Part 7
GERONTE. DALANCOURT, _his nephew._ DORVAL, _the friend of Geronte._ VALERIO, _the lover of Angelica._ PICCARDO, _the servant of Geronte._ A SERVANT _of Dalancourt._ MADAME DALANCOURT. ANGELICA, _sister of Dalancourt._ MARTUCCIA, _housekeeper to Geronte._
_The Scene is in Paris, at the house of_ GERONTE.
THE BENEFICENT BEAR.
## ACT I.
## SCENE I.--Martuccia, Angelica, _and_ Valerio.
_Ang._ Valerio, leave me, I entreat you; I fear for myself, I fear for you. Ah! if we should be surprised--
_Val._ My dear Angelica!
_Mar._ Do go, sir.
_Val._ [_To_ Martuccia.] One moment more. If I could be well assured--
_Mar._ Of what?
_Val._ Of her love--of her constancy.
_Ang._ Ah, Valerio! can you doubt it?
_Mar._ Go, go, sir; she loves you but too well.
_Val._ This is the happiness of my life--
_Mar._ Quick, go away. If my master should come in suddenly!
_Ang._ [_To_ Martuccia.] He never leaves his room so early.
_Mar._ That is true; but you know he walks and amuses himself in this room. Here are his chessmen, and here he often plays. Oh, don't you know Signor Geronte?
_Val._ Pardon me, he is Angelica's uncle. I know my father was his friend, but I have never spoken to him.
_Mar._ He is a man, sir, of a most singular character. At bottom a most worthy man, but impatient, and peculiar to the last degree.
_Ang._ Yes, he tells me he loves me, and I believe him; but while he tells me so, he makes me tremble.
_Val._ [_To_ Angelica.] What have you to fear? you have neither father nor mother. You are at your brother's disposal, and he is my friend; I will speak to him.
_Mar._ Ah! Exactly! Trust to Signor Dalancourt.
_Val._ Well, can he refuse me?
_Mar._ Indeed, I think he can.
_Val._ Why so?
_Mar._ Listen; I will explain the whole matter in a few words. My nephew, your brother the lawyer's new clerk, has told me what I will now tell you. He has been with him only a fortnight, I heard it from him this morning; but he confided it to me as the greatest secret: for Heaven's sake do not betray me!
_Val._ Do not fear.
_Ang._ You know me.
_Mar._ [_Speaking in a low tone to_ Valerio, _and looking towards the door_.] Signor Dalancourt is a ruined man, overwhelmed. He has run through all his fortune, and perhaps his sister's dowry too. Angelica is a burden too great for him to bear, and to free himself from it, he means to shut her up in a convent.
_Ang._ Oh, Heavens! What do you tell me?
_Val._ Can it be possible? I have known him a long time. Dalancourt always appeared to me a young man of good sense and honourable principles; sometimes impetuous, and apt to take offence, but--
_Mar._ Impetuous--oh, most impetuous!--a match for his uncle, but far from having his uncle's excellent feelings.
_Val._ He is esteemed, beloved by every one. His father was perfectly satisfied with him.
_Mar._ Ah, sir, since his marriage he is no longer the same man.
_Val._ Can it be that Madame Dalancourt--
_Mar._ Yes, she, they say, is the cause of this great change. Signor Geronte is deeply offended with his nephew for his foolish compliance with the whims of his wife, and--I know nothing, but I would lay a wager that this plan of the convent is of her contrivance.
_Ang._ [_To_ Martuccia.] You surprise me. My sister-in-law, whom I looked on as so discreet, who showed me so much friendship! I never could have thought it.
_Val._ I know her, and cannot believe it.
_Mar._ Surely you are not serious? Does any lady dress more elegantly? Is there any new fashion that she does not immediately adopt? At balls and plays, is she not always the first?
_Val._ But her husband is ever at her side.
_Ang._ Yes, my brother never leaves her.
_Mar._ Well, they are both fools, and both will be ruined together.
_Val._ It is impossible.
_Mar._ Very well, very well. I have told you what you wanted to know. Now go at once, and do not expose my mistress to the danger of losing her uncle's favour. He alone can be of any service to her.
_Val._ Keep calm, Angelica. No question of interest shall ever form an obstacle.
_Mar._ I hear a noise. Go at once. [_Exit_ Valerio.
_Ang._ How miserable I am!
_Mar._ There's your uncle coming. Did I not tell you so?
_Ang._ I am going.
_Mar._ No, remain here, and open your heart to him.
_Ang._ I would as soon put my hand in the fire.
