The Stepmother, A Drama in Five Acts

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Оноре де Бальзак

Жанр

Зарубежная классика

Год написания книги

2017

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Vernon (outside)

May I come in, Pauline?

Gertrude

It is the doctor.

SCENE SECOND

The same persons and Vernon.

Gertrude

You told me that she would soon awake.

Vernon

Don't be alarmed. (Calling aloud) Pauline! Pauline!

Pauline (awakening)

O M. Vernon! Where am I? Ah! In my own room. What has happened to me?

Vernon My child, you fell asleep while you were taking your tea. Madame de Grandchamp feared as I did that this was the beginning of a sickness; but it is no such thing. It is altogether, as it seems to me, the consequence of a night without sleep.

Gertrude

And now, Pauline, how do you feel?

Pauline

I have been sleeping – and madame was here while I slept! (She starts up; puts her hand upon her bosom.) Ah! It is outrageous! (To Vernon)

Doctor, can you have been an accomplice?

Gertrude

An accomplice in what? What were you going to say?

Vernon

I! my child! Could you suppose that I was the accomplice of an evil action wrought against you, whom I love as if you were my daughter?

Don't speak of such a thing as that! But come, tell me?

Pauline

There is nothing, doctor, nothing to say!

Gertrude

Let me speak a few words to her.

Vernon (aside) What possible motive can there be for a young child to keep silence, when she is the victim of such an act of treachery as this?

Gertrude (in a low voice to Pauline) So you see, Pauline, you didn't long keep in your possession the proofs which you intended taking to your father in your ridiculous accusation of me!

Pauline I understand all; you gave me a narcotic in order to deprive me of them.

Gertrude

We are equally inquisitive. I have done to you what you did to me in

Ferdinand's apartments.

Pauline

You are triumphant now, madame, but it will soon be my turn.

Gertrude

The war, then, is to continue?

Pauline

War, madame? Call it a duel! One or the other of us must go.

Gertrude

You are tragic.

Vernon (aside) There appears to be no outbreak between them, nor the least misunderstanding! – But stay, an idea strikes me; suppose I go and look for Ferdinand?

(Vernon prepares to go out.)

Gertrude

Doctor!

Vernon

Madame?

Gertrude We must have a talk together. (Whispering) I shall not leave you until you have given me back —

Vernon

I stated to you the sole condition —