The Works of Robert Louis Stevenson – Swanston Edition. Volume 15

Автор

Роберт Льюис Стивенсон

Жанр

Зарубежная классика

Год написания книги

2017

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Marquis. I am the Marquis Villers-Cotterets de la ChertÃ© de MÃ©doc. (Sensation.)

Marcaire. Marquis, delighted, I am sure.

Marquis (to Dumont). I come, as you perceive, unfollowed; my errand, therefore, is discreet. I come (producing notes from breast-pocket) equipped with thirty thousand francs; my errand, therefore, must be generous. Can you not guess?

Dumont. Not I, my lord.

Marquis (repeating). “Preserve this letter,” etc.

Marcaire. Bitten!

Bertrand. Sold again! (Aside.) (A pause.)

Aline. Well, I never did!

Dumont. Two fathers!

Marquis. Two? Impossible.

Dumont. Not at all. This is the other.

Marquis. This man?

Marcaire. This is the man, my lord; here stands the father. Charles, to my arms! (Charles backs.)

Dumont. He knew the letter.

Marquis. Well, so did I.

Curate. The judgment of Solomon.

Goriot. What did I tell ’ee? he can’t marry.

Ernestine. Couldn’t they both consent?

Marquis. But he’s my living image.

Marcaire. Mine, Marquis, mine.

Marquis. My figure, I think?

Marcaire. Ah, Charles, Charles!

Curate. We used to think his physiognomy resembled Dumont’s.

Dumont. Come to look at him, he’s really like Goriot.

Ernestine. O papa, I hope he’s not my brother.

Goriot. What be talking of? I tell ’ee, he’s like our Curate.

Charles. Gentlemen, my head aches.

Marquis. I have it: the involuntary voice of nature, at me, my son.

Macaire. Nay, Charles, but look at me.

Charles. Gentlemen, I am unconscious of the smallest natural inclination for either.

Marquis. Another thought: what was his mother’s name?

Macaire. What was the name of his mother by you?

Marquis. Sir, you are silenced.

Macaire. Silenced by honour. I had rather lose my boy than compromise his sainted mother.

Marquis. A thought; twins might explain it: had you not two foundlings?

Dumont. Nay, sir, one only; and, judging by the miseries of this evening, I should say, thank God!

Macaire. My friends, leave me alone with the Marquis. It is only a father that can understand a father’s heart. Bertrand, follow the members of my family. (They troop out, L.U.E. and R.U.E., the fiddlers playing. Air: “O dear, what can the matter be?”)

SCENE IV

Macaire, Marquis

Marquis. Well, sir?

Macaire. My lord, I feel for you. (Business. They sit, R.)

Marquis. And now, sir?

Macaire. The bond that joins us is remarkable and touching.

Marquis. Well, sir?

Macaire (touching him on the breast). You have there thirty thousand francs.

Marquis. Well, sir?

Macaire. I was but thinking of the inequalities of life, my lord: that I, who, for all you know, may be the father of your son, should have nothing; and that you, who, for all I know, may be the father of mine, should be literally bulging with bank notes… Where do you keep them at night?

Marquis. Under my pillow. I think it rather ingenious.

Macaire. Admirably so. I applaud the device.

Marquis. Well, sir?