_Mar._ Come, come; he is sometimes a little hasty, but he has not a bad heart.
_Ang._ You direct his household, you have influence with him; speak to him for me.
_Mar._ No, you must speak to him yourself; all I can do is to hint at the matter, and dispose him to listen to you.
_Ang._ Yes, yes, say something to him, and I will speak to him afterwards. [_Going._]
_Mar._ Remain here.
_Ang._ No, no; when it is time, call me. I shall not be far off. [_Exit_ Angelica.
Martuccia, _alone_.
_Mar._ How gentle she is--how amiable. I have been with her from her babyhood. I love her; I am distressed for her, and wish to see her happy. Here he is.
_Enter_ Geronte.
_Ger._ [_To_ Martuccia.] Where's Piccardo?
_Mar._ Signor--
_Ger._ Call Piccardo!
_Mar._ Yes, sir. But may I say one word to you?
_Ger._ [_Very impatiently._] Piccardo, Piccardo!
_Mar._ [_In the same tone._] Piccardo, Piccardo!
_Enter_ Piccardo.
_Pic._ Here, sir; here, sir.
_Mar._ [_To_ Piccardo _angrily._] Your master--
_Pic._ [_To_ Geronte.] Here I am, sir.
_Ger._ Go to my friend Dorval, and tell him I am waiting to play a game of chess with him.
_Pic._ Yes, sir, but--
_Ger._ But what?
_Pic._ I have a commission--
_Ger._ To do what?
_Pic._ From your nephew.
_Ger._ [_In a passion._] Go to Dorval's.
_Pic._ He wishes to speak to you.
_Ger._ Begone, sir!
_Pic._ What a man! [_Exit._
_Ger._ A madman--a miserable creature! No, I will not see him; I will not permit him to come and disturb my tranquillity. [_Goes to the table._]
_Mar._ [_Aside._] There, he is in a rage at once. Most unfortunate for me.
_Ger._ [_Sitting down._] What a move that was I made yesterday! what a fatality! How in the world could I be checkmated with a game so well arranged? Let me see; this game kept me awake the whole night. [_Looking over the game._]
_Mar._ May I speak to you, sir?
_Ger._ No.
_Mar._ No! But I have something important to say to you.
_Ger._ Well, what have you to say? let me hear it.
_Mar._ Your niece wishes to speak to you.
_Ger._ I have no time now.
_Mar._ Really! Is what you are about, then, of such very great importance?
_Ger._ Yes, of the utmost importance; I don't often amuse myself, and then I do not choose to be plagued to death. Do you hear?
_Mar._ This poor girl--
_Ger._ What has happened to her?
_Mar._ They want to shut her up in a convent.
_Ger._ In a convent!--To shut my niece in a convent! to dispose of my niece without my approbation, without my knowing anything about it!
_Mar._ You know your nephew's embarrassments.
_Ger._ I have nothing to do with my nephew's embarrassments, nor his wife's follies. He has his own property; if he squanders it, if he ruins himself, so much the worse for him. But as for my niece, I am the head of the family, I am the master; it is for me to provide for her.
_Mar._ So much the better for her, sir, so much the better. I am glad to see you get so warm in the dear girl's behalf.
_Ger._ Where is she?
_Mar._ She is near, sir. Wait a moment--
_Ger._ Let her come in.
_Mar._ Yes, she most earnestly desires to do so, but--
_Ger._ But what?
_Mar._ She is timid.
_Ger._ Well, what then?
_Mar._ If you speak to her--
_Ger._ I must speak to her.
_Mar._ Yes, but in this tone of voice--
_Ger._ The tone of my voice hurts nobody; let her come and rely on my heart, not on my tone of voice.
_Mar._ That is true, sir. I know you; you are good, humane, charitable; but I entreat you, do not frighten the poor girl; speak to her with a little gentleness.
_Ger._ Yes, I will speak to her with gentleness.
_Mar._ You promise me?
_Ger._ I promise you.
_Mar._ Do not forget it.
_Ger._ [_Beginning to be impatient._] No.
_Mar._ Above all, do not get impatient.
_Ger._ [_Impatiently._] I tell you, no.
_Mar._ I tremble for Angelica. [_Exit._
Geronte, _alone_.
_Ger._ She is right; I sometimes suffer myself to be carried away by my irritable temper. My niece deserves to be treated with tenderness.
_Enter_ Angelica.--_She remains at a distance._
_Ger._ Come near.
_Ang._ Sir? [_Timidly advancing one step._]
_Ger._ [_Warmly._] How can you expect me to hear you when you are three miles off?
