The Triple Marriage | Page 4

happiness heaven grants me now, knowing the perfect felicity will be followed by a long period of sighing. But don't make me worry for your life, that is the bounty that I beg on my knees.
Elizabeth Yes, I promise you, I'll be all right. Manly, get up--if you are caught in that position all will be lost.
Manly No--I won't get up until you swear to me.
Anna Peace! I hear someone.
(Enter Belinda, about ten years old.)
Belinda Ah, ah, my sister, I caught you at it. A man at your feet. It's very cute--really, ha, ha, ha.
Elizabeth Oh, I am in despair. She will tell everything to my father.
Jeremy Plague on the little critter.
Anna What do you want here, Miss?
Belinda You don't think of me. You each have one of your own, but you leave me without one.
Elizabeth What are you getting at, little scatterbrain?
Belinda Hey, yes, yes, little scatterbrain. This gentleman here didn't whisper sweet nothings in your ear--and this one didn't kiss Anna? Mere tricks!
Jeremy What do you want, little girl? If I understand you, I will give you a spanking.
Belinda A spanking. Ah, ah--listen.
Jeremy Yes, a spanking. Come one, bring me a switch right away.
Belinda Look at this drunk who wants to give me a whipping.
Jeremy Drunk! This little minx is too smart to live.
Anna Listen, little girl! Don't go telling stupid stories. It's your father himself who invited these gentlemen.
Belinda I am well aware he invited them. But to dance, not make love.
Elizabeth What? You have the impudence--
Belinda Come on, come on. I already know about THINGS. To be languorous, to throw himself at your feet, to kiss your hands tenderly, to cast dying looks--they call that making love--and I know perfectly well.
Manly This little creature is very dangerous!
Belinda I also caught my father doing the same thing this morning.
Anna Your father?
Belinda Yes, indeed. He was decked out like a young man. I didn't say anything to him about it, but I watched him carefully.-- When I'm big, I will remind him of it if he should try to prevent me from taking a lover.
Anna Here's the most naughty little pest I've ever known.
Belinda You're really irritated, aren't you, at what I've found out--for I can make you furious and revenge myself on my sister who treats me like a child, and who wants to be married before me.
Elizabeth Well, you can get married first. Don't say anything.
Belinda Good! I will marry first. You have the patience to wait till then? Come, come, sister, marry this gentleman quickly--then they will soon give me a chance to choose one for myself.
Elizabeth Didn't I tell you that this gentleman is a dancer, and that I don't find him attractive?
Belinda Hey, yes! A dancer! What a dancer!
Anna Certainly.
Belinda It's no use for him to hide behind his mask.
Elizabeth Go on, you're crazy.
Belinda Hey, no. I didn't see him down there drinking with the musicians; I didn't listen to him when he wasn't aware of it. He told them he'd give them plenty of money if they would pretend he was one of them-- that he would be so upset, so upset, if my father saw him. Oh, if he's so afraid of my father, then he must be your lover--for my father doesn't want you to have any lovers. He's very wrong, because I think this is very amusing.
Elizabeth How miserable I am!
Belinda Go, go, fear nothing, sister, put your affairs in repose. I will prevent papa from coming here when he gets back--but, on the condition that you will help me when I get big.
Elizabeth I swear it.
Anna Me, too.
(Exit Belinda.)
Anna That little girl promises much. A ten year old to discover a secret intrigue!
Elizabeth I swear to you that I'm terribly nervous and I believe that although you just got here, it would be better for you to leave.
Anna And I, for one, think it isn't necessary. Count on Belinda saying nothing. Wait till she gets married. What a talent for pacifying a jealous husband. The man will be lost--for husbands in this country are the nicest in the world and it doesn't take much skill to trap them.
Elizabeth Anna, really!--it would be better if you kept your mind on how to help us, instead of giving vent to such silly ideas!
Anna As you like. I am going to tell that precocious little girl not to say a word to your father.
Elizabeth I will be very much obliged to you.
Anna On my word, here he is himself.
Elizabeth Oh, we are discovered.
Jeremy Watch yourselves carefully.
(Enter Mr. Matthews.)
Matthews Good day, my dear, how are you feeling?
Elizabeth Not very ill today, papa.
Anna I wager it was Miss Belinda who sent you here.
Matthews Oh no, she didn't want me to come. She told me Elizabeth had left with you to take a walk