The Village Coquette, Charles Dufresny [books to read to be successful txt] 📗

coquette delivers perfidy with both hands, and if she needs it will find another hand for a third.

Argon You've said it twenty times. But for the hundredth time, you still must prove it.

Widow Speak low. I see the Baron and Lucas. Keep aside and you will perhaps be able to see that not only Lucas prefers his master to you, but also Lisette.

Argon Let's see. I would be undeceived.

(Argon goes to the side. Enter Girard.)

Widow Well?

Girard Lucas is occupied with his Grand Prize.

Widow But, does the Baron intend to marry--

Girard Patience. I am given all the rents in advance. For it is I, who have managed all. Lucas is metamorphosized into a great lord. Since he has seen the lottery, his sudden riches trouble his head, and have changed his type. He has nothing human remaining except his form and his pride. Grave, deciding with a wink of his eye, disdaining to speak or speaking by sentence. He believes people applaud his silence. Saluting with his big head, puffed up, swollen, Lucas has become subtly inflated with a contagious disease. He can be seen thrusting his paunch two steps ahead of himself.

Widow In that case, Girard, we must-- But Lisette is running this way. Mr. Argon is following her. Things aren't turning out right.

Girard No.

Widow I am going to join Argon right away. Amuse these two here.

Girard All that one plans, does not succeed.

(Exit Widow. Lucas is walking in grandly. The Baron, hat in hand, follows Lucas, who puts his hat back on first.)

Baron Yes, I beam with pleasure that fortune has fulfilled your wish.

Lucas Although my fortune may be much higher than yours, I would be father and companion to you, always. (slaps him on the shoulder) For I am not proud.

Baron Indeed, I see that, Lucas.

Girard You see that the gentleman doesn't underrate himself. He deserves to fill a great office.

Lucas Haven't you retained a fine place for me at the Post? For that's why I am going to Paris.

Girard I already told you, they're looking for a carriage softer than a bed for you.

Lucas But, what's keeping the carriage. I don't want to have to wait.

Girard The horses will soon be here at your orders. Wait for them here. Hola, lackey, hola, some chairs.

(Lackeys enter with chairs. Lucas exchanges greetings with the Baron and seats himself first.)

Lucas Let's not have any manners while I'm here.

Baron Let's talk about our business.

Lucas (not replying) I've got a great idea just now.

Baron We were discussing--

Lucas In seeing me, all Paris is going to feast me. The one who won the Grand Prize.

Baron Before you leave--

Lucas All the world will be beggars except me, because my wealth will divert me. While I am in the grain, I am going to see people cry famine. What a pleasure!

Baron Then, Lucas, do you intend to reach a conclusion for my ardent love?

Lucas They're going to propose to me some pretty expenses, pretty horses, and pretty families to marry into. This business will increase wealth. I'll buy whatever's for sale.

Girard But, to ennoble you, you would have a gentleman for a son-in-law.

Baron Lisette is waiting for us.

Lucas I'll have all this, indeed, for when one is very rich, one attracts all that for nothing.

Baron You promised me--

Lucas (with an important air) Huh!

Baron To finish--

Lucas What?

Baron Our business.

Lucas What business?

Baron Ours, I have had the notary there, to write the contract. He's waiting only for you. We are agreed between us.

Lucas Ah, I believe that I remember something of it. Damn, when one has so much business, one thinks only of the best. Yes, we spoke of marriage, but it cannot be. There's only, but a bit--

Girard What do I hear? What, then, you already intend to disown it?

Baron Remember, Lucas, that I was your master.

Girard Lucas, remember that there's great honor, a handsome alliance to have a lord for a son-in-law.

Lucas Oh, it's money which makes the best marriages.

Baron What, you no longer intend?

Lucas I want no part of your lineage.

Baron What?

Lucas But, it's necessary to listen to me. I am a native of this hamlet. That means, that from friendship, I love your earth, your chateau. Yet, it's not mine if you become my son-in-law. My opinion is it would be better if you sold it to me.

Baron You're joking, I believe. Sell you my chateau?

Lucas It is all dilapidated, but I will make a lot of improvements.

Baron He's gone crazy.

Girard (low) This rascal scorns you.

Lucas The land will ennoble me. That's what I want of you. While at Paris I increase my money, you keep the land fallow.

Girard You will be his farmer.

Baron (rising) This is too much insolence.

Girard (to Baron) Sir, calm down. I promise you revenge.