_Ang._ Excuse me, sir. [_She approaches him, trembling._]
_Ger._ What have you to say to me?
_Ang._ Has not Martuccia told you something?
_Ger._ [_At first gently, then by degrees he gets excited._] Yes, she has spoken to me of you, of that insensate brother of yours, that extravagant fellow, who suffers himself to be led by the nose by his silly wife, who is ruined, utterly lost, and has no longer any respect for me. [_Angelica moves as though to go away._] Where are you going? [_Very impetuously._]
_Ang._ You are angry, sir.
_Ger._ Well, what is that to you? If I get angry at a blockhead, I am not angry with you. Come near; speak; you must not be afraid of my anger.
_Ang._ My dear uncle, I can't speak to you unless I see you calm.
_Ger._ What martyrdom! Well, I am calm. Speak. [_Trying to compose himself._]
_Ang._ Martuccia, sir, has told you--
_Ger._ I don't mind what Martuccia says. I want to hear it from yourself.
_Ang._ My brother--
_Ger._ Your brother--
_Ang._ Wishes to shut me up in a convent.
_Ger._ Well, do you wish to go into a convent?
_Ang._ But, sir--
_Ger._ [_With warmth._] Well! Speak.
_Ang._ It is not for me to decide.
_Ger._ [_With a little more warmth._] I do not say it is for you to decide, but I want to know your inclination.
_Ang._ You make me tremble, sir.
_Ger._ [_Aside, restraining himself._] I shall burst with rage.--Come near. I understand, then, a convent is not to your liking?
_Ang._ No, sir.
_Ger._ For what have you an inclination?
_Ang._ Sir--
_Ger._ Do not be afraid. I am calm. Speak freely.
_Ang._ Ah! I have not the courage.
_Ger._ Come here. Do you wish to be married?
_Ang._ Sir--
_Ger._ Yes or no?
_Ang._ If you desire--
_Ger._ Yes or no?
_Ang._ Well, yes--
_Ger._ Yes! you wish to be married! to lose your liberty, your tranquillity! Very well; so much the worse for you. Yes, I will marry you.
_Ang._ [_Aside._] How good he is for all his hasty temper!
_Ger._ Have you an inclination for any one in particular?
_Ang._ [_Aside._] Now, if I had the courage to speak to him of Valerio!
_Ger._ Well, have you any lover?
_Ang._ [_Aside._] This is not the opportune moment. I will get Martuccia to speak to him.
_Ger._ Come, come, let us end the matter. The house in which you live, the persons you see, may perhaps have led you to form an attachment. I wish to know the truth. Yes, I will do something handsome for you, but on the condition that you deserve it. Do you understand? [_With great warmth._]
_Ang._ [_Trembling._] Yes, sir.
_Ger._ Speak openly, frankly. Have you any attachment? [_In the same tone._]
_Ang._ [_Hesitating and trembling._] But--no, sir.--No, sir, I have none.
_Ger._ So much the better. I will find a husband for you.
_Ang._ Oh, God! I should not like, sir--
_Ger._ What is it?
_Ang._ You know my timidity.
_Ger._ Yes, yes, your timidity. I know womankind; now you are a dove, but get married, and you will be a hawk.
_Ang._ Ah, my uncle! since you are so good--
_Ger._ Yes, too good.
_Ang._ Let me tell you--
_Ger._ Dorval not come yet! [_Going to the table._]
_Ang._ Hear me, my dear uncle.
_Ger._ Don't disturb me now. [_Intent on the chessboard._]
_Ang._ One single word--
_Ger._ [_Impatiently._] Enough has been said.
_Ang._ [_Aside._] Oh, Heaven! I am more unhappy than ever. Ah, my dear Martuccia will not abandon me! [_Exit._
Geronte, _alone_.
_Ger._ She is a good girl; I would willingly do all I can for her. If she had any attachment, I would endeavour to please her, but she has none. I will see, I will look about. But what in the world detains Dorval? Is he never coming? I long to try that cursed combination again that made me lose the last game. Certainly, I ought to have won it--he did not beat me, I beat myself. I must have lost my senses. Let us see a little. My pieces were placed so, and Dorval's so. I moved the king to his castle's square; Dorval placed his bishop on his king's second square. I--check--yes, I take the pawn--Dorval--he takes my bishop,--Dorval--yes, he takes my bishop, and I--give check with my knight. By Jove! Dorval loses his queen. He plays his king, and I take his queen. Yes, the fellow, with his king, has taken my knight. But so much the worse for him. Now he is in my nets; his king is fast. Here is my queen; Yes, here she is. Checkmate. It is clear. Checkmate, and the game is won. Ah! if Dorval would come, he should see it.--[_Calls._] Piccardo!
