La Tontine | Page 8

to say. But, if you were in my place--the
rank of Colonel would cause you to speak differently.
Worthy No--word of honor.
Jeremy All right! You marry her and I consent at that price to spare the
deserter.

Trippet Come no, Mr. Major, consider how charming she is.
Worthy I have little taste for marriage--but to please the Colonel--I'll do
it. But, only if the doctor gives me a large dowry. It is not right to
marry a woman who brings nothing.
Jeremy He's right, Doctor. It's necessary to make it worth his while.
Make over all your wealth to him.
Peacock Your humble servant. I prefer you to hang Mr. Rosebud. I'll be
off much cheaper.
Trippet Mr. Major, you seem generous. Accept my mistress on the
same terms she was to be married to Mr. Flem. That's to say, for
one-half the interest on the ten thousand pounds that the Doctor has put
on the head of Dudley.
Peacock That, I can live with.
Worthy To accommodate you, sir, I would like to consent.
Flem And, I won't object. I free you of your promise, Doctor.
(Exit Flem.)
Dudley But, who will care for me? The father-in-law or the son-in-law?
Peacock I will. I will treat you as I always have.
Dudley That being the case, I prefer to run the gauntlet.
Worthy No, Rosebud, no. I will care for you. I will care for his health.
Jeremy I've suddenly taken it into my head to get married, too. With
this flirt.
Peacock What, Colonel? You wish to marry the maid after having
refused the mistress?
Jeremy I will ennoble her. There, Trippet. From wench, I make you a
lady of quality.
Trippet It won't be the first such metamorphosis.

CURTAIN

TRANSLATOR'S NOTE: A few lines of dialogue have been added to
the play explaining what a tontine is. Tontines were named for an
Italian Banker named Tonti who discovered the scheme. Strange as it
may seem this play got Le Sage in a great deal of trouble because the
government was employing the Tontine as a means of raising revenue
and this play was regarded as a subversive attack on the revenue system
of the monarchy.

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