The Triple Marriage | Page 3

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! Don't I know that your father is a brute who refuses to see my master--and that my master has a passion that forces him to see you despite your father. Therefore, for that reason, it follows--that my master must see you without your father seeing him. And me, like a discreet confidant,--it follows that I must see you both while seeing nothing. Go, children, profit by the opportunity. Two make a party. Have a nice time together while I amuse myself with this hussy.
Elizabeth Your valet makes me terribly nervous.
Manly Rogue! If you give me away, I will give you a hell of a beating when we are outside-- I cannot live without seeing you, my dear Elizabeth.
Jeremy Nor I, without kissing you, my dear Anna.
Manly I will enjoy the