[_The party are leaving the dining-room._]
_Gaston_--Well, Hector! What do you think of it? The house is just as
you see it now, every day in the year. Do you believe there is a happier
man in the world than I?
_Duke_--Faith! I envy you; you reconcile me to marriage.
_Antoinette_ [_in a low voice to Verdelet_]--Monsieur de Montmeyran is a
charming young man!
_Verdelet_ [_in a low voice_]--He pleases me.
_Gaston_ [_to Poirier, who comes in last_]--Monsieur Poirier, I must
tell you once for all how much I esteem you. Don't think I'm ungrateful.
_Poirier_--Oh! Monsieur!
_Gaston_--Why the devil don't you call me Gaston? And you, too, dear
Monsieur Verdelet, I'm very glad to see you.
_Antoinette_--He is one of the family, Gaston.
_Gaston_--Shake hands then, Uncle.
_Verdelet_ [_aside, giving him his hand_]--He's not a bad fellow.
_Gaston_--Agree, Hector, that I've been lucky. Monsieur Poirier, I feel
guilty. You make my life one long fête and never give me a chance in
return. Try to think of something I can do for you.
_Poirier_--Very well, if that's the way you feel, give me a quarter of
an hour. I should like to have a serious talk with you.
_Duke_--I'll withdraw.
_Poirier_--No, stay, Monsieur. We are going to hold a kind of family
council. Neither you nor Verdelet will be in the way.
_Gaston_--The deuce, my dear father-in-law. A family council! You
embarrass me!
_Poirier_--Not at all, dear Gaston. Let us sit down.
[_They seat themselves around the fireplace_.]
_Gaston_--Begin, Monsieur Poirier.
_Poirier_--You say you are happy, dear Gaston, and that is my greatest
recompense.
_Gaston_--I'm willing to double your gratification.
_Poirier_--But now that three months have been given to the joys of the
honeymoon, I think that there has been romance enough, and that it's
time to think about history.
_Gaston_--You talk like a book. Certainly, we'll think about history if
you wish. I'm willing.
_Poirier_--What do you intend to do?
_Gaston_--To-day?
_Poirier_--And to-morrow, and in the future. You must have some idea.
_Gaston_--True, my plans are made. I expect to do to-day what I did
yesterday, and to-morrow what I shall do to-day. I'm not versatile, in
spite of my light air; and if the future is only like the present I'll
be satisfied.
_Poirier_--But you are too sensible to think that the honeymoon can last
forever.
_Gaston_--Too sensible, and too good an astronomer. But you've probably
read Heine?
_Poirier_--You must have read that, Verdelet?
_Verdelet_--Yes; I've read him.
_Poirier_--Perhaps he spent his life at playing truant.
_Gaston_--Well, Heine, when he was asked what became of the old full
moons, said that they were broken up to make the stars.
_Poirier_--I don't understand.
_Gaston_--When our honeymoon is old, we'll break it up and there'll be
enough to make a whole Milky Way.
_Poirier_--That is a clever idea, of course.
_Gaston_--Its only merit is simplicity.
_Poirier_--But seriously, don't you think that the idle life you lead
may jeopardize the happiness of a young household?
_Gaston_--Not at all.
_Verdelet_--A man of your capacity can't mean to idle all his life.
_Gaston_--With resignation.
_Antoinette_--Don't you think you'll find it dull after a time, Gaston?
_Gaston_--You calumniate yourself, my dear.
_Antoinette_--I'm not vain enough to suppose that I can fill your whole
existence, and I admit that I'd like to see you follow the example of
Monsieur de Montmeyran.
_Gaston_ [_rising and leaning against the mantelpiece_]--Perhaps you
want me to fight?
_Antoinette_--No, of course not.
_Gaston_--What then?
_Poirier_--We want you to take a position worthy of your name.
_Gaston_--There are only three positions which my name permits me:
soldier, bishop, or husbandman. Choose.
_Poirier_--We owe everything to France. France is our mother.
_Verdelet_--I understand the vexation of a son whose mother remarries; I
understand why he doesn't go to the wedding: but if he has the right
kind of heart he won't turn sulky. If the second husband makes her
happy, he'll soon offer him a friendly hand.
_Poirier_--The nobility cannot always hold itself aloof, as it begins to
perceive. More than one illustrious name has set the example: Monsieur
de Valcherrière, Monsieur de Chazerolles, Monsieur de Mont Louis--
_Gaston_--These men have done as they thought best. I don't judge them,
but I cannot imitate them.
_Antoinette_--Why not, Gaston?
_Gaston_--Ask Montmeyran.
_Verdelet_--The Duke's uniform answers for him.
_Duke_--Excuse me, a soldier has but one opinion--his duty; but one
adversary--the enemy.
_Poirier_--However, Monsieur--
_Gaston_--Enough, it isn't a matter of politics, Monsieur Poirier. One
may discuss opinions, but not sentiments. I am bound by gratitude. My
fidelity is that of a servant and of a friend. Not another word. [_To
the Duke_.] I beg your pardon, my dear fellow. This is the first time
we've talked politics here, and I promise you it shall be the last.
_The Duke_ [_in a low voice to Antoinette_]--You've been forced into
making a mistake, Madame.
_Antoinette_--I know it, now that it's too late.
_Verdelet_ [_softly, to Poirier_]--Now you're in a fine fix.
_Poirier_ [_in same tone_]--He's repulsed the first assault, but I don't
raise the siege.
_Gaston_--I'm not resentful, Monsieur Poirier. Perhaps I spoke a little
too strongly, but this is a tender point with me, and unintentionally
you wounded me. Shake hands.
_Poirier_--You are very kind.
_A Servant_--There are some people in the little parlor who say they
have an appointment with Monsieur Poirier.
_Poirier_--Very well, ask them to wait a moment. [_The servant goes
out_.] Your creditors, son-in-law.
_Gaston_--Yours, my dear father-in-law. I've turned them over to you.
_Duke_--As a wedding present.