SCENE II.
G.o.dLER, NOURVADY, TReVELe.
TReVELe (_going towards_ LIONNETTE.)
Tell me, Countess, are we, yes or no, G.o.dler the ever youthful, Nourvady the ever grave, and I, Trevele, the ever jesting--are we, yes or no, invited by you, Countess, the ever beautiful, and by your husband, the ever blissful (it would be difficult for him to be otherwise)--are we, yes or no, invited to dine at your table and to spend the evening with you afterwards?
LIONNETTE.
Yes.
TReVELe.
Then, lovely countess, permit me to observe that you are never where we are. Kindly give us information. When one sees you one loves you; but when one loves you where does one see you?
LIONNETTE (_smiling_).
Here.
TReVELe.
We supposed so, but it is now two hours since....
LIONNETTE.
Oh! not two hours!
TReVELe.
Three hours ago you forsook us in the middle of the conservatory. First, a domestic came to look for the count; we accepted that affliction: but, in your turn, you disappeared without even troubling any one to come and look for you. Well, we are all three charming--G.o.dler, Nourvady, and I; it is difficult to find three more delightful and witty men, but we have such a habit of seeing each other that we do not enjoy ourselves at all when we are by ourselves. So if, after having us for seven hours, you discover you have had enough of us, tell us so without ceremony. We are going to drive back to the club, where we shall have a good game of baccarat; we will try, G.o.dler and I, to win a hundred thousand francs from that millionaire Nourvady;--that will make him cheerful, perhaps.
LIONNETTE.
Gentlemen, I offer you every excuse. It was on account of a most important and unforeseen affair. (_She presents_ RICHARD.) Master Richard, solicitor, an old friend of mine. (_She introduces the gentlemen._) Mr. de Trevele, Mr. G.o.dler, Mr. Nourvady. (_The gentlemen bow._) And now, to strengthen you after all your fatigue and trouble, I am going to offer you a cup of tea, iced coffee, or chocolate.
(_She approaches the table, upon which, during this discourse, the servants have put the articles mentioned._)
RAOUL (_entering with his nurse, who remains near the door, and going to his mother_).
Mamma!
LIONNETTE.
Gentlemen, here is my son, whom I beg to present to you. Bow, Raoul.
(RAOUL _bows already like a man of the world, putting his heels together and bending his head_; TReVELe _and_ G.o.dLER _kiss him_; NOURVADY _kisses his hand, after hesitating a moment_; RAOUL _goes back to his mother, who kisses him, putting her arm round his neck_.)
RAOUL.
Take care, you will crumple my collar.
LIONNETTE.
I beg your pardon, I wanted to kiss you. You don"t love me, then?
RAOUL.
Oh, yes, I love you very much.
LIONNETTE.
Then you are going to help me pour out the tea?
RAOUL.
No; I came to ask not to go to bed yet. I should prefer to play with Jane"s little nephew, who has come with his mother to see her, but she will not let me without your permission.
LIONNETTE.
Very well, I give you leave. Run away now, my child.
RAOUL.
Good bye. (_He goes away running._)
LIONNETTE.
And you go away like that? (RAOUL _bows again, and wants to go away_.
LIONNETTE _shows him_ RICHARD.) And Mr. Richard? And your father, too?
(_At each name mentioned_ RAOUL _pa.s.ses to the person, who kisses him.
One can see he is in a great hurry to run away. When he gets to_ JOHN, _the latter takes him in his arms and kisses him very warmly_.)
JOHN.
Don"t be afraid, I am not going to crumple your collar. (_He puts the child on the ground again, who tries afresh to escape._)
LIONNETTE (_who during this time is serving the tea_).
And me, Raoul.
(RAOUL _runs back again and kisses his mother_.)
LIONNETTE (_with a sigh_).
Go and play, my child, go; and amuse yourself well.