The Follies of Love | Page 8

a
blockade.
Worthy You always employ military terms. You've been to the wars.
Scratch In all affairs, the mind must always be used before resorting to
brute force. Today's not the first time I've seen combat. I deserted twice
from the militia. When one intends, you see, for a siege to succeed, one
must prevent anything from entering, know the surroundings, learn its
weaknesses and its strengths. When one is well informed about what's
happening, one digs a trench, bombards the place, overthrows a

rampart--makes a breach--advances in good order--and gives the
assault. One strangles, massacres, kills, steals, and pillages. It's almost
the same when one takes a young woman. Right, sir?
Worthy In this matter, Jenny, the maid, is in our interests.
Scratch So much the better. The more intelligence one has of the city,
the more hope one has of success. One must take it noiselessly--without
drums. All night help comes. Make her signals, so she'll understand.
Worthy Come, let's discover ways to take it. And, so as not to arouse
suspicions, let's avoid remaining around here too long.
Scratch As chief engineer and master of artillery, I am going to see
where I ought to place my batteries--to punch a hole in Albert and
oblige him to surrender the place quickly or withstand our assault.
CURTAIN

ACT II.
Scene: Same as Act I, later that day.
Albert (alone) A secret confided--said an excellent man who's name
and country, I am ignorant of--is the thing which ought to be most
carefully watched-- and in these times, the most difficult to protect.
Now, while I don't wish to argue with this facile philosopher, guarding
a young girl is much more difficult. I made the locksmith enter through
the garden--he must be promptly employed in my plan. I intend to
make Arabella and Jenny go out--from fear this would move their
hearts and overwhelm them. I've got to call them, so that the workman
can act at leisure. When I've satisfied my prudence in this matter--they
will have to resolve to be patient. Hola! Someone! Come under these
thick trees and take the air with me for several minutes.
(Enter Jenny and Arabella.)
Jenny Here's unseasonable fruit. What favorable demon causes you to
greet her so softly and your humor to be so tractable? By your
astonishing command, we can go out today for the first time in six
months.
Albert We have to change places sometimes. Sometimes, in life, the
most charming resort bores us.
Arabella If I'm with you, regardless of the climate, the air will be no
softer or better for me. I don't know why, but now I sigh when I am
near you; I cannot breathe.

Albert My heart swoons with pleasure at such talk. You need a husband
to calm these sighs.
Arabella Girls dissimulate often enough, and pretend to scruples at the
name of a husband, masking their true desires, often saying they love
no one except the convent. As for me, the power of truth presses me
and I can find in it neither crime nor weakness. I have a sincere heart,
and I tell you, without pretence, that I want to be married, and sooner
than later.
Jenny Well said. What's the use, in the spring of youth, to wish to
escape the yoke of marriage, and to leave the number of the living?
There were husbands long before convents, and I hold the role of
spouse is the most ancient, and the most currently fashionable and
used--and the most to be followed in all methods. That's what I say!
Albert You both speak in the same spirit--and my views conform to
yours. I intend to marry. Rich as I am--they're always proposing a
suitable and advantageous match for me--but I always reply that
another love holds me, and that my heart prepossessed by your rare
beauty sighs for you alone, and that on your side, you adore only me.
Arabella How's that?
Albert Yes, sweety, I have declared the love which possesses me for
you.
Arabella What did you say, if you please?
Albert That, at the bottom of your heart, you nourish a sincere passion
for me.
Arabella Where's your discretion, truly?
Albert Beautiful Arabella, one cannot be happy and remain silent.
Arabella You ought not to make such an avowal, and so loud.
Albert And why not, my child?
Arabella (waspishly) Because nothing is more false, and one cannot lie
with more impudence.
Albert Then, you don't love me?
Arabella (sweetly) No, but in recompense, I hate you unto death.
Albert (surprised) For what?
Arabella Who knows why? One loves without reason, and without
reason, one hates.
Jenny If the admission is not tender, at least it is sincere.
Albert After what I have done, basilisk, to please you!

Jenny