The Stepmother, A Drama in Five Acts

Marguerite

I have always been in the habit of waiting upon Mlle. Pauline.

Gertrude

What do you mean by speaking to me in this tone?

Marguerite

But – madame —

The General

Marguerite, if you say another word, we shall fall out.

Pauline Marguerite, you may just as well let Madame de Grandchamp have her way.

(Gertrude goes out with Marguerite.)

The General And so my little girl has not much confidence in the father who loves her so? Come now! Tell me why you so distinctly refused Godard yesterday, and yet, accept him to-day?

Pauline

I suppose it is a young girl's whim.

The General

Are you in love with anybody else?

Pauline It is because I am not in love with anybody else that I consent to marry your friend M. Godard!

(Gertrude comes in with Marguerite.)

The General

Ah!

Gertrude

Take this, my darling, but be careful, for it is a little hot.

Pauline

Thank you, mother!

The General

Mother! Truly, this is enough to drive one crazy with perplexity!

Pauline

Marguerite, bring me the sugar basin!

(While Marguerite goes out and Gertrude talks with the General, Pauline drops the poison into the cup and lets fall the paper which contained it.)

Gertrude (to the General)

You seem to be indisposed?

The General

My dear, I cannot understand women; I am like Godard.

(Marguerite comes back.)

Gertrude

You are like all other men.

Pauline (hurriedly drinking the poisoned cup)

Ah!

Gertrude

How are you now, my child?

Pauline

I am better.

Gertrude

I am going to prepare another cup for you.

Pauline Oh, no, madame, this will be quite enough! I would sooner wait for the doctor.

(Pauline sets down the empty cup on the table.)

SCENE SIXTEENTH

The same persons and Felix, then Godard.

Felix (looking inquiringly at Pauline)

M. Godard asks if you will see him?

Pauline

Certainly.

Gertrude (leaving the room)

What do you intend saying to him.

Pauline

Wait and see.

Godard (entering) I am sorry that mademoiselle is indisposed. I did not know it. I will not intrude. (They offer him a chair.) Mademoiselle, allow me to thank you above all for the kindness you have shown in receiving me in this sanctuary of innocence. Madame de Grandchamp and your father have just informed me of something which would have overwhelmed me with happiness yesterday, but rather astonishes me to-day.

The General

That is to say, M. Godard —

Pauline Do not be hasty, father, M. Godard is right. You do not know all I said to him yesterday.

Godard You are far too clever, mademoiselle, not to consider as quite natural the curiosity of an honorable young man, who has an income of forty thousand francs, besides his savings, to learn of the reason why he should be accepted after a lapse of twenty-four hours from his rejection – For, yesterday, it was at this very hour – (He pulls out his watch) Half-past five —

The General What do you mean by all this? It looks as if you are not as much in love as you said you were. You have come here to complain of a charming girl at the very moment when she has told you —

Godard

I would not complain, if the subject were not marriage. Marriage,

General, is at once the cause and the effect of sentiment.

The General

Pardon me, Godard, I am a little hasty, as you know.

Pauline (to Godard) Sir – (Aside) Oh, how I suffer! (Aloud) Sir, why should poor young girls —

Godard Poor? No, no, mademoiselle; you are not poor. You have four hundred thousand francs.

Pauline

Why should weak young girls —

Godard

Weak?

Pauline Well, then, innocent young persons – be so very fastidious about the character of the man who presents himself as their lord and master? If you love me, will you punish yourself – will you punish me – because your love has been submitted to a test?

Godard

Of course, from that point of view —

The General

Oh! These women! These women!

Godard

You may just as well say, "These daughters."

The General

Yes, for I am quite sure that mine has more brains than I have.

SCENE SEVENTEENTH

The same persons, Gertrude and then Napoleon.

Gertrude

How has it turned out, M. Godard?

Godard

Ah, Madame! General! My happiness is complete, and my dream fulfilled.

For now I am to be admitted into a family like yours. To think that I

– Ah! Madame! General! (Aside) I'd like to find out the mystery, for she has precious little love for me.

Napoleon (entering)

Papa, I have won the school medal – Good-day, mamma – and where is

Pauline? And so you are sick? Poor little sister! I'll tell you something – I have found out where justice comes from.

