POLICEMAN: It is because some kind of row has been going on at Monsieur Murel's house; his workmen have all turned their backs on him now! Everything is going wrong, I fear. [Helps Pierre to sort papers. Enter Félicité]
PIERRE: HOW are you, Félicité? Good morning, Madame Gruchet! Ha! ha!
FELICITE: YOU are very rude, Pierre!
PIERRE: I thought you were all off with us, since your master set himself up in opposition to mine.
FELICITE [drily]: That was none of my business, was it? I have a message for your master.
PIERRE: He has gone out.
FELICITE: Will he return for luncheon?
PIERRE: For luncheon? Do you suppose he has time for luncheon? Why, he is rushing about from morning till night! Madame carries his meals to his room when he is at home, and Mademoiselle Louise goes about distributing food to the poor!
FELICITE: And the governess?
PIERRE: Oh, she is more sentimental than ever! [To the Policeman] No, not that way! [Folds a paper carefully] Monsieur Rousselin himself showed me how to fold these journals, so that this article shall catch the eye at first glance.
POLICEMAN: He is making lively times in this district.
PIERRE: I believe you, my boy!
FELICITE: While I am waiting, may I say a word to the English lady?
PIERRE [points to a door, L.]: Her room is out there, down the corridor, last door at the right.
FELICITE: Oh, I know! [Crosses to door, L.]
PIERRE: Here comes our good master! [Félicité slips behind the door and remains unobserved in the corner. Enter Rousselin]
SCENE II.
ROUSSELIN [clasps Pierre's hand warmly]: My dear friend!
PIERRE [astonished]: Why, master!
ROUSSELIN [recovers himself]: Oh! Ah! — a slight absence of mind! I have become so accustomed to shaking hands with my political friends! The palm of my right hand is almost inflamed! [To the Policeman] Ah! very good! [Hands him money quietly] Thank you very much, my good friend, for your assistance. Do not be afraid to call upon me — if — if — ever you need anything!
POLICEMAN [with a deprecating gesture]: Oh, that's all right, Monsieur!
[Exit, with Pierre, helping to carry away the bundles.
ROUSSELIN: That newspaper article of Julien's does away with all possible objections that remained against me! It shows how absurd it was for the electors to form their opinions so hastily, and demonstrates that my conduct has been most wise and loyal! He praises my administrative ability, and even says that, should I be elected, I shall gain only what is my right! And he says it all with such style — so much elegance! Ah! I owe a great deal to the cleverness of my wife in managing this affair!
FELICITE [comes from the corner, extending a note]: From Monsieur Gruchet!
ROUSSELIN [takes note, opens it and reads]: "Send me that receipt, and I will withdraw all opposition. You may entrust it to my servant." The devil! This might be called putting a knife to a man's throat! But — if he should withdraw and make no more trouble, and I should be nominated! That's worth considering. It is a large sum, and the interest increases it all the time. If he should be elected, I could get it all back. But — six thousand francs! — not so great a sum, after all — I had almost forgotten about it. What good would they do me? A man gains nothing without some sacrifice! [Opens writing-desk] Wait! [Opens drawer in desk and takes out paper; gives it to Félicité] Take that, and hasten home! Your master is waiting for it.
FELICITE: Thank you, Monsieur! [Exit.
ROUSSELIN: His resignation comes rather late in the day! Pshaw! the voting is only just about to begin, and even if I should lose a few votes —
SCENE III.
(The same, including Murel and Dodart)
MUREL [enters with Dodart]: Now, perhaps you will believe me, Monsieur Rousselin. I have brought the notary, who will show you all the papers proving my inheritance.
DODART [shows documents]: Here are the legal papers, also the inventory, establishing the rights and qualities of my client as heir to the property of his aunt, Madame Murel, widow, late of Montélimart.
ROUSSELIN: I congratulate you!
MUREL: NOW there will be no further opposition, I hope, to — to —
ROUSSELIN: TO what, Monsieur Murel?
MUREL: Why, to my marriage!
ROUSSELIN: YOU cannot expect me to talk about that on such a day as this!
MUREL: Of course I know you are very much occupied. But, without saying anything decisive, you might give me a little encouragement.
ROUSSELIN: Have you heard the news? Hasnt anyone told you that Gruchet —
MUREL: Monsieur Rousselin, it seems to me you might listen to my request!
ROUSSELIN: NO! no! Don't worry me now! You would do better to go and look after your workmen. Even in the short time that remains, they might —
MUREL: But I brought Dodart here expressly that he might explain my affairs to you!
ROUSSELIN: GO to your workmen now, I say! We can talk of your affairs later.
MUREL: YOU consent, then — it is certain?
ROUSSELIN: Yes, but don't lose any more time!
MUREL [joyfully]: Ah! you may count on me! Why, I ought to give them an increase in wages out of my own pocket! [Exit.
