The Stepmother, A Drama in Five Acts

Mademoiselle is radiant!

Gertrude We have some people to dinner to-day, and I am something more than a stepmother to her; I love to deck her out, for she is to me like my own daughter.

Godard (aside)

They were evidently expecting me!

Gertrude (aside to Godard) I am going to leave you alone with her. Now is the time for your declaration. (To the General) My dear, let us go out on the veranda and see if our friend the doctor is coming.

The General

I am at your service, as usual. (To Pauline) Good-bye, my pet. (To

Godard) I shall see you later.

(Gertrude and the General go to the veranda, but Gertrude keeps her eye on Godard and Pauline. Ferdinand shows his head at the door of Pauline's chamber, but at a quick sign from her, he hurriedly withdraws it unobserved.)

Godard (at the front of the stage) Let me see, what fine and dainty speech can I make to her? Ah, I have it! (To Pauline) It is a very fine day, mademoiselle.

Pauline

It certainly is, sir.

Godard

Mademoiselle —

Pauline

Sir?

Godard

It is in your power to make the day still finer for me.

Pauline

How can I do that?

Godard Don't you understand me? Has not Madame de Grandchamp said anything to you about the subject nearest my heart?

Pauline While she was helping me to dress, an instant ago, she said a great many complimentary things about you!

Godard

And did you agree with her, even in the slightest way?

Pauline

Oh, sir, I agreed with all she said!

Godard (seating himself on a chair, aside) So far so good. (Aloud) Did she commit a pardonable breach of confidence by telling you that I was so much in love with you that I wished to see you the mistress of Rimonville?

Pauline She gave me to understand by her hints that you were coming with the intention of paying me a very great compliment.

Godard (falling on his knees)

I love you madly, mademoiselle; I prefer you to Mlle. de Blondville, to Mlle. de Clairville, to Mlle. de Verville, to Mlle. de

Pont-de-Ville – to —

Pauline Oh, that is sufficient, sir, you throw me into confusion by these proofs of a love which is quite unexpected! Your victims make up almost a hecatomb. (Godard rises.) Your father was contented with taking the victims to market! But you immolate them.

Godard (aside) I really believe she is making fun of me. But wait awhile! Wait awhile!

Pauline

I think at least we ought to wait awhile; and I must confess —

Godard You do not wish to marry yet. You are happy with your parents, and you are unwilling to leave your father.

Pauline

That is it, exactly.

Godard In that case, there are some mothers who would agree that their daughter was too young, but as your father admits that you are twenty-two I thought that you might possibly have a desire to be settled in life.

Pauline

Sir!

Godard You are, I know, quite at liberty to decide both your own destiny and mine; but in accordance with the wishes of your father and of your second mother, who imagine that your heart is free, may I be permitted still to have hope?

Pauline Sir, however flattering to me may be your intention in thus seeking me out, that does not give you any right to question me so closely.

Godard (aside) Is it possible I have a rival? (Aloud) No one, mademoiselle, gives up the prospect of happiness without a struggle.

Pauline

Do you still continue in this strain? I must leave you, sir.

Godard

Thank you, mademoiselle. (Aside) So much for your sarcasm.

Pauline Come sir, you are rich, and nature has given you a fine person; you are so well educated and so witty that you will have no difficulty in finding some young person richer and prettier than I am.

Godard