The Stepmother, A Drama in Five Acts Part 31

Gertrude I hear the strains of church music! What, is there another trial going on here? What can be happening? (She goes to the door of Pauline's chamber and starts back terrified, on the appearance of Marguerite.) Ah!

Marguerite They are offering prayers over the body of your victim!

Gertrude Pauline! Pauline! Dead!

The Magistrate And it is you, madame, who have poisoned her.

Gertrude I! I! I! Ah! what is this? Am I asleep or awake? (To Ramel) Ah! How extremely fortunate for me in this meeting! For you know the whole affair, don't you? Do you believe me capable of a crime like this?

What! Am I actually accused of it? Do you think that I would have made an attack upon her life? I, the mother of a child, before whom I would not wish to be disgraced? Justice will vindicate me--Marguerite, let no one leave the room. Gentlemen, tell me what has taken place since yesterday evening, when I left Pauline slightly indisposed?

The Magistrate Madame, collect yourself! You stand before the tribunal of your country.

Gertrude You chill me with such words--

The Magistrate The administration of justice in France is the most perfect of criminal procedures. No traps are set, for justice proceeds, acts, and speaks with open face, for she is solely intent upon her mission, which is, the discovery of the truth. At the present moment, you are merely inculpated, and in me you must see your protector. But tell the truth, whatever it may be; the final result will be decided at a higher tribunal.

Gertrude Ah! sir, take me into her chamber, and in presence of Pauline I will cry out, what I cry out before you--I am guiltless of her death!

The Magistrate Madame!

Gertrude Sir, let us have none of those long phrases, with which you blind the eyes of people. I suffer pains unheard of! I weep for Pauline as though she were my child, and--I forgive her everything! What do you want with me? Proceed, and I will answer you.

Ramel What is it that you will forgive her?

Gertrude I mean--

Ramel (in a low voice) Be cautious in your replies.

Gertrude You are right, for precipices yawn on every side!

The Magistrate (to the sheriff's officer) Names and t.i.tles may be taken later; now write down the notes of the investigation, and the inquiry. (To Gertrude) Did you yesterday forenoon put opium into the tea of Mlle. de Grandchamp?

Gertrude Ah! doctor--this is you.

Ramel Do not accuse the doctor. He has already too seriously compromised himself for you! Answer the magistrate!

Gertrude It is true.

The Magistrate Madame recognizes the cup and admits that she put opium in it. That will be enough for the present, at this stage of the inquiry.

Gertrude Do you accuse me then of something further? What is it?

The Magistrate Madame, if you cannot free yourself from blame with regard to a later event, you may be charged with the crime of poisoning. We must now proceed to seek proofs either of your innocence or of your guilt.

Gertrude Where will you seek them?

The Magistrate From you! Yesterday you gave Mlle. de Grandchamp an infusion of orange leaves, in another cup which contained a.r.s.enic.

Gertrude Can it be possible!

The Magistrate The day before yesterday you declared that the key of your desk, in which the a.r.s.enic was locked, never left your possession.

Gertrude It is in my dress pocket.

The Magistrate Have you ever made any use of that a.r.s.enic?

Gertrude No; you will find the parcel still sealed.

Ramel Ah! madame, I sincerely hope so.

The Magistrate I very much doubt it; this is one of those audacious criminals--

Gertrude The chamber is in disorder, permit me--

The Magistrate No, no! All three of us will enter it.

Ramel Your innocence is now at stake.

Gertrude Gentlemen, let us go in together.

SCENE EIGHTH

Vernon (alone) My poor General! He kneels by the bed of his daughter; he weeps, he prays! Alas! G.o.d alone can give her back to him.

SCENE NINTH

Vernon, Gertrude, Ramel, the Magistrate and the Sheriff's Officer.

Gertrude I scarce can believe my senses; I am dreaming--I am--

Ramel You are ruined, madame.

Gertrude Yes, sir--But by whom?

The Magistrate (to the sheriff's officer) Write down that Madame de Grandchamp having herself unlocked for us the desk in her bedchamber and having herself given into our hands the parcel sealed by M. Baudrillon, this parcel which two days ago was intact is found unsealed and from it has been taken a dose, more than sufficient to produce death.

Gertrude Death!--And I?

The Magistrate Madame, it was not without reason that I took from your desk this torn piece of paper. We have also picked up in Mlle. de Grandchamp's chamber a piece of paper, which exactly fits to it; and this proves that when you reached your desk, in that confusion which crime always brings upon criminals, you took up this paper to wrap up the dose, which you intended to mix with the infusion.

Gertrude You said that you were my protector! And there, see now--