SCENE IV.
ROUSSELIN: A good lad, that Murel!
DODART: Nevertheless, he deceives himself. The factory hands laugh at him now. As to his fortune —
(Enter Marchais)
MARCHAIS: Your servant, gentlemen! [To Rousselin] Monsieur de Bouvigny sent me here to receive your reply.
ROUSSELIN: Reply to what?
MARCHAIS: TO the matter that Monsieur Dodart had just laid before you.
DODART [slaps his own forehead]: What a piece of thoughtlessness! The first that I have been guilty of in my career as a notary!
MARCHAIS: And he would like your answer in writing!
ROUSSELIN: But —
DODART: Let me explain. [To Marchais] Go out in the courtyard and wait a few moments. [Exit Marchais] Three days ago, Monsieur Rousselin.
the Count de Bouvigny informed me again that he still wishes to form an alliance with your family.
ROUSSELIN: I knew that well enough!
DODART: And he said that if you wish — hang it! you know one must use what means he can! They may not always be the most desirable, but —
ROUSSELIN: YOU have a very roundabout way of getting at this matter.
DODART: Had it not been for Murel, who rushed into my study and took up my time, I should have been here much sooner.
ROUSSELIN: Well, well! what is the business, for heaven's sake?
DODART: If you will allow your daughter to marry Monsieur Onésime, the Count says he is sure — positively sure, you understand — of your election, because he will send sixty-four of his own labourers to the polls to vote for you.
ROUSSELIN: This message by Marchais is a sort of final word?
DODART: Absolutely!
ROUSSELIN: Well, — but Murel?
DODART: YOU have just given him a promise.
ROUSSELIN: Was it really a promise?
DODART: Oh, rather!
ROUSSELIN: That is to say, not altogether! But — what do you advise me to do?
DODART: The situation is rather serious. Certain ties of friendship, and many other interests, attach me to Monsieur de Bouvigny, and I should be delighted to see an alliance made between his family and yours. On the other hand, I will not hide from you the fact that Monsieur Murel is now — [aside] party to a contract! [Aloud] You ought to reflect, to look on all sides, to weigh every consideration. On one side, there is family, on the other, fortune! For Monsieur Murel is now a good match. However, young Onésime —
ROUSSELIN: What shall I do? Oh, my wife! I had forgotten her! I cannot do anything without consulting her. [Rings. A pause] Everyone is dead or asleep to-day! [Calls] Pierre! Pierre! [Enter Pierre] Say to Madame Rousselin that I wish to speak to her here.
> PIERRE: Madame is not in the house, Monsieur.
ROUSSELIN: Look for her in the garden. [Exit Pierre] She will discover some way — she has so much tact.
DODART: In certain circumstances, I, too, consult my wife, and to do her justice — [Re-enter Pierre]
PIERRE: Monsieur, I cannot find Madame in the garden.
ROUSSELIN: Well, search elsewhere, then! Find her!
PIERRE: The cook thinks that Madame went out some time ago.
ROUSSELIN: Where was she going?
PIERRE: She did not say.
ROUSSELIN: Are you sure of that?
PIERRE: Quite sure, Monsieur. [Pause. Exit Pierre.
ROUSSELIN: This is very extraordinary! Never in her life has she —
ARABELLA [enters hastily, with much excitement]: Monsieur! Monsieur! I must speak to you! Hear me! It is something very important, — oh, very serious, Monsieur!
DODART: Shall I retire, Mademoiselle? [Arabella nods ]
[Exit Dodart.
SCENE V.
ROUSSELIN: What is the matter with you, Mademoiselle? Tell me quickly.
ARABELLA: Good heavens! Monsieur, pardon me if I dare — it is in your interest! Madame's absence seems very strange to you, and I believe I can —
ROUSSELIN: Is it, by chance —
ARABELLA: Ah, Monsieur! by chance! Listen! Your wife is now with Monsieur Julien!
ROUSSELIN [stunned]: What! [Suddenly, after a pause] Of course! Something to do with my election!
ARABELLA: I do not believe it, because I met them at the Blue Cross, and watched them; they went into the little pavilion — you know, the hunters' rendezvous — and I — I — overheard these words from Monsieur 'Julien — without comprehending them altogether, in spite of the explanation that Monsieur Gruchet gave me just now, seeming to understand them better than I. Monsieur Julien said: "I will go out before you, and in order to make you understand that you may come out also without fear, I will shake my handkerchief behind me!"
ROUSSALIN: Impossible! Proofs, Miss Arabella, proofs!
SCENE VI.
DODART [enters quickly]: Marchais would not wait! From your summer-house in the park, he fancied he saw the Count de Bouvigny coming down the hill surrounded by a great crowd.
ROUSSELIN: The sixty-four labourers!
DODART: The Count may make them vote for Gruchet!
