The Spirit of Contradiction | Page 6

I will obey you to the death.
Mrs. Townly: What obstinacy, what an opinionated--
Angelica: It's not obstinacy.
Mrs. Townly: What, you contradict me without stopping?

Angelica: To wish what you wish is to contradict you?
Mrs. Townly: Yes, yes, yes, because I want you to express your will
and you won't do it.
Angelica: But Mom!
Mrs. Townly: You make me beside myself. Shut up. They will all say
I'm wrong again. Now it's you--yes, it's your spirit, one can call it that
indeed--a spirit of contradiction. I don't know how I can live with you.
A daughter like this is a real domestic calamity. I want to get rid of you
for sure. Yes, miss--I will marry you off today. The two candidates are
Edward Richly on one side and Mr. Nelson on the other. I will not give
you the honor, I will not give you the choice. You will take the one I
choose. I will speak to your father one more time. If his ideas are
reasonable, I will agree. If not, no.
(Exit Mrs. Townly in a rage)
Angelica: (sighing) What violence is necessary to turn me into a
dissimulator with all the world. I am naturally sincere. But where my
mother is concerned I don't dare confide in any one if I'm in a situation
where I can see what's happening.
(Enter Mr. Edward Richly)
Edward: Here I am again young lady, and I've resolved not to return to
Oxford without having first had an explanation with you. I swear to
you your manners make me beside myself. I am furious, worse, I'm no
longer in possession of myself. When I think that since the last time I
came here neither my love, nor my respect, nor my prayers, nor my
reproaches, have succeeded in getting one word out of you. (pause) I
can't make any sense out of it. When I spoke to you of the most violent
passion that ever was, you listened to me with a tranquility, a languor
that was incomprehensible. For women react either with love or scorn
or anger to such emotions. Just Heavens, what am I to think of a silence
so obstinate?
Angelica: Only that I am prudent and nothing more.
Edward: Do you approve of my love or forbid it?
Angelica: I can't say.
Edward: Always the same indifferent tone.
Angelica: You haven't been able to tell whether I have any inclination
for you, right?
Edward: That's what upsets me.

Angelica: Nor have you seen any aversion?
Edward: No indeed. But that's not satisfactory.
Angelica: It satisfies me. For I have need to be impenetrable to your
curiosity. Didn't I tell you that I have formed a project to secure my
freedom, and that to implement this project, it is necessary that my
mother be unable to tell whether I love you or someone else? My father
must also be kept from the truth--and therefore you also must be kept in
the dark--for if you know it, my father, my mother, and any one who
sees you will be well informed.
Edward: You're trying to tell me I'm indiscreet?
Angelica: No, but your vivacity takes the place of indiscretion.
Edward: I know how to control my temperament. For example, from
the moment I saw you I felt possessed to such a degree that you
wouldn't think it possible. And I swear to you that a word of
enlightenment--one little word from you, will make me just as tranquil
as you are.
Angelica: But suppose the word is that I have no intention of marrying
you?
Edward: Ah, so that is what you dare to tell me? How can I listen to
such infamy? Just Heaven!
Angelica: You're not tranquil: would you feel better if I promised never
to marry anyone but you?
Edward: If you promised me that--ah! I'd die of delight. Yes, my joy
would be so great--
Angelica: So that you would publish that, too. See how your transports
of joy or despair give away everything! They would divulge my secret,
and from them my mother would know what I want to do: then she
would cross me furiously. Thus I find that I am wise to keep you
ignorant of my true intentions.
Edward: I can't be ignorant of them, ingrate. They are so plain. So I tell
you, I've just learned you will be betrothed to Mr. Nelson, today.
Angelica: That is possibly true.
Edward: And that's why I came here.
Angelica: Well go away, then.
Edward: And that is what has made me understand all your politics. I
see you've managed me up to this point because I am friends with your
mother. You fear that, irritated by your refusal, I will prevent this

marriage.
Angelica: Prevent this marriage! I believe you