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Page 8
Argon
But, if I give it to her, what will the two of us and our children
live on?
Lisette
I don't want it for myself, but you'll need it.
Argon (taking her hand)
There, let us separate. No, stay here.
Lisette
I am staying.
Argon
Go--and be in the nearby woods in an hour. (he kisses her hand) Go
quickly. Wait! The marriage is made.
Lisette (perceiving the Widow)
Ah! All is discovered.
Argon
I am an indiscreet fool!
(Exit Lisette.)
Widow
What have I heard? I am struck mute with shock!
Argon
And I! I am mute with shame. From frankness, I am going to admit to
you that what you have seen--I am wrong. The marriage I contracted
with you ought to prevent me from making another. But, as friendship
alone made ours, it would seem love is stronger. Still, I was wrong to
betray you thus. But, if you know how Lisette loves me, from
friendship for me, you yourself would say--marry her, sir, I freely
consent. What pleasure, at my age of fifty-four years, to be loved for
myself. Yes, only for my person. For she refused my wealth which I
would give, only wanting me. But, I am doubly wrong to betray you, to
anger you. From prudence, I ought never to speak of Lisette. Yes,
Madame, I am wrong, a hundred times wrong. But she will be my wife.
Widow
I cannot recover. This blow is overwhelming. I excuse Argon. At
bottom, he loves blindly. As for me, I really deserve for Lisette to
deceive me. But, for this marriage--it is necessary that I break it.
Were the good Argon never to marry me, let us try to disabuse him--
from friendship.
CURTAIN
ACT II
The Widow is overwhelmed with chagrin. Girard is holding in his hand a
packet of letters for the Baron. He separates one letter and
substitutes another.
Girard
Without breaking the seal, and without compromising myself, I half
open the Baron's letter and replace the false with the true. My hand
trembles for this is my first attempt in falseness.
Widow (dreaming, not listening)
Argon will marry Lisette?
Girard
He will never marry my charming coquette. This will see to him--as I
told you.
Widow
Very good! But, let me digest my spite. The one who married me,
marries my coquette. Was this what I raised Lisette for? With
impunity, Lisette has played me this trick, when I instructed her to
pretend love. I was the plaything of her apprenticeship. I thought
she would absorb no malice from the instruction I gave her. Just a
little grain of it for perfection. I ought to have realized from my
own example, that malice, once seeded in a woman's heart, profits,
multiplies and grows like weeds.
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