_Enter_ Dalancourt.
_Dal._ [_Apart, and in much confusion._] My uncle is alone; if he will listen to me!
_Ger._ I will place the pieces as they were at first. [_Not seeing_ Dalancourt, _he calls loudly._] Piccardo!
_Dal._ Sir--
_Ger._ [_Without turning, and supposing he is speaking to_ Piccardo.] Well, have you found Dorval?
_Enter_ Dorval.
_Dor._ Here I am, my friend.
_Dal._ [_With resolution._] My uncle.
_Ger._ [_Turning, sees_ Dalancourt, _rises quickly, throws down the chair, and goes out without speaking._]
## SCENE II.--Dalancourt _and_ Dorval.
_Dor._ [_Laughing._] What is the meaning of this scene?
_Dal._ It is dreadful! All this because he has seen me.
_Dor._ [_In the same manner._] Geronte is my friend. I know his disposition perfectly.
_Dal._ I am sorry on your account.
_Dor._ Indeed, I came at an unlucky time.
_Dal._ Excuse his violence.
_Dor._ [_Smiling._] Oh, I'll scold him; I'll scold him.
_Dal._ Ah, my friend, you are the only person who can do anything for me with him.
_Dor._ I will do what I can, with all my heart, but--
_Dal._ I agree that, from appearances, my uncle has reason to be offended with me; but if he could read the bottom of my heart, all his affection for me would return, and he would never repent it.
_Dor._ Yes, I know your character, and I believe everything might be hoped from you; but your wife--
_Dal._ My wife, sir! Ah, you do not know her. All the world is mistaken about her, and my uncle especially. I must do her justice, and let the truth be known. She knows nothing of the embarrassments by which I am overwhelmed. She thought me richer than I was, and I have always concealed my affairs from her. I love her. We were married very young. I have never permitted her to ask for anything--to want anything. I have always endeavoured to anticipate her wishes, and to provide for her pleasures. In this way I have ruined myself. [_Earnestly._]
_Dor._ To please a lady--to anticipate her desires! That is no easy task.
_Dal._ I am certain, had she known my situation, she would have been the first to forbid the expenses I have indulged in to please her.
_Dor._ Yet she did not forbid them.
_Dal._ No, because she had no fear--
_Dor._ My poor friend!
_Dal._ [_Afflicted._] Indeed I am poor.
_Dor._ [_Still smiling._] I pity you.
_Dal._ [_With warmth._] You are making a jest of me.
_Dor._ [_Still laughing._] By no means; but--you love your wife prodigiously?
_Dal._ Yes, I love her; I have always loved her, and shall love her as long as I live; I know her, know all her worth, and will not suffer any one to accuse her of faults which she has not.
_Dor._ [_Seriously._] Gently, my friend, gently; you have a little too much of the family hastiness.
_Dal._ [_With much warmth._] Pardon me, I would not for the world offend you; but when my wife is spoken of--
_Dor._ Well, well, let us speak of her no more.
_Dal._ But I wish you to be convinced.
_Dor._ [_Coldly._] Yes, I am convinced.
_Dal._ [_With much earnestness._] No, you are not.
_Dor._ [_A little excited._] Excuse me, I tell you I am.
_Dal._ Very well, I believe you, and am delighted that you are. Now, my dear friend, speak to my uncle on my behalf.
_Dor._ Most willingly will I do so.
_Dal._ How much obliged to you I shall be!
_Dor._ But we must be able to give him some reasons. How have you managed to ruin yourself in so short a time? It is only four years since your father died, leaving you a handsome fortune, and it is said you have spent it all.
_Dal._ If you knew all the misfortunes that have happened to me! Seeing my affairs were in disorder, I wished to remedy them, and the remedy was worse than the disease: I listened to new schemes, engaged in new speculations, pledged my property, and have lost everything.
_Dor._ Here lies the error--new projects; the ruin of many another man.
_Dal._ And my condition is utterly hopeless.
_Dor._ You have been very wrong, my friend, especially as you have a sister.
_Dal._ Yes; and it is now time to think of providing for her.
_Dor._ Every day she grows more beautiful. Madame Dalancourt receives much company in her house, and youth, my dear friend, sometimes--you understand me?
