Pierrepont Edwards

“ Mademoiselle, you are a singular instance of a well known fact.
Mlle H. And what may that be, sir?
Man. That the cleverest people sometimes do the silliest things. Had you been a simple, uneducated rustic, you would have reflected seriously before you lowered yourself in the opinion of the man you professed to love. But, as you are—accomplished, shrewd, and resolute, you have taken the worst road by which to gain the end you coveted. ”

“ Alain. Now really I do thank Madame for deputing me to wait more especially on Monsieur Manuel. Steward or no steward, he's a perfect gentleman; of that there can't be a doubt. What a pity it is that Mademoiselle Marguerite and he don't like one another. When he says white, she says black. When she goes one way, he goes another, yet everybody else likes him. M'lle Helonin, our Governess, is absolutely in love with him, and the wonderful influence he has obtained over old Mons. Laroque, in this short time, is unaccountable. ”

“ Behold the proud gentleman, who completes his list of honorable actions by ensnaring the affections of that unthinking girl—the betrothed wife of another, the daughter of his benefactress. [Madame Laroque and Desmarets raise Marguerite, who is almost fainting.] Well, you hear all this; you witness it—you are men and stir not—your friend is betrayed—an aged lady insulted in your presence, yet there stands the man, erect and fearless. ”

“ Mademoiselle, permit me to express for you my sincere pity.
Mar. Sir!
Man. Permit me to express for you my sincere pity.
Mar. Your pity?
Man. Yes, madame—if unjust suspicion be the bitter fruit of experience in one so young. Nothing can merit more compassion than a heart withered by misbelief, almost before it has begun to exist.
Mar. Are you aware of what you say, sir? Are you aware to whom you speak?
Man. Entirely conscious, Mademoiselle, of both. ”

“ If I could only extend my transforming powers to the faces of the family, I should be much gratified, for such a grim-looking household exists not in Brittany at this moment. There's M'lle Marguerite. The nearer the time approaches for the marriage, the paler she grows. Madame Laroque does nothing but freeze and shiver, Mons. Manuel is absent for days together, and Madame Aubrey weeps a good tea-cup full about every two hours. ”

“ Somewhat, perhaps, but her general manner appears to me more the result of a sad and gloomy thoughtfulness, than mere pride.
Alain. Ah, well, I suppose, sir, that, like most young ladies of her age, she's a little bit in love.
Man. In love?
Alain. Yes, sir, Monsieur de Bevannes has been paying her great attention for some time past, and it would be a grand match, for, after Monsieur Laroque, he is the richest gentleman in the neighborhood, and of excellent family. Ah, sir, what a pity it is you are not rich. ”

“ 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. ”

“ Re-enter Marguerite.
Mar. [Aside.] As I supposed. Have the kindness, sir, to return me that flower. I am not in the habit of presenting boquets to—gentlemen.
Man. Under which conviction, Mademoiselle, I was on the point of bringing it to you. [Pg 28]
Mar. [Aside.] Oh! for some way to make him feel how I despise him. Do you know, M. Manuel, seeing so little of you, lately, I was under the impression that death had deprived us of another steward—
Man. Highly flattered that you should condescend to be under any impressions concerning so insignificant a person. ”

“ Mad. V. Ah, my Lord, if you knew how you wound my heart. Come now, you shall pay me for the dinner—there—you shall put the money into my hand the moment you have it. But indeed, indeed, if you were to give me a hundred thousand francs, it would not cause me half the pleasure that I should feel in seeing you eat my poor little dinner. Oh, surely, surely, you can comprehend that.
Man. I do, Louise, I do—and as I can't give you the hundred thousand francs, why, I'll eat your dinner.
Mad. V. No; will you?
Man. Louise, your hand. Don't be alarmed, I'm not going to put money into it. ”

