The Stepmother, A Drama in Five Acts Part 21

SCENE ELEVENTH

Gertrude, Vernon, Pauline, and later Marguerite.

Gertrude Doctor, would you like another cup of tea?

Vernon Thank you, but I am so deep in the election returns that I have not yet finished my first cup.

Gertrude (pointing to Pauline) Poor child, you see she is sleeping?

Vernon How is this? She is sleeping?

Gertrude It is no wonder. Imagine, doctor, she did not go to sleep until three o'clock in this morning. We were greatly disturbed last night.

Vernon Let me a.s.sist you to carry her to her room.

Gertrude It is not necessary. Marguerite, help me put this poor child to bed.

She will be more comfortable there.

(Marguerite comes forward and a.s.sists Gertrude to carry Pauline away.)

SCENE TWELFTH

Vernon, Felix (who enters at this juncture) and Marguerite later.

Vernon Felix!

Felix Is there anything I can do for you, sir?

Vernon Is there a closet anywhere here in which I can lock up something?

Felix (pointing to the closet) Here is a place, sir.

Vernon Good! Felix, don't say a word of this to a single soul. (Aside) He will be sure to remember it. (Aloud) I am playing a trick on the General, and the trick will fail if you say anything.

Felix I will be as dumb as a fish.

(The doctor takes from him the key of the closet.)

Vernon And now leave me alone with your mistress, who is coming back here, and be on the watch that no one interrupts us for a moment.

Felix (going out) Marguerite was right; there is something in the wind, that's certain.

Marguerite (returning) There is nothing the matter. Mademoiselle is sleeping quietly.

(Exit Marguerite.)

SCENE THIRTEENTH

Vernon (alone) What can have set by the ears two women who have hitherto lived in peace? All doctors, little though they be philosophers, can tell. The poor General, who all his life has had no other idea excepting that of escaping the common lot! Yet I see no one here likely to cause him jealousy, but myself and Ferdinand. It is not probable that I am the man; but Ferdinand--Yet I have so far noticed nothing--I hear her coming! Now for the tug-of-war!

SCENE FOURTEENTH

Vernon and Gertrude.

Gertrude (aside) I have them!--I am going to burn them in my chamber. (She meets Vernon.) Ah!

Vernon Madame, I have sent everybody away.

Gertrude May I ask you why?

Vernon In order that we may have our explanation without witnesses.

Gertrude Explanation! By what right do you--you, the parasite of the house, pretend to have an explanation with the Comtesse de Grandchamp?

Vernon I, a parasite? Madame! I have an income of ten thousand francs, besides my pension; I have the rank of general, and my fortune will be bequeathed to the children of my old friend! A parasite indeed! You forget that I am not only here as a friend but as a doctor, and--you poured certain drops of laudanum into Pauline's tea.

Gertrude I?

Vernon I saw you do it, and I have the cup.

Gertrude You have the cup? Why, I washed it myself!

Vernon Yes, you washed mine, which I gave you in exchange for that of Pauline! I was not reading the newspaper, I was watching you.

Gertrude Oh! sir, how unworthy of you!

Vernon You must confess that what I did then is of great service to you, for if you had by the effect of that draught brought Pauline to the brink of the grave, you would have been very glad of my services.

Gertrude The brink of the grave--why, doctor, I put in only a very few drops.

Vernon You admit, then, that you put opium in her tea?

Gertrude Doctor--this is outrageous!