_Dal._ Regarding this point, I have on reflection found an expedient; I think of placing her in a convent.
_Dor._ Place her in a convent! A good plan; but have you consulted your uncle?
_Dal._ No; he will not hear me; but you must speak to him for me and for Angelica. My uncle esteems and loves you, listens to you, confides in you, and will refuse you nothing.
_Dor._ I have great doubts of this.
_Dal._ I am sure of it. Pray try to see him, and speak to him at once.
_Dor._ I will do so; but where is he gone?
_Dal._ I will find out.--Let us see--Is any one there? [_Calls._
_Enter_ Piccardo.
_Pic._ [_To_ Dalancourt.] Here, sir.
_Dal._ Is my uncle gone from home?
_Pic._ No, sir; he went into the garden.
_Dal._ Into the garden! at this time of day?
_Pic._ For him it is all the same. When he is a little out of temper, he walks about and goes out to take the air.
_Dor._ I will go and join him.
_Dal._ I know my uncle, sir; you must give him time to get calm. It is better to wait for him here.
_Dor._ But if he goes out, he may not return here again.
_Pic._ [_To_ Dorval.] Pardon me, sir, it will not be long before he is here: I know his temper, a few minutes will be sufficient. I can assure you he will be much pleased to see you.
_Dal._ Well, my dear friend, go into his room. Do me the favour to wait for him there.
_Dor._ Willingly; I understand perfectly how cruel your situation is. Some remedy must be provided; yes, I will speak to him, but on condition--
_Dal._ [_With warmth._] I give you my word of honour.
_Dor._ It is sufficient.
[_Exit into_ Geronte's _room._
_Dal._ You did not tell my uncle what I told you to tell him?
_Pic._ Pardon me, sir, I have told him, but he drove me away, according to his custom.
_Dal._ I am sorry for it; let me know when the moment is favourable for me to speak to him. Some day I will reward you for your services.
_Pic._ I am much obliged to you, sir; but, thank Heaven, I am in want of nothing.
_Dal._ You are rich, then?
_Pic._ I am not rich, but I have a master who will not let me want for anything. I have a wife and four children, and ought to be in the greatest straits of any man in the world; but my master is so good, that I support them without difficulty, and distress is unknown in my house. [_Exit._
Dalancourt, _alone_.
_Dal._ Ah, my uncle is an excellent man. If Dorval can have any influence over him--If I can hope to receive assistance equal to my wants--If I can keep it concealed from my wife--Ah, why have I deceived her? Why have I deceived myself? My uncle does not return. Every minute is precious for me. In the meantime, I will go to my lawyer's. Oh, with what pain I go to him! It is true, he flatters me that, notwithstanding the decree, he will find means to gain time; but quibbles are so odious, my feelings suffer, and my honour is affected. Wretched are they who are forced to resort to expedients so discreditable.
_Enter_ Madame Dalancourt.
_Dal._ Here comes my wife. [_Seeing her._]
_Mad._ Ah, my husband! are you here? I have been looking everywhere for you.
_Dal._ I was going out.
_Mad._ I met that savage just now; he is scolding and scolding wherever he goes.
_Dal._ Do you mean my uncle?
_Mad._ Yes. Seeing a ray of sunshine, I went to walk in the garden, and there I met him. He was stamping his feet, talking to himself, but in a loud voice. Tell me, has he any married servants in his house?
_Dal._ Yes.
_Mad._ It must have been this. He said a great many had things of the husband and wife; very bad, I assure you.
_Dal._ [_Aside._] I can easily imagine of whom he spoke.
_Mad._ He is really insupportable.
_Dal._ You must treat him with respect.
_Mad._ Can he complain of me? I have failed in nothing; I respect his age, and his quality as your uncle. If I laugh at him sometimes when we are alone, you pardon it. Except this, I have for him all possible respect. But tell me sincerely, has he any for you or for me? He treats us with the greatest asperity; he hates us as much as he can, and now his contempt for me has become excessive: yet I must caress him and pay court to him.
_Dal._ [_Embarrassed._] But--when it is so easy to do so--he is our uncle. Besides, we may have need of him.
_Mad._ Need of him! we! how? Have we not means of our own to live in decency? You are not extravagant; I am reasonable. For myself, I desire no more than for you to provide for me as you have done. Let us continue to live with the same moderation, and we shall be independent of every one.
_Dal._ [_In a passionate manner._] Let us continue to live with the same moderation!
_Mad._ Yes, indeed; I have no vanity. I ask nothing more of you.
_Dal._ [_Aside._] How unhappy I am!