The Triple Marriage | Page 8

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 cannot disagree.
Walter Hold, Madame, I've great obligations to you; I am too gallant a man not to speak to you sincerely. Let me then disabuse you, and say to you, with all respect, that I owe you that.
Countess Don't finish, you double crosser. I know where that little speech is going to end.
Trim But, you are very wrong, Madame.
Countess I am wrong, me! I am wrong! In what respect, if you please?
Trim You're wrong to come into the world twenty years before he did. Why were you in such a hurry? If you loved him with so much tenderness, you ought to have planned ahead, and seen to it that he was born five or six years before you.
Countess That depends on me?
Trim No, Madame. But it doesn't depend on him to love you.
Countess Then, why was it necessary to deceive me with false protestations?
Trim They were not his.
Countess And, whose then?
Trim His father's who let it all happen. You offered to help him in his needs. The occasion was pressing. He saw a way to profit by your generosity. For recompense you wanted signs of love. The poor boy put himself to incredible expense in sighs and protestations. You treated it as a trifle, and he had no other coin to pay you in.
Countess You say not a word to this, sir?
Walter My word, Madame, he who makes no protest consents.
Trim Would you like me to tell you a way to revenge yourself on him?
Countess You would give me a great satisfaction, because I am beside myself.
Trim And I, I who speak to you, I am in a rage against him. Let's stand a little further off.
Walter What the devil's he going to say to her?
Trim What are you looking for in a husband, Madame?"
Countess A nice young man.
Trim Well, I am your man. I will marry you, if you wish.
Countess Get away from me, you wretch!
Trim I will avenge you better than anyone else.
Countess Get out, I tell you--I have a more sure way to punish this infidel.
Trim That's what I'm afraid of.
Walter And, what have I to fear?
Countess Everything. I am going to marry you, in spite of yourself.
Walter Marry me! Ah, Madame, you wouldn't be as cruel as that.
Countess Yes, perjurer! I have just asked you