Bertram (refusing).-My wife does not want a cap. The Countess. You may rely upon our discretion. Bertram (with a smile of contempt).-I see that you rely upon mine. The Countess.-Yes, my dear Bertram, I do rely upon it. . . . Would you like ... Bertram.-You are right. . . . All considered, it is better to keep your shot for partridges. My lady and gentlemen, your servant. Here, Medor! (He goes out.) Edward (calling out of the window).-Heigh! ho, there! gentlemen. Good news! It was a false alarm. Come back. Ha ha ha! There is one gone down in the pond. He is all over mud! . . . Come back! come back! Cousin, you will patronise me at court, wont you? You will speak to the Emperor of the feelings of love and respect that I vow to him. The Countess.-Edward! The Count.-What am I to say to them? The Countess.-Leave that to me. (The Baron of Machicoulis, the Count of Fierdonjon, the Marquis de Malespine, the Chevalier de Thimbray, all come in again. The Count of Fierdonjon all wet, and covered with mud.) The Count of Fier donjon.-Ah! cursed house. I shall be a cripple for the rest of my days! You say, then, that there is no danger? The Countess (to the Count of Fierdonjon).-What has happened, my lord? The Baron de Machicoulis.-In running away he fell into the pond, and the key, which he had in his hand, has remained at the bottom of the water. Were it not for that, we should by this time be out in the open country. But have the gendarmes arrested Bertram? I do not see him here. The Countess.-No; but the news we have just received is very sad, in that it totally breaks up our plans. The Count of Fierdonjon.—Is that all? The Countess.-An unexpected blow has just struck us. We are obliged to set out immediately for Paris. My Mon mari vient d'être nommé chambellan de l'impératrice; et comme, s'il refusait, il se compromettrait ainsi que ses amis. Edouard.-Il accepte, il se dévoue! Vous le voyez tout accablé, ce pauvre cousin. Fierdonjon (à part).—Chambellan de l'impératrice! c'est une belle place. (Haut.) Pourriez-vous me faire donner de quoi changer? (Il sort.) Le Baron de Machicoulis.--Je vois que je n'ai plus rien à faire ici. (Il sort.) La Comtesse (le reconduisant).—Adieu, baron, réservonsnous pour des temps plus heureux. Le Chevalier de Thimbray (au Comte).-Monsieur, mon fils va bientôt tirer pour la conscription. Il étudie à Paris : c'est un excellent sujet; ne pourrait-il pas, au moyen de votre crédit. . . . (Il lui parle bas.) Le Marquis de Malespine.-Puisque vous allez à Paris, puis-je espérer que vous voudrez bien me recommander au grand juge pour ce maudit procès qui . . . (Il lui parle bas.) Le Comte.-Soyez-en sûrs, mes chers amis, je ne vous oublierai jamais . . . et si jamais quelque jour ... Hélas! ... Adieu, mes bons amis ! (Le Marquis et le Chevalier sortent.) Edouard.-Eh bien, cousine, à quand ma conversion? La Comtesse.-Laissez-moi faire je veux qu'avant deux mois vous soyez capitaine dans la garde. (Au Comte.) Mon ami, il faut partir demain pour Paris, et remercier Sa Majesté de la faveur qu'elle vous accorde. . Je vous suivrai de près aussitôt que mes parures de cour seront prêtes. Edouard me ramènera à Paris. Edouard.—Oui, ma cousine, je vous mènerai à Paris. . . . (A part.) Tambour battant. husband has just been appointed Chamberlain to the Empress; and as, should he refuse, he would, by that, compromise his friends . . Edward. He accepts. He devotes himself. You see he is quite depressed, poor cousin. The Count of Fierdonjon (aside).—Chamberlain to the Empress! That's a capital post! (Aloud.) Could you spare a change of clothing? (He goes out.) The Baron de Machicoulis.-I see that there is nothing more for me to do here. (He goes out.) The Countess (attending him to the door).-Good-bye, Baron; let us keep ourselves in store for happier times. The Chevalier de Thimbray (to the Count).-My son, dear Count, will soon have to draw for the Conscription. He is at present a student in Paris, and has a very good character. Could he not, owing to your influence (He whispers to him.) The Marquis de Malespine.-As you are going to Paris, may I hope that you will do me the favour to recommend me to the chief justice for that troublesome suit which (he whispers to him). Alas! The Count.-Be sure, my dear friends, that I will never forget you and if ever, at any time Good-bye, my good friends. (Exeunt Marquis and Chevalier) .. Edward.-Well, cousin, when am I to be converted ? * The Countess.-Leave that to me; before two months are over, I mean you to have a captaincy in the Guards. (To the Count.) My dear, you must start to-morrow for Paris, to thank his Majesty for the favour he has bestowed upon us. . . . I will follow you closely, as soon as my court dresses are all ready. . . . Edward will see me back to Paris. Edward. Yes, dear cousin, I will take you to Paris (aside) in triumph. *To the Royal cause. 34. UNE COMMISSION TÉNÉBREUSE. Louis XI. vient de congédier un envoyé porteur d'un message qu'il serait prudent de ne pas laisser parvenir à son adresse. -Encore un pas. Tristan.-J'écouterai des yeux, vous pouvez, parler bas. Quoi que fasse mon maître, il a toujours raison. Louis. Pourtant à mon cousin si l'avenir réserve Un revers décisif . . . Que le ciel l'en préserve! Tristan. Moi, le vœu que je fais, c'est qu'il n'y manque [rien. Louis.-Tu n'es pas bon, Tristan; ton vœu n'est pas Mais si Dieu l'accomplit, tout change alors. Tristan. [chiétien. -Sans doute. Louis.-Laisser aux mains du comte un traité qui me Tristan.-Comment aréantir un acte qu' il emporte ? Louis. Je lui donne au départ une brillante escorte. 34. SUSPICIOUS INSTRUCTIONS. The King Louis XI. of France has just dismissed an ambassador, with an answer to the Duke of Burgundy, and is anxious that the message should not reach its destination. Louis, Tristram (known as Tristram the hermit). Louis.-Come. Tristram.-Here I am. Louis.- Closer. Tristram.-So? Lord. Louis.-One step nearer. Tristram.-I shall see what you say, you may talk low. Louis.-Well! I have forgiven the offence of this vassal. Tristram. So you said. Louis. It is true. Tristram.-I thence conclude 'tis wise. Louis. I am treating with him. Tristram.-You? Louis. Does that surprise you? Tristram.-No. Whatever my master does, he is always right. Louis. Yet, if Providence reserves for my cousin a decisive failure. May heaven forfend it! ... Tristram.-My prayer is that nothing should avert it. Louis.-Thou'rt not kind, Tristram, thy prayer is unchristianly. But if God should grant it, then the matter alters. Tristram.-No doubt. Louis. To leave in the hands of the Count a treaty so objectionable to me, is that wise? Tristram.-Both the treaty and the bearer are at your mercy. Louis. The laws of nations must be respected. Not here, no, nothing here? Tristram.-How then destroy a document he carries with him? Louis. I give him for his return a brilliant escort. |