The Stepmother, A Drama in Five Acts

Автор

Оноре де Бальзак

Жанр

Зарубежная классика

Год написания книги

2017

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Napoleon

Papa, what is justice?

The General

Gentlemen, justice ought not to commit errors of this kind.

Gertrude There seems to be always something fatal in this justice! And this poor man will always bear a bad name from your arrival here.

Ramel Madame, for the innocent there is nothing fatal in criminal justice. You see that Champagne has been promptly discharged. (Fixing his eyes upon Gertrude.) Those who live without reproach, who indulge no passions, save the noble and the lawful, have nothing to fear from justice.

Gertrude Sir, you do not know the people of this country. Ten years from this time they will say that Champagne poisoned his wife, that the officers of justice came to investigate and, but for our protection —

The General

Say no more, Gertrude. These gentlemen have done only their duty.

(Felix prepares the coffee.) Gentlemen, can I offer you a cup of coffee?

The Magistrate

Thank you, General; the urgency of this affair called me away from home rather suddenly, and my wife is waiting dinner for me at

Louviers. (He goes on the veranda to talk with the doctor.)

The General (to Ramel)

You are a friend of Ferdinand's, I believe?

Ramel Yes, General, and you have in him the noblest heart, the most spotless integrity, the most charming character that I have ever met.

Pauline

This state's attorney seems to be a very kind man!

Godard (aside) And why does she say that? Is it because he praised M. Ferdinand? Ah! there's something there!

Gertrude (to Ramel)

Whenever you have any moments to spare, you must come to see M. de

Charny. (To the General) Would not that be nice, dear?

The Magistrate (coming in from the veranda) M. de la Grandiere, our physician, agrees with Doctor Vernon that this death resulted from Asiatic cholera. We beg, therefore, that you, countess, and you, count, will excuse us for having disturbed, even for a moment, the tranquillity of your charming household.

Ramel (to Gertrude in the front of the stage) Take care! God never protects undertakings so rash as yours. I have discovered all. Give up Ferdinand, leave his life free, and be satisfied with the happiness of a wife. The path which you are following leads to crime.

Gertrude

I'll die before I give him up!

Ramel (aside)

I must get Ferdinand away from this place.

(Ramel beckons to Ferdinand, takes his arm, and goes out with him after exchange of formal bows.)

The General At last we are rid of them! (To Gertrude) Let the coffee be handed round.

Gertrude

Pauline, kindly ring for the coffee.

(Pauline rings.)

SCENE FOURTH

The same persons, excepting Ferdinand, Ramel, the Magistrate and

Baudrillon.

Godard (aside) I shall find out presently whether Pauline loves Ferdinand. This urchin, who wants to know about justice, seems to me pretty cute; I'll make use of him.

(Felix appears.)

Gertrude

The coffee.

(Felix brings in the tray.)

Godard (who has taken Napoleon aside)

Would you like to play a nice trick on somebody?

Napoleon

That I would. Do you know one?

Godard

Come with me, and I'll tell you how you must do it.

(Godard goes on the veranda with Napoleon.)

The General

Pauline, my coffee. (Pauline brings it to him.) It isn't sweet enough.