Madame Aubin | Page 3

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MADAME AUBIN
a play in one act and in prose
by Verlaine, 1895
Translated and adapted by Frank J. Morlock

Characters:
A Servant Aubin Madame Marie Aubin Peltier An Officer

The action takes place in the room of a hotel.
PELTIER (to a servant who is leaving) That's fine. We'll ring when we need you.
(to Marie) A day and a night of rest, my darling, right? After which we'll leave, crossing Switzerland for Brindisi without any stop and reach the Orient as it was agreed.
MARIE It was agreed?
PELTIER Eh! Yes.
MARIE It's true. Indeed, as you like.
PELTIER What do you mean? Since you approve, I'm going to peruse the train schedule. You'll allow me.
MARIE My God, yes.
(A short pause during which Marie looks at her ring and munches on a cake she has taken from a gold comfit box.)
PELTIER (after having written some notes in pencil) There. At noon tomorrow we'll take the Express and we'll stop wherever you like. Look. (offering Marie his notes)
MARIE My friend, you are perfect. I'm going to think it over. Would you listen to me for a moment to discuss something else?
PELTIER Speak my darling.
MARIE I want to call a halt to our adventure here.
PELTIER I don't understand.
MARIE Don't interrupt me. What we are doing is crazy. It's not ridiculous, it's crazy. We will be far less happy than we were there. And it truly required all the influence of your charming character and the persuasion of your frankness (offering him her hand which he holds and keeps) to make me take this enormous step. It's no longer time, I know or rather I suspect, to go back on such an impulse, but after all, what do you want? And I am in despair after all this bravura which decided me, sustained me, swept me off my feet during this long journey from Paris to this chancy place. Ah, I'm afraid.
PELTIER (overwhelmed by surprise rather than skeptical and resolved as he had appeared up until now.) Afraid of whom and what? (he lets Marie's hand fall and crosses his arms waiting to hear more)
MARIE Of the past, first of all. Fear! Remorse because of