The Stepmother, A Drama in Five Acts

SCENE EIGHTH

Ferdinand and Ramel.

Ramel

You here, Marcandal!

Ferdinand Hush! Don't pronounce that name in this place! If the General heard that my name was Marcandal, he would kill me at once as if I were a mad dog.

Ramel

And why?

Ferdinand

Because I am the son of General Marcandal.

Ramel A general to whom the Bourbons are in part indebted for their second innings.

Ferdinand In the eyes of General Grandchamp, to leave Napoleon for service under the Bourbons was treason against France. Alas! this was also my father's opinion, for he died of grief. You must therefore remember to call me by the name of Ferdinand Charny, my mother's maiden name.

Ramel

And what are you doing here?

Ferdinand

I am the manager, the cashier, the factotum of Grandchamp's factory.

Ramel

How is this? Do you do it from necessity?

Ferdinand From dire necessity! My father spent everything, even the fortune of my poor mother, who lived during her later years in Brittany on the pension she received as widow of a lieutenant-general.

Ramel How is it that your father, who had command of the Royal Guard, a most brilliant position, died without leaving you anything, not even a patron?

Ferdinand Had he never betrayed his friends, and changed sides, without any reason —

Ramel

Come, come, we won't talk any more about that.

Ferdinand My father was a gambler – that was the reason why he was so indulgent to me. But may I ask what has brought you here?

Ramel

A fortnight ago I was appointed king's attorney at Louviers.

Ferdinand I heard something about it. But the appointment was published under another name.

Ramel

De la Grandiere, I suppose.

Ferdinand

That is it.

Ramel In order that I might marry Mlle. de Boudeville, I obtained permission to assume my mother's name – as you have done. The Boudeville family have given me their protection, and in a year's time I shall doubtless be attorney-general at Rouen – a stepping-stone towards a position at Paris.

Ferdinand

And what brings you to our quiet factory?

Ramel I came to investigate a criminal case, a poisoning affair, – a fine introduction into my office.

(Felix enters.)

Felix

Monsieur, Madame is worrying about you —

Ferdinand Please ask her to excuse me for a few moments. (Exit Felix.) My dear Eugene, in case the General – who like all retired troopers is very inquisitive – should inquire how we happen to meet here, don't forget to say that we came up the main avenue. It is important for me that you should say so. But go on with your story. It is on account of the wife of Champagne, our foreman, that you have come here; but he is innocent as a new-born babe!

Ramel You believe so, do you? Well, the officers of justice are paid for being incredulous. I see that you still remain, as I left you, the noblest, the most enthusiastic fellow in the world; in short, a poet! A poet who puts the poetry into his life instead of writing it, and believes in the good and the beautiful! And that reminds me – that angel of your dreams, that Gertrude of yours, whatever has become of her?

Ferdinand Hush! Not only has the minister of justice sent you here, but some celestial influence has sent to me at Louviers the friend whose help I need in my terrible perplexity. Eugene, come here and listen to me a while. I am going to appeal to you as my college friend, as the confidant of my youth; you won't put on the airs of the prosecuting attorney to me, will you? You will see from the nature of my admissions that I impose upon you the secrecy of the confessional.

Ramel

Is it anything criminal?

Ferdinand Oh, nonsense! My faults are such as the judges themselves would be willing to commit.

Ramel

Perhaps I had better not listen to you; or, if I do listen to you —

Ferdinand

Well!

Ramel

I could demand a change of position.

Ferdinand You are always my best and kindest friend. Listen then! For over three years I have been in love with Mlle. Pauline de Grandchamp, and she —