The Follies of Love | Page 4

languished too long under his cruel domain. I'm taking off
the mask, so he can see how little regard I have for him, and how I
intend to live from now on--and how much I hate him!
Jenny May heaven assist you in this praiseworthy plan! As for me, I'd
rather serve the devil--yes, the devil. At least when he held his Sabbath,
I would have some rest. But, in my state, evening, morning, day or
night--I have no peace. I'll have a breakdown soon. He scolds and
grinds his teeth the live long day. "Do this, do that, come, go, go
upstairs, go downstairs--close the door and window. Prevent, if you can,
anyone from appearing." He stops, he worries, he runs around without
knowing where. All night he prowls like a frenzied wolf. He doesn't
permit us to close our eyes. As for him, when he sleeps, one eye's shut,
the other's watching. He never laughed in his life. He's jealous, stupid,
brutal to the extreme, miserly, hard, peevish. I'd prefer to beg for my
bread, from door to door, than to serve a master like this any longer. In
short, I don't like him.
Arabella Henceforth, Jenny, all our troubles are over. How my Worthy

differs from the portrait you paint. From my most tender years, nursed
by his own mother, our hearts were leagued in sympathy. And love
grew by the most charming means, finally united again by mutual oaths.
Although suffering from this frightful constraint for some time, which
annoys and overwhelms me, I am a woman who will take violent action!
Dressed like a man--a knight errant, I will free myself from Albert and
his harsh tyranny. I am going to run away and seek adventures.
Jenny Oh, there are adventures enough to be found without going so far
away. I can warn you that you will find enough of them.
Arabella You don't know my character yet. When one puts a yoke on
my contrary disposition, constraint only wakens my desires. I have
lived in the world in the midst of pleasure. Presently, Worthy is ready
to marry me. Many wild ideas pass through my head. I have the heart,
the wit, the sense,--the right! In short, you will soon see the little traits
of my character. But, why is the door open?
Jenny Fie. Your old Cereberus is on the prowl. What will he ask? He
prowls everywhere. He stands sentinel all night--and at daybreak he
goes scouting. If, by good luck, he could be trapped into some
ambush--a little spoke put in his wheel, with some compromising
story--and blackmailed-- But, peace, I hear a noise: someone's
coming--let's listen.
(Arabella and Jenny draw back as Albert enters.)
Albert I've circled the house, all night long, and found everybody
asleep. This will foil the efforts of my enemies. I've even patrolled
outside. Thank heaven, everything is all right. A secret terror disquiets
me, despite my efforts. I've seen a certain inquisitive person prowling
around here, from a distance, who seems to me to be examining the
place. For nearly six months, my cowardly complacence has
endangered my prudent action, and to let Arabella breathe easily
disquiets my soul, so I must shut her up. You don't make girls wise by
softness. I am going to bar the windows--with bars as big as my
hand--to foil all human efforts. But, I hear some noise! I see an object
which walks and turns about in the half light. Who goes there? . . .
Nobody answers. This affected silence bodes no good.
Jenny I tremble.
Albert It's jenny. Arabella is with her.
Arabella So, it's you, sir, playing sentinel?

Albert Yes, yes, it's me, it's me. But at this time of day, what are you
doing in this place, if you please?
Arabella Neither Jenny nor I sleep in the morning, so we came here to
be under the trees and to see the sun rise and take the air.
Jenny (trying to be helpful) Yes.
Albert You are to watch the dawn and take the air from your window.
You are conspiring here to betray me.
Jenny (aside) That wouldn't be a bad idea!
Albert What do you say?
Jenny Not a word.
Albert Prudent, circumspect girls who are not up to some intrigue sleep
tranquilly in their bed--and don't take the air so early--be it hot or cold.
Jenny And how, if you please, do you expect us to rest when all night
one hears nothing but coming, going, opening, closing, crying, tossing,
scratching, running, sneezing, coughing? When, by great luck, I fall
asleep--a frightful jangling of keys starts me awake. I try to go back to
sleep, but cannot. A Wandering Jew who does evil with the greatest
pleasure, a mischievous imp vomited by hell