The Village Coquette | Page 6

is undeceived, I will be satisfied.
Girard May he see her half-married to the Baron.
Widow Completely married, if necessary.
Girard Completely? Hell, no!
Widow He's coming.
Girard My insurance which I well know how to use--
(Enter Baron. Girard presents a packet to the Baron.)
Girard I am returning from the post office and I have the honor to give the gentleman what he asked me to bring.
(Exit Girard.)
Baron (to Widow) Neighbor, my love is going to make me despair. Lisette intends to leave.
Widow I take the place of mother to her. I guarantee her tender, wise, and sincere. You don't know how much she is worth. She wants a contract, that's her only fault. And, you don't wish to make one.
Baron I intend to marry her. Who told you otherwise? But, to do such a thing, the later the better. I will marry when I am much older.
Widow Eh! You are old enough, sir, for a wife.
Baron I am very irresolute. I blame myself for it. Ha, ha, good, this letter is from one of my friends. It's for the lottery we've all subscribed to.
Widow Is it, then, published?
Baron Yes, exactly. It's the list.
Widow I am sure to win. A physiognomist has seen great sums of money on my face. What I must do, he told me, to earn it, is to buy a lottery. It's the most prompt way to win for a wise woman.
Baron Hum! Hum! I know, by heart, the puzzle of each. The numbers, the names, I don't see one. Let's read-- Ah!
Widow What's the matter?
Baron Something I see irritates me.
Widow What is it, then? From where does this sudden dolor come?
Baron Lucas: one hundred thousand francs.
Widow To the farmer, the Grand Prize? But, let's see. Reread it. Is it, indeed, his name? Lucas?
Baron I am not the master of my scorn.
Widow Grand Prize to Lucas? You are ruining us, traitor.
Baron To Lucas, the Grand Prize.
Widow You won't allow it. Oh, Fate, unjust Fate, that Lucas be enriched.
Baron I cannot recover. His good fortune desolates me.
Widow (pretending a quick thought, accompanied by joy) But, let us rejoice and laugh.
Baron Are you crazy?
Widow No, at first we both had a stupid inspiration. It's surprised us.
Baron Well?
Widow You are angry that chance has just enriched Lisette's fortune. Fortune, on the contrary, is favoring you. It has determined to make you happy.
Baron Oh, oh!
Widow For the money, and without any love, these days, the most noble marry Lisettes.
Baron Right, one hundred thousand francs would pay off my debts. This motive and love will excuse all.
Widow Yes, but you must marry instantly, before this lottery becomes known. This is delicacy. She will believe she owes your tenderness more. Lucas will get the Grand Prize, but while he is unaware of it, the fool must be taken, so that he gives all his wealth to Lisette. Wealth, present and to come.
Baron Yes, but be discreet. I will say that I am taking Lisette without a sou.
Widow The joke is that everybody will believe you're a fool.
(Enter Lisette.)
Baron Here, Lisette, here.
(The Widow goes to find Lisette, who listens from the depths of the theatre.)
Widow Your fortune is made, Lisette. It is I who am procuring it. Hug me, Lisette.
Baron Your tears have softened me, Lisette. I surrender. Let's sign the contract as quickly as I can inform the notary.
Lisette (aside, while the Widow and the Baron talk in low voices) Do they wish to deceive me? For I understand nothing. (she dreams profoundly)
(Enter Argon.)
Argon (aside) An explanation would be very nice here.
Lisette Ah, here they both are. All is lost. What to do?
Argon (to the Baron) What did Girard warn me? But, it's your custom. I've often seen you boast of love. You believe yourself loved by Lisette, then, sir?
Baron The proof of this is that I am making her my wife.
Argon Girard made no mistake. You intend to overwhelm her with your wealth. But she cannot betray her love for me.
Baron She hasn't any love for you. I swear it.
Argon It's you who flatter yourself to a fault, I assure you.
Baron I tell you, she has never loved anyone but me.
Argon I am sure of her heart and her good faith. Decide between us to finish the dispute.
Baron I disdain it. Repeat for the one hundredth time that you love me tenderly.
Lisette Me, tell you that? Truly, I take little care, sir. It is from respect that I let you speak. I believed, at first, that you were boasting, to laugh. But, without offending you, sir, I will tell you, I have no love for you, nor will I ever have.
Baron What? Why?
Widow What does she say? Ah, how great is my shock!
Baron What do you say?
Argon Must she tell you again?
Baron What? Haven't you said a hundred times that you love me?
Lisette Me? No.
Argon (charmed)