The Stepmother, A Drama in Five Acts

Автор

Оноре де Бальзак

Жанр

Зарубежная классика

Год написания книги

2017

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Pauline (aside)

How this fool startled me.

(Pauline rises from her seat and Vernon takes the teacup from her hand.)

Vernon

Let me take it, my child.

The General (to his wife)

What ails you, dearest? You seem —

Vernon (who has retained Pauline's cup and returned his own in its place to Gertrude. Aside) It is laudanum; fortunately the dose is light; but it is very certain that something is about to happen. (To Godard) M. Godard, you are a crafty fox. (Godard takes out his handkerchief as if to blow his nose.) Ah!

Godard

Doctor, I bear no ill-will.

Vernon Listen! Do you think that you could carry off the General to the factory and keep him there for an hour.

Godard

I would like to have that youngster to help me.

Vernon

He is at school until dinner-time.

Godard

Why do you wish me to do this?

Vernon Now I beg of you, for you are a good fellow, to do as I bid you; it is necessary. Do you love Pauline?

Godard I did love her yesterday, but this morning – (Aside) I must find out what he is concealing from me. (To Vernon) It shall be done! I will go on to the veranda and come back again with a message that Ferdinand sends for the General. You may rely upon me. Ah! Here is Ferdinand himself, that is all right!

(Godard goes on the veranda.)

Pauline

'Tis peculiar, how drowsy I feel.

(Pauline lies down on the divan; Ferdinand appears and talks with

Godard.)

SCENE TENTH

The same persons and Ferdinand.

Ferdinand General, it will be necessary for you to come to the office and the factory in order to verify my accounts.

The General

That is only just to you.

Pauline (drowsily)

Ferdinand!

Godard Ah, General, I'll take advantage of this occasion to visit your establishment with you, for I have never seen it.

The General

Very good, come along, Godard.

Godard

De Rimonville.

Gertrude (aside)

If they go away, fortune will favor me indeed.

Vernon (who has overheard her, aside)

Fortune, in this case, is represented by me —

SCENE ELEVENTH

Gertrude, Vernon, Pauline, and later Marguerite.

Gertrude

Doctor, would you like another cup of tea?

Vernon Thank you, but I am so deep in the election returns that I have not yet finished my first cup.

Gertrude (pointing to Pauline)

Poor child, you see she is sleeping?

Vernon

How is this? She is sleeping?

Gertrude It is no wonder. Imagine, doctor, she did not go to sleep until three o'clock in this morning. We were greatly disturbed last night.