The Princess of Bagdad: A Play In Three Acts

Trévelé

But I am not a bird.

Godler

And he hits the mark eleven times out of twelve, and barely escapes the twelfth.

Nourvady

Fortunately I have an easy temper, which I have acquired by self-control, for I was naturally violent and irritable.

Godler

That poor Marnepont discovered something of that.

Nourvady

Don't let us speak of that.

Lionnette

Oh, yes, please let us speak of it. I knew Mr. de Marnepont very well, and I have heard in fact that he was killed. By you, then?

Nourvady

Alas! yes, madam.

Lionnette

In a duel?

Nourvady

Certainly. I did not assassinate him.

Lionnette

He was very annoying.

Nourvady

That was not the only reason of his death. He had other defects. He was insolent, and, above all, a liar.

Lionnette

What insolence was he guilty of? What lie did he tell? I will wager there was a woman in the case.

(Richard is gone. John hears all that is said, leaning upon the back of the couch where his wife is sitting.)

Nourvady

No, madam, it concerned me pitifully. Mr. de Marnepont calumniated me. He said I was hump-backed, which is not true. I have only the left shoulder a little higher than the right.

Lionnette

That is not seen at all.

Nourvady

It is not seen any longer, especially since that duel. In any case, no one says any more about it. My father, it is true, had a round back – at the close of his life principally. He had worked hard, stooping over a desk. That makes one round-shouldered in the end. Poor father! he said to me: "You have one shoulder higher than the other, the left; you get that from me; I ask your pardon for it, and I will endeavour to leave you what will make you forget it. But there are some people who will mock much more willingly at you as you will be very rich. Be strong in all sword-play, then; that will equalize everything." I followed the advice of my father, and I am astonished at the result. Then, as Mr. de Marnepont was a very good shot, I chose the pistol as our weapon. I was affronted, so wished to show him what good play was. We were allowed to fire at will; he fired first, and lodged a ball in my right shoulder, which naturally made me make this movement (he raises his right shoulder a little), for it was very painful, and I suffer from it often still. There are some days when my right arm is as if paralyzed. Whoever would get the better of me if I affronted him, has only to choose the sword; I should probably be killed at the second thrust.

Trévelé

And Marnepont?

Nourvady

Ah, well! In making the movement occasioned by the pain, this shoulder was for the moment higher than that. (He raises the right arm a little.) "Ah, said my opponent, laughing, I made a mistake, it is the right which is highest." It was not bad – for him, but it was bad taste. Then I fired. It was the first time that poor fellow showed any wit; he wasn't used to it; it killed him.

Godler (quite low to Trévelé)

He wants to rise in the estimation of our hostess; he is a clever fellow.

Lionnette (looking at Nourvady, who is going towards Godler and Trévelé, one sitting and the other standing at the other side of the room)

He is peculiar, that man.

John

Do you find him odd?

Lionnette

Yes, he is so unlike any one else.

John

Indeed?

Lionnette

What is the matter with you? What are you thinking about?

John

I am thinking that that odd man is very happy.

Lionnette