The Spirit of Contradiction | Page 9

you that my daughter doesn't want him.
Lucas: The matter is a little delicate.
Mrs. Townly: It isn't my daughter's will or mine that ought to decide--it's yours my husband--and in this and in everything else, you are master.
Lucas: As for me, I think--
Mrs. Townly: You're a good advisor, Lucas, and I willingly listen to your advice.
Townly: In a word, my wife, you have proposed Mr. Nelson to me, and I don't want him.
Mrs. Townly: Let's speak softly. I love peace and harmony. I will do whatever you find most agreeable.
Townly: (aloud) What's agreeable to me is
(low) not to have such complaisance about this.
Mrs. Townly: To me it's to have a husband that I love and respect.
Townly: You're joking, but I tell you Mr. Nelson is not to my taste.
Mrs. Townly: Your taste determines mine and I tell you I won't give another thought to Mr. Nelson.
Townly: Lucas?
Lucas: (low) Try harder. Her contradictory spirit isn't on fire yet.
Townly: Tell me, Madam, are you making fun of me?
Mrs. Townly: But what makes you think that when I give you my word?
Lucas: Good! Your word comes and goes like the air.
Mrs. Townly: (sweetly) Wait till you see.
Lucas: You can't make up your mind.
Mrs. Townly: To prove my sincerity and my submission, I am going this moment to forbid Mr. Nelson to set foot in this house.
(Exit Mrs. Townly)
Townly: I believe she's going to do it. What should have caused this miracle?
Lucas: Listen, it must be that--
Townly: It would be, just my luck. The only time in her life she doesn't contradict me it's to contradict me.
Lucas: For her to obey you is not natural.
Townly: I am going to see what's happening. I still don't believe it.
(Exit Townly)
Nelson: (entering) Well, well, Lucas. We are going to sign the contract. Here's the money I promised you--
Lucas: Madam is going to give you your walking papers--she's looking for you to do just that.
Nelson: She doesn't want me, you say?
Lucas: Something has happened, I don't know exactly what. Wait for me here, I'm going to see for myself.
(Exit Lucas)
Nelson: I love waiting for this little Angelica--but I'm joking about that. If I don't marry her, I can marry at least four others.
(Enter Angelica followed by Edward who is determined to fathom her tricks)
Nelson: Well, well, poor girl, it's bad for you. You won't get married.
Angelica: What an irritating thing.
Nelson: It makes me mad, but I'm easy. You're crying because you love me, and that's swell. Don't cry, come on, don't cry. You'll make me do it, too.
Angelica: Go quickly, join my father, second him, speak together to my mother. Beg her. Press her.
Nelson: Shh! Shh! There's your other lover who's listening.
Angelica: Ha--are you there, Mr. Richly?
Edward: What I've just heard, what you've just said, has exposed you to me. The lawyer I've just been with proved sufficiently your betrayal, but you aren't worthy of my reproaches. I will take the way of scorn and silence.
(Shouting) Don't wait for me, nor beg, nor reproach--ingrate! No, faithless one, no traitress--
Nelson: Do you call this the way of silence?
Edward: Just Heaven--
Nelson: What are you complaining of? That she promised you something?
Edward: Nothing at all, Mr. Nelson. I would like to know indeed, sir, by what right you insult me? How, I beg you, can you have any hope? First of all, my father has as much money as you--and the little merit that you have--
Nelson: (showing his hand) Why, do you see this hand? These five fingers alone are worth more than all your father's wealth.
Angelica: For me, I prefer Mr. Nelson's good nature to this wild passion which you never give up--
Nelson: Fie! He's crazy in love--like in a novel.
Angelica: His kind words touch me more than your despairing face.
Nelson: I've heard it said that women don't care for the affected, but I pity him. Go young man, go--console yourself. I will lend you some money.
Edward: Why, damn you, sir--
Angelica: (taking Edward by the arm) You're beside yourself. Go away, I beg you. I don't like to be bothered like that.
Nelson: Hey, me either. I'm going to rejoin your father.
(Low to Angelica) I order you to get rid of him. Give him his walking papers and come find me.
(Exit Nelson)
Edward: Your procedure seems to me so outre that I cannot believe that you are feigning. I don't flatter myself, but if you were pretending because Nelson was around--now he is gone--justify yourself!
(Enter Mrs. Townly)
Mrs. Townly: (aside) My daughter alone with Richly!
Edward: Justify yourself--or admit you have betrayed me. Speak, we are alone.
Angelica: I will speak to you just as I spoke in the presence of Mr. Nelson. My father wants me to marry him and I tell you I am delighted.
Edward: Oh! I give up. No more explanations. I am going to find your mother.
Angelica: Go, sir, go, you can