The Stepmother, A Drama in Five Acts Part 27

Gertrude (to the General, who seems as if he were bewildered by the last words of Vernon) What is the matter with you?

The General (pa.s.sing before Gertrude to the side of Pauline) Nothing, nothing! Tell me, my little Pauline, is your engagement with G.o.dard to be quite voluntary?

Pauline Quite voluntary.

Gertrude (aside) Ah!

The General He will be here soon.

Pauline I am expecting him.

The General (aside) There is a tremendous amount of bitterness in her tone.

(Marguerite appears with a tea-cup.)

Gertrude It is too soon, Marguerite, the infusion can't yet be strong enough!

(She tastes it.) I must go and prepare it myself.

Marguerite I have always been in the habit of waiting upon Mlle. Pauline.

Gertrude What do you mean by speaking to me in this tone?

Marguerite But--madame--

The General Marguerite, if you say another word, we shall fall out.

Pauline Marguerite, you may just as well let Madame de Grandchamp have her way.

(Gertrude goes out with Marguerite.)

The General And so my little girl has not much confidence in the father who loves her so? Come now! Tell me why you so distinctly refused G.o.dard yesterday, and yet, accept him to-day?

Pauline I suppose it is a young girl's whim.

The General Are you in love with anybody else?

Pauline It is because I am not in love with anybody else that I consent to marry your friend M. G.o.dard!

(Gertrude comes in with Marguerite.)

The General Ah!

Gertrude Take this, my darling, but be careful, for it is a little hot.

Pauline Thank you, mother!

The General Mother! Truly, this is enough to drive one crazy with perplexity!

Pauline Marguerite, bring me the sugar basin!

(While Marguerite goes out and Gertrude talks with the General, Pauline drops the poison into the cup and lets fall the paper which contained it.)

Gertrude (to the General) You seem to be indisposed?

The General My dear, I cannot understand women; I am like G.o.dard.

(Marguerite comes back.)

Gertrude You are like all other men.

Pauline (hurriedly drinking the poisoned cup) Ah!

Gertrude How are you now, my child?

Pauline I am better.

Gertrude I am going to prepare another cup for you.

Pauline Oh, no, madame, this will be quite enough! I would sooner wait for the doctor.

(Pauline sets down the empty cup on the table.)

SCENE SIXTEENTH

The same persons and Felix, then G.o.dard.

Felix (looking inquiringly at Pauline) M. G.o.dard asks if you will see him?

Pauline Certainly.

Gertrude (leaving the room) What do you intend saying to him.

Pauline Wait and see.

G.o.dard (entering) I am sorry that mademoiselle is indisposed. I did not know it. I will not intrude. (They offer him a chair.) Mademoiselle, allow me to thank you above all for the kindness you have shown in receiving me in this sanctuary of innocence. Madame de Grandchamp and your father have just informed me of something which would have overwhelmed me with happiness yesterday, but rather astonishes me to-day.

The General That is to say, M. G.o.dard--

Pauline Do not be hasty, father, M. G.o.dard is right. You do not know all I said to him yesterday.

G.o.dard You are far too clever, mademoiselle, not to consider as quite natural the curiosity of an honorable young man, who has an income of forty thousand francs, besides his savings, to learn of the reason why he should be accepted after a lapse of twenty-four hours from his rejection--For, yesterday, it was at this very hour--(He pulls out his watch) Half-past five--

The General What do you mean by all this? It looks as if you are not as much in love as you said you were. You have come here to complain of a charming girl at the very moment when she has told you--