“ Desmarets.
Des. Yes, that's what you'll all be, if you continue to lounge away the days as you do.
Mad. L. Ah, Doctor, we've missed you dreadfully.
Des. What's the matter? anybody sick?
Bev. You ought to have been here just now, Doctor; Madame Aubrey has told the most touching tale—
Des. Of a donkey? I know, I've heard it often.
Bev. But with regard to a horse for M. Manuel. There's Black Harry—
Des. Black Harry! Nobody can ride the brute! He's perfectly untameable! Why, de Bevannes, you tried it yourself and couldn't. ”

“ Do you think I am the man to step between two devoted young creatures for my own selfish ends? No! The moment I found the dear girl was penniless, I destroyed the contract, and in the most generous manner, gave her back her word.
Mad. L. I won't go near her. I do believe she'd bite me. Doctor, will you have the goodness?
Des. [To Mlle Helouin.] Mademoiselle, you were very anxious just now for somebody to turn out—I don't wish to be ungallant—but what is going to take place here will coincide so little with your arrangements, that the ladies think—that perhaps—
Mlle H. Enough, sir. [To Manuel.] ”

“ Well, I was going to compliment you on the vast affection and confidence you have inspired in poor old Laroque.
Man. I believe he really has a kindly regard for me.
Bev. Regard! my dear sir—you are absolutely wound around his heart. His affection for his grand-daughter is very great, but no one has the influence over him that you have. Now, in the strictest confidence, I'm going to be very frank with you—and mark me well, you will not find it to your disadvantage hereafter, if you are equally frank with me. ”

“ Exit at back—Bevannes comes down to Marquis.
Mad. L. Sir, we are indebted to you for devoting your talents to our service; we really require them, for we have the misfortune to be immensely rich.
Mad. A. Misfortune, dear?
Mad. L. Yes, love; wealth is a heavy burthen.
Mad. A. But a very pleasant one.
Mad. L. You'd find it hard to bear, dear.
Mad. A. I should like to try, darling.
Mad. L. I feel that I was born for the devotion and self-sacrifice entailed by poverty. Ah! my dear Bevannes, should I not have made an excellent Sister of Charity? ”

“ Night comes on, the moon lighting the scene beyond. Marguerite comes down from tower, aided by Manuel.
Mar. There comes the night, in good earnest; fortunately, the moon will help us to regain our horses. Come, sir, let us hasten. ”

“ 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. ”

“ I do not perceive it. A person may be honest and well-behaved, although he does happen to play on the piano.
Bev. I don't know that; I flatter myself I have seen something of the world, and experience has specially taught me to beware of the man who plays the piano.
Mar. Mamma, dear, will you hand me those scissors?
Mad. L. Yes, my child. [Perceives Manuel's portfolio.] Whose drawing-book is this?
Mar. That? oh! that is the steward's—I saw it in his hand when he came in.
Mad. L. I positively must take a peep. Oh! De Bevannes, look! beautiful! What a charming accomplishment it is to draw well. ”

“ Doctor—
Des. Manuel is his Christian name. I suppose he may make what use of it he pleases. Whether he puts it first or last, is nobody's business but his own.
Mar. His motive?
Des. His motive, Mademoiselle, is worthy of himself, and proceeds from a sense of honest pride, which many would do well to imitate. He is a gentleman, and a man of honor, reduced to sudden poverty, and compelled to labor for a livelihood. ”

“ I thought that so gifted a gentleman could hardly do anything without a motive, and now I am informed that your absence is attributable to the fact that you spend all your evenings with our noble relative, Mademoiselle Delonnais. ”

“ When there's nothing else in a man's pocket, he had better put his pride there, and button it up tight.
Mad. V. Some day, sir, we shall find that he has taken poison, or cut his throat.
Des. Ah! and then there'll be nothing to dust.
Mad. V. Monsieur, I repeat it—you're unfeeling. But I, who loved and served his dear mother, whom he so much resembles—
Des. Not a bit—hasn't a look of her. The father, the father all over.
Mad. V. Of course. So you always say, and everybody knows why. You loved the poor Marchioness, offered her your hand, and she preferred the Marquis. ”