Gertrude

And who told you? Ah! see what a lovely boy he is!

Napoleon

The master told me that justice comes from God.

Godard

It is very plain that your master was not born in Normandy.

Pauline (in a low voice to Marguerite)

O Marguerite! Dear Marguerite! Do send them all away.

Marguerite

Gentlemen, Mlle. Pauline desires to take a little nap.

The General Just so, Pauline, we will leave you, and you need not get up till dinner time.

Pauline

I will certainly get up then if I can. Father, kiss me before you go.

The General (kissing her)

My darling child! (To Napoleon) Come, my boy.

(They all go out, except Pauline, Marguerite and Napoleon.)

Napoleon (to Pauline)

And how is it you do not kiss me? Tell me what ails you?

Pauline

Oh! I am dying!

Napoleon

Do people die? Pauline, what is death made of?

Pauline

Death – is made – like this —

(Pauline falls back into Marguerite's arms.)

Marguerite

Oh! My God! Help! Help!

Napoleon

Oh! Pauline, you frighten me! (Running away.) Mamma! Mamma!

Curtain to the Fourth Act.

ACT V

SCENE FIRST

(The chamber of Pauline as before.)

Pauline, Ferdinand and Vernon.

(Pauline lies stretched upon her bed. Ferdinand holds her hand in an attitude of profound grief and despair. It is just before dawn and a lamp is burning.)

Vernon (seated near the table) I have seen thousands of dead men on the field of battle and in the ambulances, yet the death of this young girl under her father's roof moves me more profoundly than all those heroic sufferings. Death is perhaps a thing foreseen on the field of battle – it is even expected there; while here, it is not only the passing away of a single person, but a whole family is plunged in tears and fond hopes vanish. Here is this child, of whom I was so fond, murdered, poisoned – and by whom? Marguerite has rightly guessed the secret of this struggle between two rivals. It was impossible to refrain from communicating at once with the authorities. In the meantime, God knows I have used every effort to snatch this young life from the grave. (Ferdinand raises his head and listens to the doctor) I have even brought this poison, which may act as an antidote to the other; but the princes of medical science should have been present to witness the experiment! No man ought to venture upon such a throw of the dice.

Ferdinand (rises and approaches the doctor) Doctor, when the magistrates arrive, will you explain this experiment of yours; they will be sure to sanction it; and you may be sure that God, yes God, will hear me. He will work some miracle, He will give her back to me!

Vernon I should have ventured upon it before the action of the poison had wrought its full effects. If I did so now, I should be looked upon as the poisoner. No (he places a little flask upon the table), it would be useless now, and to give it with the most disinterested motives would be looked upon as a crime.

Ferdinand (after holding a mirror before Pauline's lips)

Anything, everything is yet possible; she still breathes.

Vernon

She will not live till daylight.

Pauline

Ferdinand!

Ferdinand

She has just uttered my name.

Vernon The vitality of a girl of twenty-two is very tenacious! Moreover, she will preserve consciousness, even to her last gasp. She might possibly rise from her bed and talk with us, although the sufferings caused by this terrible poison are inconceivable.

SCENE SECOND

The same persons and the General.

The General (outside)

Vernon!

Vernon (to Ferdinand) It is the General. (Ferdinand, overcome with grief, falls back on the armchair, where he is concealed by the curtains of the bed.) What do you want?

The General

I want to see Pauline!

Vernon

If you take my advice, you will wait awhile; she is very much worse.

The General (entering)

For that reason I shall come in.

Vernon

Do not come in, General. Listen to me!

The General

No, no! Ah, how motionless, how cold she is, Vernon!

Vernon Listen! General! (Aside) We must get him away somehow. (Aloud) There is but a faint hope of saving her.

The General

You told me – You must have been deceiving me!

Vernon My friend, we have to look this catastrophe in the face, as we had to look towards the batteries through a shower of bullets! On such occasions, when I hesitated, you always went forward. (Aside) That is a good idea! (Aloud) You had better bring to her the consolations of religion.

The General

Vernon, I wish to see her, to give her my last kiss.

Vernon

Be careful!

The General (kissing her)

Oh! How icy cold she is!

