Part 18 (1/2)

The presence of my wife in this house is sufficient to prove the crime.

THE COMMISSARY.

No, sir.

JOHN.

In a case like this the intention is enough.

THE COMMISSARY.

We are not here to judge according to intentions, but to state according to facts.

JOHN (_picking up_ LIONNETTE'S _veils_).

What more do you require than this triple veil, which proves that my wife has come here concealing her face, as I saw, in short, for I followed her? A strange manner to enter her own house, since she maintains it to be her's. (_Pointing to_ LIONNETTE.) Look at this, sir; what more do you require?

THE COMMISSARY.

Be as calm as possible, sir; the law will do its duty, however painful it may be. (_He dictates._) Still, the att.i.tude and bearing of the Lady de Hun, at the moment of our entrance, was at least suspicious. Her hair was half falling on her shoulders.

NOURVADY (_to_ THE COMMISSARY).

Be good enough to note, sir, that at this point of your accusation I interrupted you, and that I affirmed most emphatically and on my word of honour the complete and perfect innocence of the Countess Lionnette de Hun, whose honour, whatever the appearances may be, should not be doubted for a moment.

LIONNETTE (_very calm at first, but gradually exciting herself to frenzy_).

And I, in the face of the scandal that my husband wished to create, and, though appreciating the motive of Mr. Nourvady's affirmation, which it is every honourable man's duty to make who wishes to save a woman's honour, I declare it false; and the facts that the law cannot prove I declare absolutely true. Mr. Nourvady was shut up here with me, by my wish, because he was, because he is, my lover.

JOHN (_running towards her_. THE COMMISSARY _puts himself between them_.)

Madam!

LIONNETTE.

Whatever may be the punishment of the adulteress, I merit it. (_To the Secretary, who hesitates._) Write, sir, I have not finished. Write.

(_She rises, and walks to the table where the Secretary is writing._) So that there may not, by any possibility, be any mistake in the scandalous trials that will follow this scene, and in order that my husband may not have to accuse himself of casting upon me an unjust and hasty suspicion, I declare that not only have I given myself to Mr. Nourvady because I loved him, but because he is rich and I am poor; that after having ruined my husband I sold myself, so incapable was I of bearing poverty.

The price of my fall is there: a million in gold struck expressly for me! My husband, there, was right yesterday, when he treated me like a prost.i.tute. I am one, and very happy to be so. And if what I have told you does not convince you; if proofs are necessary, there they are!

(_She steeps her bare arms in the gold, and throws handfuls of it all round her._ _To_ JOHN.) And you, sir, if you are in want of money, take some; after the baseness that you commit at this moment, there remains only this for you to do.

JOHN (_going towards her; she looks in his face_; JOHN _falls on a chair_.)

Madam!... Ah!

LIONNETTE (_to_ NOURVADY.)

And now do you believe that I am entirely yours?