The Princess of Bagdad: A Play In Three Acts

Why do you care so much about those letters?

Lionnette

You ask me that, Mr. Richard? Why do I care so much for the letters of a father whom I loved, who loved me, the man who was my father, and who is dead?

Richard

What do you intend to do with them?

Lionnette

To keep them, to read them over again, as I do now from time to time, when the living trouble or disgust me; and when I die, carry them with me and give them back to him – to him – if it be true that one meets again in death those one has loved in life. Who knows? Perhaps, after being so powerful on earth, he will have no one but me in heaven. So I must keep something by which he may know me – up there – since he was not able to recognize me here below.

John (to Richard)

How can one help worshipping that woman? (He takes her head between his hands and kisses her hair.) There.

Richard (taking the hand of Lionnette)

The fact is that she has the blood of a good race in her, and that they named you very appropriately, calling you Lionnette – little lioness; but unfortunately it is not with that that creditors are paid, and I offer you the only way which is open to you.

Lionnette

God has hitherto given, God will give again; if He forget us, then chance must take us.

Scene II

GODLER, NOURVADY, TRÉVELÉ

Trévelé (going towards Lionnette.)

Tell me, Countess, are we, yes or no, Godler the ever youthful, Nourvady the ever grave, and I, Trévelé, the ever jesting – are we, yes or no, invited by you, Countess, the ever beautiful, and by your husband, the ever blissful (it would be difficult for him to be otherwise) – are we, yes or no, invited to dine at your table and to spend the evening with you afterwards?

Lionnette

Yes.

Trévelé

Then, lovely countess, permit me to observe that you are never where we are. Kindly give us information. When one sees you one loves you; but when one loves you where does one see you?

Lionnette (smiling)

Here.

Trévelé

We supposed so, but it is now two hours since…

Lionnette

Oh! not two hours!

Trévelé

Three hours ago you forsook us in the middle of the conservatory. First, a domestic came to look for the count; we accepted that affliction: but, in your turn, you disappeared without even troubling any one to come and look for you. Well, we are all three charming – Godler, Nourvady, and I; it is difficult to find three more delightful and witty men, but we have such a habit of seeing each other that we do not enjoy ourselves at all when we are by ourselves. So if, after having us for seven hours, you discover you have had enough of us, tell us so without ceremony. We are going to drive back to the club, where we shall have a good game of baccarat; we will try, Godler and I, to win a hundred thousand francs from that millionaire Nourvady; – that will make him cheerful, perhaps.

Lionnette

Gentlemen, I offer you every excuse. It was on account of a most important and unforeseen affair. (She presents Richard.) Master Richard, solicitor, an old friend of mine. (She introduces the gentlemen.) Mr. de Trévelé, Mr. Godler, Mr. Nourvady. (The gentlemen bow.) And now, to strengthen you after all your fatigue and trouble, I am going to offer you a cup of tea, iced coffee, or chocolate.

(She approaches the table, upon which, during this discourse, the servants have put the articles mentioned.)

Raoul (entering with his nurse, who remains near the door, and going to his mother)

Mamma!

Lionnette

Gentlemen, here is my son, whom I beg to present to you. Bow, Raoul.

(Raoul bows already like a man of the world, putting his heels together and bending his head; Trévelé and Godler kiss him; Nourvady kisses his hand, after hesitating a moment; Raoul goes back to his mother, who kisses him, putting her arm round his neck.)

Raoul

Take care, you will crumple my collar.

Lionnette

I beg your pardon, I wanted to kiss you. You don't love me, then?

Raoul

Oh, yes, I love you very much.

Lionnette

Then you are going to help me pour out the tea?

Raoul

No; I came to ask not to go to bed yet. I should prefer to play with Jane's little nephew, who has come with his mother to see her, but she will not let me without your permission.

Lionnette

Very well, I give you leave. Run away now, my child.

Raoul