It is certainly grand; like all which has power. There is contained ambition, hope, dreams, honour, and dishonour; the perdition and the salvation of hundreds--of thousands--of creatures, perhaps: it has no power for me. If I had loved my husband, I should, probably, take this million to save him: that would be one of the thousand base acts that one is called upon to commit in the name of true love. But, decidedly, I love no one and nothing. (_Shutting the coffer violently._) Fight each other; kill each other; live or die, I am indifferent towards you both.
You have both insulted me--each in your own way, and, always, in the name of love! Ah! if you only knew how what you call love becomes more and more odious to me. But, to make me believe in love, show me the man who respects that which he loves! I love you; that is to say, you are beautiful, and your flesh tempts me. It is to that temptation that I owed the husband who outrages me; it is to that temptation that I owe the insult that you have inflicted on me. A prince was not able to resist what he, too, called his love for a pretty girl; and I owe my existence to that so-called love! I must suffer on account of that; and, perhaps, in my turn, sell myself always on account of that! And that father dared not love me openly; me, his daughter; himself, a king! But, at least, he sometimes pressed me to his heart in secret: he wept; for he, too, suffered! Holding my head between his hands, he said to me,--he is the only one who ever said it to me,--"Be a virtuous woman always; it is the foundation of all good. Do you understand me?" And I believed him, and wished to be a virtuous woman, as he asked me to be; and it leads me to what? To be treated like one of the worst of creatures by him to whom I have remained faithful. And there is that man who insults me by his offer! His father made many millions by his bank; and he, the son, would like to buy me with them while I am yet young, be it understood. Why not? But, dear Sir, I am born of desire and corruption: they gave me no heart. With what, then, do you expect me to love you? I had no esteem for my mother: you do not know what it is not to esteem one"s mother! My husband is an inexperienced, an idle, an unsophisticated man, who ought to have guided me; who did not know how; and whom I will never see any more. That is what I have come to. As to my son, I needed help, I took him in my arms yesterday, and he said to me, "I like better to go and play." Ah, well! let him get on without maternal dishonour. It will be a novelty in the family, and that will be my last luxury. It matters not. Amongst all this impurity and all these errors, there came on the scene, all of a sudden, one of the first gentlemen in the world; and his coming changed everything. I have royal blood in my veins. I shall never belong to you. Adieu! (_She goes towards the door at the back. Two violent and quick rings are heard at the bell of the entrance._) What can that be?
NOURVADY.
A visitor who has made a mistake (_ringing_). Wait a moment! (_The Footman appears._) Who is that?
THE FOOTMAN.
There are several men ringing at the door, but we have not opened it.
(_During this time_ LIONNETTE _has covered herself with her veils_.)
NOURVADY.
Very well! Do not open it.
(_Two blows of a hammer are given on the hall door; after a little while, two more._)
A VOICE (_from outside_).
For the third time, open.
LIONNETTE (_who has gone to look through the curtains of the window_).
My husband! With these men. Ah! this is complete.
NOURVADY.
Conceal yourself here. (_He shoves the door at the right._)
LIONNETTE (_beyond herself with pa.s.sion_).
I conceal myself! What do you mean? Who do you take me for? I have done no harm. All those people there are mad, decidedly. I want to see them quite close. (NOURVADY _goes to lock the door at the back_. LIONNETTE _has pulled off her veils, torn the fichu that was on her shoulders, and unrolled her hair by shaking her head_.) It was when I was like this that my husband thought me most beautiful! It is well, at least, that he should see me once more as he used to like to see me. Am I really beautiful like this?
NOURVADY.
Ah! yes; beautiful indeed.
LIONNETTE.
And you love me?
NOURVADY.
Very deeply.
LIONNETTE.
And all your life will be devoted to me?
NOURVADY.
All my life.
LIONNETTE.
You swear it to me?
NOURVADY.
On my word of honour.
(_He approaches her quickly. At that moment she stretches out her uncovered arms, and crosses them on her face; that she turns away._ NOURVADY _covers her arms with kisses_.)
A VOICE (_outside the door that_ NOURVADY _has shut_).
Open!
NOURVADY.
Who are you?
THE VOICE.
In the name of the law.
NOURVADY.
I am in my own house. I refuse.
JOHN (_from outside_).
Break open that door.
LIONNETTE.
The coward!
THE VOICE.
It is I who give orders here, and I only. For the last time, will you open the door?
NOURVADY.
No!
THE VOICE.