The Melting-Pot - LightNovelsOnl.com
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VERA I was in the dock.
BARON It was horrible. I hated you for the devil of rebellion that had entered into your soul. But I thanked G.o.d when you escaped.
VERA [_Softened_]
I think I was more sorry for you than for myself. I hope, at least, no suspicion fell on you.
BARONESS [_Eagerly_]
But it did--an avalanche of suspicion. He is still buried under it. Vy else did they make Skovaloff Amba.s.sador instead of him? Even now he risks everyting to see you again. Ah, _mon enfant_, you owe your fazer a grand reparation!
VERA What reparation can I possibly make?
BARON [_Pa.s.sionately_]
You can love me again, Vera.
BARONESS [_Stamping foot_]
Alexis, you are interrupting----
VERA I fear, father, we have grown too estranged--our ideas are so opposite----
BARON But not now, Vera, surely not now? You are no longer [_He lowers his voice and looks around_]
a Revolutionist?
VERA Not with bombs, perhaps. I thank Heaven I was caught before I had done any _practical_ work. But if you think I accept the order of things, you are mistaken. In Russia I fought against the autocracy----
BARON Hus.h.!.+ Hus.h.!.+
[_He looks round nervously._]
VERA Here I fight against the poverty. No, father, a woman who has once heard the call will always be a wild creature.
BARON But [_Lowering his voice_]
those revolutionary Russian clubs here--you are not a member?
VERA I do not believe in Revolutions carried on at a safe distance. I have found my life-work in America.
BARON I am enchanted, Vera, enchanted.
BARONESS [_Gus.h.i.+ngly_]
Permit me to kiss you, _belle enfant_.
VERA I do not know you enough yet; I will kiss my father.
BARON [_With a great cry of joy_]
Vera!
[_He embraces her pa.s.sionately._]
At last! At last! I have found my little Vera again!
VERA No, father, _your_ Vera belongs to Russia with her mother and the happy days of childhood. But for their sakes---- [_She breaks down in emotion._]
BARON Ah, your poor mother!
BARONESS [_Tartly_]
Alexis, I perceive I am too many!
[_She begins to go toward the door._]
BARON No, no, Katusha. Vera will learn to love you, too.
VERA [_To BARONESS_]
What does my loving you matter? I can never return to Russia.
BARONESS [_Pausing_]
But ve can come here--often--ven you are married.
VERA [_Surprised_]
When I am married?
[_Softly, blus.h.i.+ng_]
You know?
BARONESS [_Smiling_]
Ve know zat charming young man adores ze floor your foot treads on!
VERA [_Blus.h.i.+ng_]
You have seen David?
BARON [_Hoa.r.s.ely_]
David!
[_He clenches his fist._]
BARONESS [_Half aside, as much gestured as spoken_]
s.h.!.+ Leave it to me.
[_Sweetly._]
Oh, no, ve have not seen David.
VERA [_Looking from one to the other_]
Not seen--? Then what--whom are you talking about?
BARONESS About zat handsome, quite adorahble Mr. Davenport.
VERA Davenport!
BARONESS Who combines ze manners of Europe viz ze millions of America!
VERA [_Breaks into girlish laughter_]
Ha! Ha! Ha! So Mr. Davenport has been talking to you! But you all seem to forget one small point--bigamy is not permitted even to millionaires.
BARONESS Ah, not boz at vonce, but----
VERA And do you think I would take another woman's leavings? No, not even if she were dead.
BARONESS You are insulting!
