Part 4 (1/2)

The General Come, Gertrude, say no more! Such words ought not to be spoken in public.

Vernon (aside) Such things are always said in this way, when it is necessary to make people believe them.

The General (to Vernon) What are you muttering about?

Vernon I was saying that I was sixty-seven years old, and that I was younger than you are, and that I should wish to be loved like that. (Aside) If only I could be sure that it was love.

The General (to the doctor) I see you are dubious! (to his wife) My dear child, there is no need for me to bless the power of G.o.d on your behalf, but I think He must have lent it me, in order that I might love you sufficiently.

Vernon You forget that I am a doctor, my dear friend. What you are saying to Madame is only good for the burden of a ballad.

Gertrude The burdens of some ballads, doctor, are exceedingly true.

The General Doctor, if you continue teasing my wife, we shall quarrel; to doubt on such a subject as that is an insult.

Vernon I have no doubt about it. (to the General) I would merely say, that you have loved so many women with the powers of G.o.d, that I am in an ecstasy as a doctor to see you still so good a Christian at seventy!

(Gertrude glides softly towards the sofa, where the doctor is seated.)

The General Pshaw! The last pa.s.sions, my friend, are always the strongest.

Vernon You are right. In youth, we love with all our strength which grows weaker with age, while in age we love with all our weakness which is ever on the increase.

The General Oh, vile philosophy!

Gertrude (to Vernon) Doctor, how is it that you, who are so good, try to infuse doubts into the heart of Grandchamp? You know that he is so jealous that he would kill a man on suspicion. I have such respect for his feelings that I have concluded upon seeing no one, but you, the mayor and the cure. Do you want me also to forego your society which is so pleasant, so agreeable to us? Ah! Here is Napoleon.

Vernon (aside) I take this for a declaration of war. She has sent away everyone else, she intends to dismiss me.

G.o.dard (to Vernon) Doctor, you are an intimate friend of the house, tell me, pray, what do you think of Mlle. Pauline?

(The doctor rises from his seat, looks at the speaker, blows his nose, and goes to the middle of the stage. The dinner bells sounds.)

SCENE SIXTH

The same persons, Napoleon and Felix.

Napoleon Papa, papa, didn't you say I could ride Coco?

The General Certainly.

Napoleon (to Felix) Do you hear that?

Gertrude (wiping her son's forehead) He is quite warm!