“ 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.
SCENE II.—A hall in the Chateau. Enter Bevannes and Alain, meeting.
Bev. Alain, who arrived just now?
Alain. The Doctor, sir. He's gone to Monsieur Laroque's room.
Bev. Is Mademoiselle Marguerite's carriage ready for me?
Alain. Quite ready, Monsieur.
Bev. Very well. Tell the ladies I shall be back in an hour, at most.
Alain. You'll have to drive fast, sir, to do it in the time. ”

“ Man. Assuredly I do. Wealth can afford to humble itself—poverty cannot.
Mar. [As she is going, turns with a haughty humility.] Then, sir, I ask your pardon.
[Exit.
Man. Oh! my sister, my darling Rose! It needs all my love for thee to make endurance of these insults less than cowardice! Coldness and antipathy have increased to absolute hate and persecution. She is determined to drive me hence. She will succeed at last, and then—
Enter Doctor Desmarets.
Ah! my dear Doctor!
Des. I've eaten some lunch, had the dust brushed off, and now I'm going to brush some more on. [Pg 29]
Man. How so? ”

“ I merely came to Paris on your account. [Manuel lets go his fork to shake hands with the Doctor, who puts the fork into his hand again.] Well, among the families with whom I am most intimate, there is one, in particular, of great wealth and importance. The name is Laroque. The family have had for some years past, a managing man, a steward, who never was worth much. ”

“ One word from you as to the proper disposition of the money would—
Man. Monsieur de Bevannes, let me end this at once, by telling you that, in my opinion, any interference from me in the family affairs of M. Laroque, would be a gross and unseemly abuse of his confidence.
Bev. And this is the return you make for mine?
Man. I did not solicit it, sir.
Bev. Sir, permit me to take your hand.
Man. Really—
Bev. You have stood the test, you are a noble fellow. You are—
Enter Madame Aubrey. ”

“ Oh, sir.
Mad. L. But do you not agree with me?
Bev. In what?
Mad. L. That wealth is a heavy responsibility.
Bev. Doubtless. But then you have the comfort of knowing that there are always some devoted friends willing to relieve you.
Mad. L. [Rings.] But my fortune is not mine to dispose of—for my duty obliges me to preserve it for my child. [Pg 13]
Enter Alain.
Alain, show this gentleman to his apartments—but first, you must be introduced to my father-in-law. Ask if Monsieur Laroque can see the gentleman. [Exit Alain—Manuel up stage.] And now, we will take a stroll to the conservatory. ”

“ There is, among my patients, a retired merchant, one who has been able, by indefatigable industry in trade, to amass a very handsome fortune. His daughter, an only a child, and of course, the father's darling, has, by chance, become acquainted with the state of your affairs. ”

“ Aubrey.
Mar. My poor grandfather; spite of his failing memory, he sees through the disinterestedness of our good cousin Aubrey. But those wild words, his terror at the appearance of this young man, what could that mean? Or had it any meaning? [Sees Mad. Laroque and Manuel coming in at back.] My mother—and leaning on the arm of that person!
Mad. L. Precisely my own opinion, sir, my impression exactly; this is really charming; we agree upon every point.
Man. I am flattered, Madame, to think such should be the case.
Bev. [Without.] 'Pon my honor, young ladies, I can't, I really can't! ”

“ Turns and perceives Manuel, who, during the preceding dialogue, has entered into conversation with the ladies, and has, by this time, offered his arm to two of them—They all accompany him off.
Bev. [Aside.] Well, if I were given to strong sentiments, I should wish that fellow at the deuce. As it is, I'll content myself with simply damning his impudence.
Mad. L. Do you know, my dear, that I don't feel quite easy in my mind about that young man.
Bev. [Aside.] Nor I, either.
Mar. Why not, mamma?
Mad. L. He is much too charming to make a good steward. ”