The Stepmother

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Stepmother, A Drama in Five Acts, by Honore De Balzac

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Title: The Stepmother, A Drama in Five Acts
Author: Honore De Balzac
Release Date: May 23, 2005 [EBook #15878]
Language: English
Character set encoding: ASCII
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Produced by Dagny and John Bickers

THE STEPMOTHER A DRAMA IN FIVE ACTS
BY
HONORE DE BALZAC

Presented for the First Time in Paris At the Theatre-Historique May 25, 1848

PERSONS OF THE PLAY
Comte de Grandchamp, a Napoleonic General Eugene Ramel, a State's Attorney Ferdinand Marcandal Doctor Vernon Godard An Investigating Magistrate Felix, servant to General de Grandchamp Champagne, a foreman Baudrillon, a druggist Napoleon, son to General de Grandchamp by his second wife Gertrude, second wife to General de Grandchamp Pauline, daughter to General de Grandchamp by his first wife Marguerite, maid to Pauline Gendarmes, Sheriff's Officer, the Clergy

SCENE: Chateau of the General de Grandchamp, near Louviers, Normandy
TIME: 1829

THE STEPMOTHER

ACT I

SCENE FIRST
(A richly decorated drawing-room; on the walls are portraits of Napoleon I. and his son. The entry is by a large double glass door, which opens on a roofed veranda and leads by a short stairway to a park. The door of Pauline's apartments are on the right; those of the General and his wife are on the left. On the left side of the central doorway is a table, and on the right is a cabinet. A vase full of flowers stands by the entrance to Pauline's room. A richly carved marble mantel, with a bronze clock and candelabras, faces these apartments. In the front of the stage are two sofas, one on the left, the other on the right. Gertrude enters, carrying the flowers which she has just plucked, and puts them in the vase.)
Gertrude and the General.
Gertrude I assure you, my dear, that it would be unwise to defer any longer giving your daughter in marriage. She is now twenty-two. Pauline has been very slow in making her choice; and, in such a case, it is the duty of parents to see that their children are settled. Moreover, I am very much interested in her.
The General In what way?
Gertrude The position of stepmother is always open to suspicion; and for some time it has been rumored in Louviers that I am the person who throws obstacles in the way of Pauline's marriage.
The General That is merely the idle gossip of little towns. I should like to cut out some of those silly tongues. And to think that they should attack you of all people, Gertrude, who have been a real mother to Pauline--whom you have educated most excellently!
Gertrude It is the way of the world! They will never forgive us for living so close to the town, yet never entering it. The society of the place revenges itself upon us for slighting it. Do you think that our happiness can escape envy? Even our doctor--
The General Do you mean Vernon?
Gertrude Yes, Vernon is very envious of you; he is vexed to think that he has never been able to inspire any woman with such affection as I have for you. Moreover, he pretends that I am merely playing a part,--as if I could do it for twelve years! Rather unlikely, I should think.
The General No woman could keep up the pretence for twelve years without being found out. The idea is absurd! And Vernon also is--
Gertrude Oh, he is only joking! And so, as I told you before, you had better see Godard. I am astonished that he has not yet arrived. He is so rich that it would be folly to refuse him. He is in love with Pauline, and although he has his faults, and is somewhat provincial, he is quite able to make her happy.
The General I have left Pauline quite free to choose a husband for herself.
Gertrude There is no cause for anxiety. A girl so gentle, so well brought up, so well behaved, is sure to do right.
The General Gentle, did you say? She is headstrong, like her father.
Gertrude She, headstrong? And you, come now, do you not always act as I wish?
The General You are no angel, and always wish what pleases me! By the bye, Vernon takes dinner with us after his autopsy.
Gertrude Was it necessary to tell me that?
The General I only told you, in order that he might have his favorite wines.
Felix (enters, announcing) Monsieur de Rimonville!
The General Ask him in.
Gertrude (making a sign to Felix to arrange the vase of flowers) I will go to Pauline's