The Stepmother, A Drama in Five Acts

Vernon

Poor child! There she falls asleep again. What shall the waking be?

(Ferdinand sits down again and takes the hand of Pauline.)

SCENE FIFTH

The same persons, Ramel, the Investigating Magistrate, a Doctor, a

Corporal of Police and Marguerite.

Marguerite M. Vernon, the magistrates are here. M. Ferdinand, you must leave the room.

(Exit Ferdinand.)

Ramel Take care, corporal, that all the entrances of this house are guarded, and observe our orders! Doctor, can we remain here a few moments without danger to the sick lady?

Vernon

She is asleep, sir; and it is her last slumber.

Marguerite Here is the cup into which the infusion was poured and which still has traces of arsenic; I perceived it there as soon as I took hold of it.

The Doctor (examining the cup and tasting the contents)

It is evident that the liquid contains some poisonous substance.

The Magistrate Please to make an analysis of it. (He sees Marguerite picking up a small piece of paper from the ground.) What paper is that?

Marguerite

Oh, it is nothing.

Ramel In such cases as these, nothing is insignificant in the eyes of magistrates! Yes, gentlemen, we shall have to examine this paper later. What can have delayed M. de Grandchamp?

Vernon

He is at the priest's house, but he will not stay there long.

The Magistrate (to the doctor)

Have you made your examination yet, sir?

(The two physicians converse together at the head of the bed.)

Ramel (to the magistrate) If the General returns, we must deal with him according to the circumstances.

(Marguerite is weeping, kneeling at the foot of the bed; the two physicians, the judge and Ramel are grouped in the front of the stage.)

Ramel (to the doctor)

It is therefore of your opinion, sir, that the illness of Mlle. de

Grandchamp, whom we saw two days ago full of health, and even of happiness, is the result of a crime?

The Doctor

The symptoms of poisoning are undeniable.

Ramel And are the remains of the poison contained in this cup so discernible, and present in such a quantity, as to furnish legal proof?

The Doctor

Yes, sir.

The Magistrate (to Vernon) This woman alleges, sir, that yesterday, at four o'clock, you prescribed for Mlle. de Grandchamp an infusion of orange leaves, as a soothing draught for the nervous excitement which followed upon an interview between the stepmother and her stepdaughter; she says, moreover, that Madame de Grandchamp, who had despatched you on an empty errand to a place four leagues away, had insisted upon preparing and giving everything to her daughter herself; is this true?

Vernon

Yes, sir.

Marguerite When I persisted in my purpose of attending myself upon my young mistress, my poor master was incensed to the point of reproaching me.

Ramel (to Vernon)

Where did Madame de Grandchamp send you?

Vernon Everything is ominous in this mysterious affair. Madame de Grandchamp was so anxious to get me out of the way that she sent me three leagues to visit a sick man, who, I found when I reached his home, was drinking in the inn. I blamed Champagne for deceiving Madame de Grandchamp, and Champagne positively told me that the workman had not appeared at the factory, but that he himself knows nothing about his alleged sickness.

Felix

Gentlemen, the clergy are here.

Ramel

We can continue our proceedings in the drawing-room.

Vernon

This way, gentlemen, this way.

(Scene curtain.)

SCENE SIXTH

(The drawing-room.)

Ramel, the Magistrate, the Sheriff's Officer and Vernon.