Vernon That is a peculiarity of her sickness, General. Hurry to the priest's house, for in case my remedies fail, it is not right that your daughter, who has been reared as a Christian, should be forgotten by the Church.

The General

Ah! yes. I will go.

(The General moves towards the bed.)

Vernon (pointing towards the door)

This way!

The General I quite lose my head; I am distracted – O Vernon, work a miracle for us! You have saved so many people – and here you cannot save the life of my child!

Vernon Come, come, be off. (Aside) I must go with him, for if he meets the magistrates there will be more trouble still.

(Exit the General and Vernon.)

SCENE THIRD

Pauline and Ferdinand.

Pauline

Ferdinand!

Ferdinand Ah! My God! Can this be her last sigh? Pauline, you are my very life; if Vernon does not save you, I will follow you, and we shall still be united.

Pauline

I shall expire, then, without a single regret.

Ferdinand (takes up the flask) That which would have saved you, if the doctor had arrived earlier, shall deliver me from life.

Pauline

No, for you may still be happy.

Ferdinand

Never, without you.

Pauline

Your words revive me.

SCENE FOURTH

The same persons and Vernon.

Ferdinand

She speaks; her eyes once more are open.

Vernon

Poor child! There she falls asleep again. What shall the waking be?

(Ferdinand sits down again and takes the hand of Pauline.)

SCENE FIFTH

The same persons, Ramel, the Investigating Magistrate, a Doctor, a

Corporal of Police and Marguerite.

Marguerite M. Vernon, the magistrates are here. M. Ferdinand, you must leave the room.

(Exit Ferdinand.)

Ramel Take care, corporal, that all the entrances of this house are guarded, and observe our orders! Doctor, can we remain here a few moments without danger to the sick lady?

Vernon

She is asleep, sir; and it is her last slumber.

Marguerite Here is the cup into which the infusion was poured and which still has traces of arsenic; I perceived it there as soon as I took hold of it.

The Doctor (examining the cup and tasting the contents)

It is evident that the liquid contains some poisonous substance.

The Magistrate Please to make an analysis of it. (He sees Marguerite picking up a small piece of paper from the ground.) What paper is that?

Marguerite

Oh, it is nothing.

Ramel In such cases as these, nothing is insignificant in the eyes of magistrates! Yes, gentlemen, we shall have to examine this paper later. What can have delayed M. de Grandchamp?

Vernon

He is at the priest's house, but he will not stay there long.

The Magistrate (to the doctor)

Have you made your examination yet, sir?

(The two physicians converse together at the head of the bed.)

Ramel (to the magistrate) If the General returns, we must deal with him according to the circumstances.

(Marguerite is weeping, kneeling at the foot of the bed; the two physicians, the judge and Ramel are grouped in the front of the stage.)

Ramel (to the doctor)

It is therefore of your opinion, sir, that the illness of Mlle. de

Grandchamp, whom we saw two days ago full of health, and even of happiness, is the result of a crime?

The Doctor

The symptoms of poisoning are undeniable.

Ramel And are the remains of the poison contained in this cup so discernible, and present in such a quantity, as to furnish legal proof?

The Doctor

Yes, sir.

The Magistrate (to Vernon) This woman alleges, sir, that yesterday, at four o'clock, you prescribed for Mlle. de Grandchamp an infusion of orange leaves, as a soothing draught for the nervous excitement which followed upon an interview between the stepmother and her stepdaughter; she says, moreover, that Madame de Grandchamp, who had despatched you on an empty errand to a place four leagues away, had insisted upon preparing and giving everything to her daughter herself; is this true?

Vernon

Yes, sir.

Marguerite When I persisted in my purpose of attending myself upon my young mistress, my poor master was incensed to the point of reproaching me.

Ramel (to Vernon)

Where did Madame de Grandchamp send you?

Vernon Everything is ominous in this mysterious affair. Madame de Grandchamp was so anxious to get me out of the way that she sent me three leagues to visit a sick man, who, I found when I reached his home, was drinking in the inn. I blamed Champagne for deceiving Madame de Grandchamp, and Champagne positively told me that the workman had not appeared at the factory, but that he himself knows nothing about his alleged sickness.

