The Village Coquette; Or, The Supposed Lottery Part 9

Lucas All the world will be beggars except me, because my wealth will divert me. While I am in the grain, I am going to see people cry famine. What a pleasure!

Baron Then, Lucas, do you intend to reach a conclusion for my ardent love?

Lucas They're going to propose to me some pretty expenses, pretty horses, and pretty families to marry into. This business will increase wealth.

I'll buy whatever's for sale.

Girard But, to enn.o.ble you, you would have a gentleman for a son-in-law.

Baron Lisette is waiting for us.

Lucas I'll have all this, indeed, for when one is very rich, one attracts all that for nothing.

Baron You promised me--

Lucas (with an important air) Huh!

Baron To finish--

Lucas What?

Baron Our business.

Lucas What business?

Baron Ours, I have had the notary there, to write the contract. He's waiting only for you. We are agreed between us.

Lucas Ah, I believe that I remember something of it. d.a.m.n, when one has so much business, one thinks only of the best. Yes, we spoke of marriage, but it cannot be. There's only, but a bit--

Girard What do I hear? What, then, you already intend to disown it?

Baron Remember, Lucas, that I was your master.

Girard Lucas, remember that there's great honor, a handsome alliance to have a lord for a son-in-law.

Lucas Oh, it's money which makes the best marriages.

Baron What, you no longer intend?

Lucas I want no part of your lineage.

Baron What?

Lucas But, it's necessary to listen to me. I am a native of this hamlet.

That means, that from friends.h.i.+p, I love your earth, your chateau.

Yet, it's not mine if you become my son-in-law. My opinion is it would be better if you sold it to me.

Baron You're joking, I believe. Sell you my chateau?

Lucas It is all dilapidated, but I will make a lot of improvements.

Baron He's gone crazy.

Girard (low) This rascal scorns you.

Lucas The land will enn.o.ble me. That's what I want of you. While at Paris I increase my money, you keep the land fallow.

Girard You will be his farmer.

Baron (rising) This is too much insolence.

Girard (to Baron) Sir, calm down. I promise you revenge.

Lucas (aside, also rising) This little gentleman, he heard all that. He owes money everywhere, but he believes he is to be respected. But, I will have his chateau.

He'd better leave. He has some creditors. I will have it through the law.

Girard (after having spoken low to the Baron) We have done all, sir, for your good. But to revenge yourself, better say nothing.

(Enter Lisette.)

Lisette I have been looking for you everywhere. Ouf! I'm out of breath. To find you, father, took a lot of trouble. I have run--for they say--but I don't believe it--I heard it everywhere--the Grand Prize. These are the compliments that greet me everywhere. They say a hundred thousand francs. Is it true, father?

Lucas True.

Lisette (impressed) A hundred thousand francs!

(Enter Argon and the Widow.)

Argon (who runs after her) Well, are you fleeing from me? Speak! Since you've heard about the lottery, and you know the news, you scorn me.

Lisette Yes.

Argon This is a handsome fortune. But, it ought not to attract your scorn to me. Answer me, at least. Will you marry me?

Lisette I obey my father. He has told me that he wishes to defer this business. (low to Lucas and making a sign with her eyes to him) Tell him that it's you who refuse.

Lucas Good, good.

Lisette That costs nothing. Get me off.

Lucas No.

Lisette (signaling with her eyes) Tell them something that will end my engagement, at least.

Lucas Eh! You trouble yourself too much about them. Leave off your winking. Not necessary for any polish. You have what you need to marry.

Widow Her father covets her, the opulent fool. Foolishness that he doesn't try to excuse.

Argon By her own fault, she herself disabused me. As for me, so as not to risk another love trick, I'm engaging myself to you.