The Triple Marriage | Page 8

right to brain you.
Trim Strike. I will make you see that I have degenerated not one whit
from the intrepidity of my forebears.

Matthews His impudence leaves me helpless, and I know no more
where I'm at than before. I order you to leave my house, and to never
let me see you again.
(Exit Matthews.)
Trim My word, I've had to withstand a rude assault--but, I brought it
off like a gentleman. Now, let's look for my master. I have to instruct
him.-- Here he is in the nick of time.
(Enter Walter.)
Walter What's the matter with you, Trim?
Trim Nothing. Just thinking about a terrible beating I almost got
because of you.
Walter Because of me! And who is the rogue who wished to beat you?
Trim Your honored father.
Walter I don't understand a word. Are you joking?
Trim No, indeed. The Countess of Cliffordshire has just informed Mr.
Matthews that we were nowhere near her nephew's estate.
Walter Ah, the old fool. She has sworn to make me unhappy. It isn't the
only evil she has done me.
Trim I know she's the devil.
Walter You know she's been in love with me for the last two years and
she's mad for me to respond to her.
Trim That's the truth! I've helped you deceive her a bit: you’ve had
some narrow escapes.
Walter Here, you see, she's coming to persecute me some more.
Trim Leave her to me. I'll give her her walking papers.
(Enter the Countess.)
Countess Well, sir, you've finally decided to stop hoping for me.
Walter Me, Madame? I have no intention of giving you any trouble.
Trim He doesn't think you're the only one in the world.
Countess I don't know about that! What's all this about your little
hunting trip?
Walter Madame, with your indulgence, I really don't have any story to
tell you.
Countess You don't owe me any explanation, little rogue! I can tell you
better. You must tell me now where you've been for the last eight days.
Are you pretending to me that you were with Clifford?---- I'm waiting,
faithless one, and I flatter myself that love will draw it from you.

Trim Madame, he prayed for love to lead him, but unfortunately, they
lost their way and became separated.
Countess Eh! You should have followed love, ingrate! How could you
be in league together, when I wasn't there?
Trim They didn't know their way, Madame. Or me either. Love is blind,
I hear tell--and when one takes love for a guide, it's easy to get lost.
Countess All this gallantry is useless. I want him to answer my
questions himself.
Walter It suits you, Madame, to reproach me--after all you have done to
embroil me with my father. If my absence bothered you, you should
have had an explanation with me--I would have explained everything.
But, after the service you have just done me, I will tell you plainly, you
will learn nothing.
Countess I will learn nothing! You will explain to me or I will strangle
you.
Trim Let it go, Madame--he's a bullhead, and won't say a thing. I will
respond to you; I will interpret his thoughts.
Countess Well--speak, and I will recompense you in accordance with
your sincerity.
Trim You have a very tender feeling for him.
Countess So much, you cannot imagine. I lose my wits, my poor Trim.
Trim It's apparent. You want him to respond with a tenderness equal to
your own.
Countess Haven't I the right to expect it?
Trim There are pros and cons to this business. He knows how you feel
toward him. He's a very penetrating fellow. There it is, Madame, I
wager a hundred pounds against you that he can never love you.
Countess He can never love me, villain? I don't know what prevents me
from scratching your eyes out.
Trim Softly, if you please. It is not I who am insensible to your
charms-- on the contrary, I find them very--piquant--although they're
not of the first edition.
Countess He can never love me! (to Walter) Is he speaking the truth,
perfidious wretch?
Walter Madame, in truth--I am in confusion, if my heart were---- Trim,
explain all this to Madame La Comtesse.
Countess He can never love me!

Trim No, Madame, but it's your fault, not his.
Countess It's my fault--after all that I've done?
Trim That's true. We don't disagree. But the fact is, you have such
nobility in your looks, such majesty, and I don't know what that's grave
and imposing--that it can only inspire him with esteem and respect.
Love doesn't rub off from such venerable personages.
Countess If my features inspire him with respect, my glances ought to
inspire him with love.
Trim That's where we disagree.
Countess You