Felix

Gentlemen, the clergy are here.

Ramel

We can continue our proceedings in the drawing-room.

Vernon

This way, gentlemen, this way.

(Scene curtain.)

SCENE SIXTH

(The drawing-room.)

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

Ramel Here, then, is the result so far of our inquiry, in accordance with the evidence of Felix and Marguerite. Madame de Grandchamp, in the first place, administered to her stepdaughter a dose of opium, and you, M. Vernon, who were present and saw the criminal attempt, managed to secure and lock up the cup.

Vernon

It is true, gentlemen, but —

Ramel How is it, M. Vernon, that when you witnessed this criminal attempt, you did not check Madame de Grandchamp in the fatal course which she was then pursuing?

Vernon Believe me, gentlemen, I did everything which I thought could be done with prudence, and all that my long experience suggested was attempted by me.

The Magistrate Your conduct, sir, was peculiar, and you will be called upon to explain it. You did your duty yesterday in preserving the cup as evidence; but why did you not go further?

Ramel Pardon me, M. Cordier, this gentleman is advanced in years; he is an honest and trustworthy man. (He takes Vernon aside) You have found out, I suppose, the cause of this crime.

Vernon It springs from a rivalry between two women, who have been urged on to the most violent extremes by their reckless passions. And I was obliged to keep silence on the subject.

Ramel

I know the whole business.

Vernon

You! sir?

Ramel Yes, and, like you, I have done everything to prevent this catastrophe; for Ferdinand was to leave this very night. I knew Mlle. Gertrude de Meilhac in former years, having met her at the house of my friend.

Vernon Oh! sir, show clemency! Have pity on an old soldier, crippled with wounds, and enslaved by delusions. He is in danger of losing both his daughter and his wife. Heaven grant he may not lose his honor also!

Ramel We understand each other. So long as Gertrude does not make such admissions as force us to see the real situation, I shall endeavor to persuade the investigating magistrate – who is an extremely sagacious and honest man of ten years' experience – I shall try to make him believe that cupidity alone has influenced Madame de Grandchamp. You must assist me. (The magistrate approaches; Ramel nods to Vernon and puts on an expression of severity.) Why did Madame de Grandchamp wish to drug her stepdaughter? You, who are the friend of the household, ought to know this.

Vernon Pauline was about to confide her secrets to me. Her stepmother thought that I was learning certain things which her interest required should be concealed; and that, sir, is doubtless the reason why she sent me to treat a workman who was in good health, and not to prevent help from being brought to Pauline, for Louviers is not so far off.

The Magistrate What forethought she has! She won't be able to escape if we find the proofs of crime in her desk. She does not expect us here; she will be thunderstruck.

SCENE SEVENTH

The same persons, Gertrude and Marguerite.

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 titles 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 arsenic.

Gertrude

Can it be possible!

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

Gertrude

It is in my dress pocket.

The Magistrate

Have you ever made any use of that arsenic?

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! God 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 —

The Magistrate Give me your attention, madame. In face of such suspicions, I feel I shall have to change the writ of summons into a writ of bail or imprisonment. (He signs the document.) And now, madame, you must consider yourself under arrest.

Gertrude Of course, I will do all that you wish! But you told me that your mission was to search for the truth – Ah! Let us search for it here – Let us search for it here!

The Magistrate

Certainly, madame.

Gertrude (to Ramel; she is weeping)

O M. Ramel!

Ramel Have you anything to say in your defence which would lead us to cancel this terrible sentence?

Gertrude Gentlemen, I am innocent of the crime of poisoning, and yet all is against me! I implore you, give my your help instead of torturing me! And listen to me – Some one must have taken my key, – can you not understand? Some one must have come into my room – Ah! I see it all now – (To Ramel) Pauline loved as I loved; she has poisoned herself!

Ramel For the sake of your honor, do not say that, without the most convincing proofs, otherwise —

The Magistrate Madame, is it true that, yesterday, you, knowing Doctor Vernon was to dine with you, sent him —

Gertrude Oh! you, – your questions are so many daggers at my heart! And yet you go on, you still go on.

The Magistrate

Did you send him away to attend a workman at Pre-l'Eveque?

Gertrude