The Romancers | Page 5

out.]
[Little by little it grow dark. For a moment the stage is empty. Then, in PASQUINOT's park, enter STRAFOREL and swordsmen, musicians, and torch-bearers.]
STRAFOREL. I see one star already. The day is dying [He places his men about the stage.] Stay there--you there--and you there. The hour is near. You will see, as the clock strikes eight, a figure in white enter on this side. Then I whistle--[He looks at the sky again.] The moon? Splendid! Every effect is perfect to-night. [Examining the costumes of his band] The capes and mantels are excellent. Look a little more dangerous, over there! Now, ready? [A sedan-chair is brought in.] The chair over there in the shade. [Seeing the negroes who carry the chair] The negroes are good! [Speaking at a distance] Torches, there, you understand you are not to come until you receive the signal? [The faint reflection of the torches is seen at the back of the stage, through the underbrush. Enter the musicians.] Musicians? There-- at the back. Now, a little distinction and life! Vary your poses from time to time. Stand straight, mandolin! Sit down, alto! There. [Severely to a swordsman] You, first mask, don't look so harmless--I want a villainous slouch! Good! Now, instruments, play softly--tune up! Good--tra la la! [He puts on his mask.]
[PERCINET enters slowly from the other side of the stage. As he speaks the following lines, the stage becomes darker, until at the end, it is night.]
PERCINET. My father is calmer now. The day is dying, and the intoxicating odor of the elders is wafted to me; the flowers close their petals in the gray of the evening--
STRAFOREL. [Aside to the violins] Music!
[The musicians play softly until the end of the act.]
PERCINET. I tremble like a reed. She is coming!
STRAFOREL. [To the musicians] Amoroso!
PERCINET. My first evening meeting--I can scarcely stand! The evening breeze sounds like the fluttering of her dress. Now I can't see the flowers, but I can smell them. Ah, this great tree, with a star above it--Music? Who--? [A pause.] Night has come. [After another pause, a clock strikes eight in the distance. SYLVETTE appears at the back of her park.]
SYLVETTE. The hour has struck. He must be waiting.
[A whistle is heard. STRAFOREL rises in front of SYLVETTE, and torch-bearers appear in the background. SYLVETTE screams. The swordsmen seize and put her into the sedan-chair.]
SYLVETTE. Help! Help!
PERCINET. Great Heavens!
SYLVETTE. Percinet, they are carrying me off!
PERCINET. [Leaping to the wall] I come! [When he reaches the top of the wall, he draws his sword, jumps down on the other side, and engages four or five swordsmen in combat. They flee before him.] There, and there, and there!
STRAFOREL. [To the musicians] Tremolo!
[The violins now play a dramatic tremolo.]
STRAFOREL. Per Bacco, he's the devil, that child! [PERCINET now engages STRAFOREL in a duel. STRAFOREL, after a few thrusts, puts his hand to his breast.] I--I'm mortally wounded! [He falls.]
PERCINET. [Running to SYLVETTE, who sits in the sedan-chair] Sylvette! [He kneels to her.]
SYLVETTE. My savior!
PASQUINOT. [Entering] Bergamin's son! Your savior? Your savior? I give you to him!
SYLVETTE and PERCINET. Heavens!
[BERGAMIN now appears on his side of the wall.]
PASQUINOT. [To BERGAMIN, who is seen on top of the wall] Bergamin, your son is a hero! Let us forget our quarrels, and make these children happy!
BERGAMIN. [Solemnly] I hate you no more!
PERCINET. Sylvette, don't speak loud: I know I am dreaming. But don't wake me!
BERGAMIN. Our hatred is ended in the marriage of our dear ones. [Indicating the wall] Henceforth let there be no Pyrenees!
PERCINET. Who would have believed that my father could change so!
SYLVETTE. I told you everything would turn out happily! [While the lovers go up-stage with PASQUINOT, STRAFOREL rises and hands a folded paper to BERGAMIN.]
BERGAMIN. [Aside] What is it? This paper--your signature? What is it, if you please?
STRAFOREL. [Bowing] Monsieur, it's my bill! [He falls down again.]
Curtain
* * * * *
ACT II
SCENE: The same, except that the wall has disappeared. The benches which were formerly against it are removed to the extreme right and left. There are a few extra pots of flowers and two or three plaster statues. To the right is a small garden table, with chairs about it.
As the curtain rises, PASQUINOT is sitting on the bench to the left, reading a paper. BLAISE is at the back, busy with his rake.
BLAISE. So the notary comes to-night, Monsieur Pasquinot? It is pleasant, now that the wall is down, and you living together this past month. It was high time, I'm thinking. The little lovers must be happy!
PASQUINOT. [Raising his head and looking about] So you like it without the wall, Blaise?
BLAISE. The garden is superb!
PASQUINOT. Yes, my property has increased a hundred per cent! [Poking a tuft of grass with his foot] Have you watered the grass? [Furiously] You