without marriage takes honor from girls
that nothing gives back.
Lisette
One has much wealth, but he will deceive me. The other hasn't very
much, but he will marry me.
Lucas
The other is this Girard, correct?
Lisette
Fie!
Lucas
I'll say fie to him. If he comes round, I'll kick him out.
Lisette
Kick him out? Ah, be careful. Let him be in love--that costs nothing.
If the others fail, he may make his fortune. Who knows?
Lucas
Well said. So, there's to be three for one. But, who is the new one
who you say is certain?
Lisette
If he marries me, the Widow will be very chagrined.
Lucas (astonished by degrees and then understanding)
The Devil!
Lisette
I will take her chance.
Lucas
Death!
Lisette
For I will break her marriage.
Lucas
Astounding!
Lisette
It is going to astonish you. For I will have the wealth intended for
her. I will marry her lover.
Lucas (crying out)
My Lord! You will ruin her. She loves you as if you were her daughter.
Lisette
Can I do otherwise? I said no, at first. I really would have preferred
not to wrong her. But she has given me lessons in fortune hunting.
I've got to take advantage of my youth like others. The other lesson
she gave me recently was to love at first for one's profit. I love the
Widow, but--
Lucas
But, you are able to love what profits you? These lessons are her own
fault, and she deserves it.
Lisette
I'm in despair. At bottom, I have a good heart. I would prefer for her
to marry the Baron.
Lucas
Yes, for he's more rich and you will gain by the change. In the case
of the three lovers, here's how it goes: The Baron's worth more than
Argon, he's got six times his money. Argon's better, worth more than
Girard, and Girard's better than nothing.
Lisette
He's like nothing, yes, but with respect to the other two, we will
keep your plans and mine secret.
Lucas
Yes, better to be secret. For these two good spouses won't be married,
if they know about each other.
Lisette
The Baron's returning.
Lucas
Yes, I am going to do what you told me.
Lisette
Pretend to be enraged. We must see if he will marry me.
(Enter Baron.)
Lucas
Oh, that's definitive. He'll marry you to death, for he looks
thoughtful.
Baron
Lucas intends to leave me. This disturbs me. How can I bear not to
see Lisette any more?
Lisette (after having spoken low)
Yell very loud, then leave without speaking to him.
Lucas (loud so that the Baron hears)
Yes, I intend to leave our master, and I'm going to start going about
it.
Lisette (pretending to be very angry to leave the Baron)
No! Don't leave him!
Lucas
I have told him, and I am no traitor. I've told him of it a while ago,
and I'm going.
Lisette
To leave to find a master!
Lucas
As you are growing up, it's a cruelty to stay here. In a village, you
lose your time and your beauty. You can merchandise your youth better
in the Paris marriage market. Yes, I will take you to Paris, and very
soon, because time presses. Although a vertigo irritates me
momentarily, what I want is only reasonable, and I shall be as bold as
brass. (pushing his hat onto his head and passing before the Baron) I
am upset to leave him, but death, I shall console myself. (exits)
Baron
He was very abrupt with me on a frivolous subject. Has he gone crazy?
What can he intend to do?
Lisette (twisting her handkerchief)
I will never see you any more. I am in despair.
Baron
There's always some shadow maiming fortune.
Lisette
He's wrong, for, sir, I see what he is hoping.
Baron
He would suddenly become a great lord.
Lisette (looking tenderly at the Baron)
Yes, to see me a great lady, and that is my misfortune. He imagines
something that can't be. The daughter of a farmer is not for his
master.
Baron
You will be with me as if you were my own child.
Lisette
Oh, sir, that's not what he has in mind.
Baron
I believe he intends to pay me less rent.
Lisette
He intends something far different.
Baron
Yes, what a repayment.
Lisette (starting to cry)
No, that's not what one day you said; that day you were full of love
for me. You intended, you said, to write a promise. You no longer love
me!
Baron
That day was like today. My feelings were full for you. I love you,
Lisette.
Lisette
And, if I still must leave?
Baron
Of my love, you will have a sure pledge. A contract.
Lisette (stopping her tears)
Today?
