The Stepmother, A Drama in Five Acts

Автор

Оноре де Бальзак

Жанр

Зарубежная классика

Год написания книги

2017

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Gertrude

I am going to prepare another cup for you.

Pauline Oh, no, madame, this will be quite enough! I would sooner wait for the doctor.

(Pauline sets down the empty cup on the table.)

SCENE SIXTEENTH

The same persons and Felix, then Godard.

Felix (looking inquiringly at Pauline)

M. Godard asks if you will see him?

Pauline

Certainly.

Gertrude (leaving the room)

What do you intend saying to him.

Pauline

Wait and see.

Godard (entering) I am sorry that mademoiselle is indisposed. I did not know it. I will not intrude. (They offer him a chair.) Mademoiselle, allow me to thank you above all for the kindness you have shown in receiving me in this sanctuary of innocence. Madame de Grandchamp and your father have just informed me of something which would have overwhelmed me with happiness yesterday, but rather astonishes me to-day.

The General

That is to say, M. Godard —

Pauline Do not be hasty, father, M. Godard is right. You do not know all I said to him yesterday.

Godard You are far too clever, mademoiselle, not to consider as quite natural the curiosity of an honorable young man, who has an income of forty thousand francs, besides his savings, to learn of the reason why he should be accepted after a lapse of twenty-four hours from his rejection – For, yesterday, it was at this very hour – (He pulls out his watch) Half-past five —

The General What do you mean by all this? It looks as if you are not as much in love as you said you were. You have come here to complain of a charming girl at the very moment when she has told you —

Godard

I would not complain, if the subject were not marriage. Marriage,

General, is at once the cause and the effect of sentiment.

The General

Pardon me, Godard, I am a little hasty, as you know.

Pauline (to Godard) Sir – (Aside) Oh, how I suffer! (Aloud) Sir, why should poor young girls —

Godard Poor? No, no, mademoiselle; you are not poor. You have four hundred thousand francs.

Pauline

Why should weak young girls —

Godard

Weak?

Pauline Well, then, innocent young persons – be so very fastidious about the character of the man who presents himself as their lord and master? If you love me, will you punish yourself – will you punish me – because your love has been submitted to a test?

Godard

Of course, from that point of view —

The General

Oh! These women! These women!

Godard

You may just as well say, "These daughters."

The General

Yes, for I am quite sure that mine has more brains than I have.

SCENE SEVENTEENTH

The same persons, Gertrude and then Napoleon.

Gertrude

How has it turned out, M. Godard?

Godard

Ah, Madame! General! My happiness is complete, and my dream fulfilled.

For now I am to be admitted into a family like yours. To think that I

– Ah! Madame! General! (Aside) I'd like to find out the mystery, for she has precious little love for me.

Napoleon (entering)

Papa, I have won the school medal – Good-day, mamma – and where is