Lucas (aside, also rising) This little gentleman, he heard all that. He owes money everywhere, but he believes he is to be respected. But, I will have his chateau. He'd better leave. He has some creditors. I will have it through the law.

Girard (after having spoken low to the Baron) We have done all, sir, for your good. But to revenge yourself, better say nothing.

(Enter Lisette.)

Lisette I have been looking for you everywhere. Ouf! I'm out of breath. To find you, father, took a lot of trouble. I have run--for they say--but I don't believe it--I heard it everywhere--the Grand Prize. These are the compliments that greet me everywhere. They say a hundred thousand francs. Is it true, father?

Lucas True.

Lisette (impressed) A hundred thousand francs!

(Enter Argon and the Widow.)

Argon (who runs after her) Well, are you fleeing from me? Speak! Since you've heard about the lottery, and you know the news, you scorn me.

Lisette Yes.

Argon This is a handsome fortune. But, it ought not to attract your scorn to me. Answer me, at least. Will you marry me?

Lisette I obey my father. He has told me that he wishes to defer this business. (low to Lucas and making a sign with her eyes to him) Tell him that it's you who refuse.

Lucas Good, good.

Lisette That costs nothing. Get me off.

Lucas No.

Lisette (signaling with her eyes) Tell them something that will end my engagement, at least.

Lucas Eh! You trouble yourself too much about them. Leave off your winking. Not necessary for any polish. You have what you need to marry.

Widow Her father covets her, the opulent fool. Foolishness that he doesn't try to excuse.

Argon By her own fault, she herself disabused me. As for me, so as not to risk another love trick, I'm engaging myself to you.

Widow Friendship without love. That's what we agree makes a good marriage. Love is restless and bores itself in a household.

Baron You would have had our wealth. You will be confounded.

Lucas Let them say--then you will have three times more, four times more.

Lisette Let's go quickly to Paris to be in abundance.

Lucas Between the land and our money--there's the difference. Their land and their chateau. It's nothing but a little plot. It will never increase, no, not even an abortion. But my money is in a great adventure. It will swell at first, and then like a river, it will increase.

Lisette Increase.

Lucas Increase--it will increase.

Lisette Ah, how I will have lovers who will respect me. What happiness! I will see brilliant fortunes. What a following I am going to have. Lackeys, servants.

Girard And valets de chambre--for page--Girard.

Lucas Let them bring on my horses.

Widow They will harness you a carriage.

Girard Go on foot, from fear that your carriage will break down. This is going to reform the pomp of your train. (giving the list to Lisette) This is the true list.

Widow Yes, the reversal is very afflicting. But you've shone already for your money. A hundred thousand francs for you in the air.

Baron One hundred thousand francs to laugh at.

Lisette What are they talking about? What?

Lucas (looking for the place where the prize was shown in his other list) Eh! Go on, go on, let them talk. Here, here. It's here. For Lucas, the Grand Prize.

Baron You will not buy my chateau, master fool.

Lucas (troubled) It was there.

Girard The zeroes are left.

Lisette Oh! Father, they are mocking you.

Argon Yes, here's the mystery.

Widow You have nothing.

Girard But nothing--gets nothing. I made the false list, and I found wealth. I've gotten all of Lucas' rents. My love for you makes heroic sacrifices. I give them all to you, Lisette.

Argon Let's go to supper at my place.

Baron Yes, let's go.

Girard Yes, I have pity for the trouble in which I see you. These gentlemen, without their ranks. My offer ought to please you. They have made their fortune, and I have my fortune to make. But, I am, in a day, by myself, more amorous than the two of them can be in a month. They have not been able to acquire a young girl. But nobility acquires more than riches.

Lisette (to widow) How much I owe you, Madame! It's you who turned my spirit upside down, in telling me that one must be a coquette.

Widow I am well punished for my bad advice. I agree, I was wrong.

Lisette (to Girard) I listened to her. You must have a Baron, she always said. No, I would never have thought of anyone but you, except for her. If I had followed my natural inclination, from tenderness I would have chosen you.

Girard Eh! Choose me then! Lucas will consent.

Lucas (in going) Ouf!

Girard Speak

Lucas Ouf!

Girard Two times ouf, in mute language, is worth one yes.

Widow That's the fate of a coquette. After high prospects, one sees her, sooner or later, confused, confounded, and reduced to a Girard.

CURTAIN