ROUSSELIN: Oh, no! Gruchet has promised — but, after all — that miserable fellow — who knows what he will do?
DODART: Or the Count may make them put blank papers in the box.
ROUSSELIN: And perhaps that would be enough to spoil my chances!
DODART: But the hour is growing late!
ROUSSELIN: It will be some time before they can reach the city hall, fortunately. Tell Marchais to go to the count, and beg him to grant me at least — Where is Louise? Miss Arabella call Louise! [Exit Arabella] How shall I persuade the girl?
DODART: If you think anything I can say —
ROUSSELIN: NO, that might hurt her feelings. Wait here, and as soon as I have her consent — But Bouvigny demands a written reply! Can I ever —
DODART: Your word of honour will suffice. Then I will return at once to tell you —
ROUSSELIN: But you will not have time! The polls close at four o'clock! Run! Hasten!
DODART: I will go at once to the city hall.
ROUSSELIN: HOW I wish I could be there, so that I could know the sooner how affairs are going!
DODART: YOU will soon know.
ROUSSELIN: I hardly think so! You are not very quick!
DODART: If you win, I will wave my handkerchief as a signal to you. You will be able to see it from your window.
ROUSSELIN: A good idea! [Enter Louise]
LOUISE: Did you send for me, papa?
ROUSSELIN: Yes, my child. [To Dodart] Now go quickly, my dear friend! DODART: But I must wait outside to learn Mademoiselle's decision. ROUSSELIN: Oh, — true! [Exit Dodart.
SCENE VII.
ROUSSELIN: Louise, you love your father, do you not?
LOUISE: Oh, papa! what a question!
ROUSSELIN: And for him you would do —
LOUISE: Anything he wishes!
ROUSSELIN: Good! Now listen to me! It often happens that catastrophes come into the quietest lives. A perfectly honest man sometimes allows himself to be led astray by blandishments, or his own folly. Suppose, for instance — it is only a supposition, nothing more! — I had committed some reprehensible action, and that, in order to help me out of my trouble —
LOUISE: Oh, papa! You frighten me!
ROUSSELIN: DO not be alarmed, darling! The matter is not so serious as that. But, — suppose I should ask a certain sacrifice of you, would you resign yourself? I do not ask a sacrifice, however, — only a concession. It would not be difficult for you — the acquaintance has been so short. Briefly, then, my poor little girl, I ask you to think no more of Monsieur Murel!
LOUISE: But I love him!
ROUSSELIN: What! Nonsense! You have only allowed yourself to be taken with his manners and his dashing way of talking.
LOUISE: I find him very charming indeed!
ROUSSELIN: But, my child, — I cannot tell you the details, but I will just hint to you that his morals are far from good!
LOUISE: That is not true!
ROUSSELIN: Then, he is overwhelmed with debts! We shall probably see him running away from them at no very distant day!
LOUISE: But why? He is rich now.
ROUSSELIN: Ah! you are thinking of his fortune, are you? I had not spoken of it. I thought your sentiments were higher, more noble than that!
LOUISE: But I did love him for himself, from the very first day I saw him
ROUSSELIN: And you cherish your own little interests, too, — own up to it! You do not disdain little frivolities and pretty things; you like titles; and you would be very happy in Paris — after I become deputy — to take your place in fashionable society; to be invited to the houses of the Faubourg Saint-Germain. Wouldn't you like to be a countess?
LOUISE: A countess — I?
ROUSSELIN: Yes, — by marrying Onésime!
LOUISE: Never — so long as I live! Marry an idiot who does nothing but gaze at the tips of his boots — who hasn't brains enough to get an engagement as valet de chambre! He is incapable of speaking two sensible words! And what charming sisters-in-law I should have! They don't know how to spell! And a pretty fatherin-law — who looks like a farmer! And such pride and arrogance, and such a style of dressing themselves! Why, they wear gloves made of floss silk!
ROUSSELIN: YOU are very unjust. Onésime has been much better educated than you think. He was brought up under the tutorship of an eminent churchman; and the family dates from the twelfth century. You can see their genealogical tree in the grand hall of the castle. The ladies — they are not models of fashion, it is true, but what of that? And as for the Count de Bouvigny — there is no more loyal friend —
LOUISE: But you have been very bitter against him since you became a candidate, and the Count has shown just as great an enmity towards you! He is not like Murel, who has stood by you faithfully. And he stands by you still! Yet you ask me to forget him! I do not understand all this. What does it mean?
ROUSSELIN: I cannot explain it to you, my child, but surely you do not think I wish to make you unhappy. You do not doubt my tenderness, my judgment, my good sense? I know the world well. I know what is best for you. You would never be compelled to leave us — we should always be together. Nothing would be changed. I entreat you, my dear Louise — try to please me!
Complete Works of Gustave Flaubert Page 414