The Princess of Bagdad: A Play In Three Acts

John

In a case like this the intention is enough.

The Commissary

We are not here to judge according to intentions, but to state according to facts.

JOHN (picking up Lionnette's veils).

What more do you require than this triple veil, which proves that my wife has come here concealing her face, as I saw, in short, for I followed her? A strange manner to enter her own house, since she maintains it to be her's. (Pointing to Lionnette.) Look at this, sir; what more do you require?

The Commissary

Be as calm as possible, sir; the law will do its duty, however painful it may be. (He dictates.) Still, the attitude and bearing of the Lady de Hun, at the moment of our entrance, was at least suspicious. Her hair was half falling on her shoulders.

Nourvady (to The Commissary)

Be good enough to note, sir, that at this point of your accusation I interrupted you, and that I affirmed most emphatically and on my word of honour the complete and perfect innocence of the Countess Lionnette de Hun, whose honour, whatever the appearances may be, should not be doubted for a moment.

Lionnette (very calm at first, but gradually exciting herself to frenzy)

And I, in the face of the scandal that my husband wished to create, and, though appreciating the motive of Mr. Nourvady's affirmation, which it is every honourable man's duty to make who wishes to save a woman's honour, I declare it false; and the facts that the law cannot prove I declare absolutely true. Mr. Nourvady was shut up here with me, by my wish, because he was, because he is, my lover.

John (running towards her. The Commissary puts himself between them.)

Madam!

Lionnette

Whatever may be the punishment of the adulteress, I merit it. (To the Secretary, who hesitates.) Write, sir, I have not finished. Write. (She rises, and walks to the table where the Secretary is writing.) So that there may not, by any possibility, be any mistake in the scandalous trials that will follow this scene, and in order that my husband may not have to accuse himself of casting upon me an unjust and hasty suspicion, I declare that not only have I given myself to Mr. Nourvady because I loved him, but because he is rich and I am poor; that after having ruined my husband I sold myself, so incapable was I of bearing poverty. The price of my fall is there: a million in gold struck expressly for me! My husband, there, was right yesterday, when he treated me like a prostitute. I am one, and very happy to be so. And if what I have told you does not convince you; if proofs are necessary, there they are! (She steeps her bare arms in the gold, and throws handfuls of it all round her.To John.) And you, sir, if you are in want of money, take some; after the baseness that you commit at this moment, there remains only this for you to do.

John (going towards her; she looks in his face; John falls on a chair.)

Madam!.. Ah!

Lionnette (to Nourvady.)

And now do you believe that I am entirely yours?

John

In the face of the insolence and audacity of the accused, I require her immediate arrest.

The Commissary

I know the rights that the law gives me, and the duties that I have to fulfil. All that has been said has been recorded in the accusation; I limit my office to that. (To Nourvady.) As you are not in your own house, sir, you can retire; only as the avenue is full of people in front of the principal entrance, leave the house by this exit: one of my agents will join you, in order that the policeman may allow you to pass. (He points to the left. Nourvady bows to Lionnette and goes out by the left, passing in front of John, who, standing with his arms folded, pretends not to see the provoking salute Nourvady gives him.)

The Commissary (to Lionnette)

With regard to you, Madam, as you are in your own house, enter, I beg of you, into your apartment, and if you wish to go out, do not go till some time after our departure, when there will be no longer inquisitive persons outside, and you will be sure not to be insulted.

Lionnette

Thank you, sir.

(She goes out by the door at the right).

The Commissary (to John)

I am going to deliver my report to the Judge. You have ten days to withdraw your complaint, sir – a complaint that perhaps you were very wrong to bring. That woman accuses herself too much. I believe her to be innocent. Go out of this house before me, sir; the people saw us come in together, and if we go out in the same way they will recognise you as the husband, and they might say disagreeable things to you. The French people do not approve of husbands who surprise their wives by the appearance of a Commissary of Police. I have the honour to wish you good morning.

(John bows to him and goes away. The Commissary comes back and sits down near his Secretary, to complete the last formalities.)

ACT III

The same decorations as in the first Act.

Scene I

JOHN, GODLER, TRÉVELÉ

(Godler is sitting down, Trévelé standing. John is walking about in great agitation.)

Godler

And then?

John (sitting down)

Then, just as I was going to start for my sister's house, and everybody thought me gone, for I had no wish to sleep in this house, suddenly I was seized with the idea of concealing myself, and following my wife if she went out, so as to convince myself, and if she deceived me to disgrace her publicly. This morning I saw her go out veiled, take a cab, and alight at that house in the Champs Elysées. It was very clear. I went to fetch a Commissary of Police, who lives close by that house. He hesitated at first, but the fear of a greater misfortune, of a crime that I was resolved to commit, decided him to go; and on the refusal of Mr. Nourvady to open the door, they forced it open.

Trévelé

And the Countess was there?

John

Yes.

Trévelé

With Nourvady?

John

Yes.

Godler (after a little while)