Baron
A marriage contract. It's already written. I did it right away, first
thing. Second thing is to sign.
Lisette
You won't sign it?
Baron
I will sign.
Lisette
But, when? For my father is taking me off. He is so proud.
Baron
My word is reliable.
Lisette
I believe you, but my father--
Baron
Yes, I will give you my oath.
Lisette (crying again)
Don't swear to me. I believe you already. But my father--
Baron
I will go appease him. I swear to you.
Lisette (crying and holding him by the arm)
No, he's going to take me off. Of that I am sure.
Baron
No, no. I am going to keep Lucas.
Lisette (pretending to be outré with rage against him)
It's I who wish to leave, because you don't love me!
(Exit Baron.)
Lisette (suddenly stops crying)
No--this is only a deceiver, who thinks me innocent. I must soon take
my relative, the Widow's, lover. He has no wealth. That's my last
resource. But, he's coming to the garden to speak to me. Let's
continue. I played the naïve and tender. Now to play the dreamer.
(Enter Argon.)
Argon
Yes, Lisette is going to return. (he turns to look closely at her) How
pretty she is, dreaming. How many charms I see. She sighs. Good! I
feel that she is for me. What are you dreaming of?
(Lisette, after having let Argon look her over, pretends to be
astonished to see Argon so near her.)
Lisette
Oh! You've startled me so! I was dreaming--that I have so much
freedom--suddenly in the garden.
Argon
That's what charmed me. You've already told me, not that I am loved,
but that you will soon love me.
Lisette
I am confused by what you are thinking. I ask pardon. To love you
would be to lack respect for you.
Argon
Lack respect? Yes, I intend to. A too respectful love obtains nothing.
Lisette
But, I don't love. Speak more. Encourage me, then.
Argon
To give you courage, I make a contract. But, complete my wishes.
(The Widow enters and listens.)
Argon
Add a word to your looks, your sighs. This word is a great word. Tell
me--"I love you."
Lisette
I've told you a hundred times--and to myself, a thousand.
Argon
To yourself?
Lisette
Alas, yes.
Argon
What naivete!
Lisette
Why hide it from you if it is the truth?
Argon
Behold love. Behold pure sincerity. This calls me to love, like
nature. There, Lisette, here's the role I have taken. I intend to take
you, in secret, to Paris, for I will, at first, marry you secretly.
Let's hide all from the Widow. She would be jealous of it. I will
marry you without her knowing anything of it. In her place, in a word,
you will have all my wealth.
Lisette
I want nothing from you, but your person. Give her all your wealth.
Argon
But, if I give it to her, what will the two of us and our children
live on?
Lisette
I don't want it for myself, but you'll need it.
Argon (taking her hand)
There, let us separate. No, stay here.
Lisette
I am staying.
Argon
Go--and be in the nearby woods in an hour. (he kisses her hand) Go
quickly. Wait! The marriage is made.
Lisette (perceiving the Widow)
Ah! All is discovered.
Argon
I am an indiscreet fool!
(Exit Lisette.)
Widow
What have I heard? I am struck mute with shock!
Argon
And I! I am mute with shame. From frankness, I am going to admit to
you that what you have seen--I am wrong. The marriage I contracted
with you ought to prevent me from making another. But, as friendship
alone made ours, it would seem love is stronger. Still, I was wrong to
betray you thus. But, if you know how Lisette loves me, from
friendship for me, you yourself would say--marry her, sir, I freely
consent. What pleasure, at my age of fifty-four years, to be loved for
myself. Yes, only for my person. For she refused my wealth which I
would give, only wanting me. But, I am doubly wrong to betray you, to
anger you. From prudence, I ought never to speak of Lisette. Yes,
Madame, I am wrong, a hundred times wrong. But she will be my wife.
Widow
I cannot recover. This blow is overwhelming. I excuse Argon. At
bottom, he loves blindly. As for me, I really deserve for Lisette to
deceive me. But, for this marriage--it is necessary that I break it.
Were the good Argon never to marry me, let us try to disabuse him--
from friendship.
CURTAIN