The Triple Marriage | Page 3

Elizabeth After all the proofs you've given me of your affection, I am
sure you wouldn't want me to be lost--and lost I will be, if you tell
anyone what I am about to confide in you.
Anna I swear to you that your interests are more dear to me than my
own.
Elizabeth First of all, I swear to you that I love Manly with all my
heart.
Anna I never doubted that for a minute.
Elizabeth And, I have promised to love him all my life.
Anna You shouldn't make such a promise; a girl should never pin
herself down like that.
Elizabeth (puzzled) Why?
Anna Because a hundred to one, she will be unable to keep her word.
Elizabeth I will keep mine with Manly.
Anna (maliciously) You don't intend to marry him then?
Elizabeth To the contrary, I've promised never to marry anyone else.
Anna My word, Miss, love and marriage have been divorced for a long
time and have sworn never to live together. I hold their oaths are more
likely to be kept than yours.
Elizabeth Stop joking; Manly and I have found a way to keep in touch.
Anna I wish it. Is that all you have to tell me?
Elizabeth I tremble to tell you the rest.
Anna Oh! Oh! I'm afraid you've quenched your thirst en route.
Elizabeth What do you meant by that?
Anna You know what I mean by it.-- Continue!

Elizabeth As Manly is my equal in birth, and besides has a considerable
fortune, we agreed that one of his friends should go to my father
without naming Manly as the person in question, to find out if my
father would be willing to give me in marriage to a person who is
perfectly suited to me.
Anna Good.
Elizabeth I cannot tell you how coldly he was received. In a word, my
father absolutely refused everybody who was named.
Anna Death! There's a father who deserves a daughter who will marry
herself.
Elizabeth Would you do such a thing?
Anna Me? Ten times!
Elizabeth Well, my poor Anna, I have already taken your advice. We've
already secretly married-- My aunt witnessed it at her house, where I
am able to meet Manly. Unfortunately, my happiness won't last long.
My father is alarmed at the frequent visits I make to my aunt. He has
ordered me not to go there and has forbidden Manly to come here. I am
in despair and my fret has throne me into a sickness I think I'll die of.
Anna I am delighted to know all this-- And I want to help you-- But
what do I see?
(Enter Manly and Jeremy dressed as dancers.)
Jeremy Come, sir, courage, we must kiss the hands of those two young
ladies.
Manly Shut up, you rogue, and think of showing some respect.
Jeremy My word, I'm a little drunk. Drinking and respectfulness do not
keep the same company.
Manly I fear this bibbler will ruin my plans. What a misfortune to have
need of you.
Elizabeth Anna, who are these people?
Anna They are two of the dancers your father has brought. They are
dressed to amuse, apparently.
Jeremy Yes, my ladies, we come to give you a little moment of sport.
Anna I know that mug!
Jeremy Mug! Oh! Mug yourself!
Manly (to Jeremy) Will you shut up?
Elizabeth What do I hear? It's Manly's voice-- It's Manly that I see. Ah,
Heaven!

Manly Don't be frightened, Elizabeth. Yes, it is Manly who presents
himself to you, and who cuts through insurmountable obstacles to
obtain the pleasure of seeing you.
Elizabeth You couldn't surprise me more agreeably. My joy is so great
that I can hardly speak. But my happiness is cruelly crossed by the fact
that my father will discover you.
Manly I beg you not to worry; this disguise hides me from his eyes so
effectively that he has no idea I am here--besides, he's seen me too
infrequently to spot me in this get-up.
Elizabeth And how did you get in?
Manly I sent the dancers and musicians to your home and paid them
some money to introduce me as one of their comrades. I thought it was
wise that Jeremy play a role, too. Jeremy doesn't dance badly, and I
only do passably well--and we ought to appear indistinguishable in the
little divertissement that is being prepared.
Anna And, how can Jeremy help you? He is so drunk that he doesn't
know what's going on.
Jeremy Don't worry, I'm never better than when I'm drunk. On my oath,
I was born to be a musician.
Anna It would seem so. You're well adapted to your part.
Elizabeth This man will infallibly give you away.
Jeremy Eh! What a thing to say!