He Who Gets Slapped Part 37

POLLY

Let me be the Baron. Take my arm. Look out, a.s.s, you stepped on my beloved family tree!

ANGELICA

It'll soon be finished. Consuelo is galloping now. It is her waltz. What a success she is having!

[_All listen to the waltz._ TILLY _and_ POLLY _are singing it softly._]

ANGELICA

She is so beautiful! Are those her flowers?

[_They listen. Suddenly, a crash as if a broken wall were tumbling down: applause, shouting, screaming; much motion on the stage. The actors are pouring champagne. New ones come in, talking and laughing. When they notice the director and the champagne, they become quiet and modest._]

VOICES

They're coming! What a success! I should say, since all the orchestra seats.... And what will it be when they see the Tango? Don't be envious, Alphonse.

BRIQUET

Silence! Not so much noise, please! Zinida, look here, don't be so quiet! High society!

[_Enter_ CONSUELO, _on the arm of the_ BARON _who is stiff and erect.

She is happy._ MANCINI, _serious and happy. Behind them, riders, actors, actresses. The_ BARON _has in his b.u.t.ton-hole a fiery-red rose. All applaud and cry: "Bravo, bravo!"_]

CONSUELO

Friends ... my dears ... Father, I can't ... [_Throws herself into_ MANCINI'S _arms, and hides her face on his shoulders._ MANCINI _looks with a smile over her head at the_ BARON. BARON _smiles slightly, but remains earnest and motionless. A new burst of applause._]

BRIQUET

Enough, children! Enough!

MANCINI

Calm yourself, calm yourself, my child. How they all love you! [_Taking a step forward_] Ladies and gentlemen, Baron Regnard did me the honour yesterday, to ask for the hand of my daughter, the Countess Veronica, whom you knew under the name of Consuelo. Please take your gla.s.ses.

CONSUELO

No, I am still Consuelo, to-night, and I shall always be Consuelo!

Zinida, dear! [_Falls on the neck of_ ZINIDA. _Fresh applause._]

BRIQUET

Stop it! Silence! Take your gla.s.ses. What are you standing here for? If you came, then take the gla.s.ses.

TILLY

[_Trembling_]: They are frightened. You take yours first, Papa, and we will follow.

[_They take the gla.s.ses._ CONSUELO _is near the_ BARON, _holding the sleeve of his dress coat with her left hand. In her right hand, she has a gla.s.s of champagne, which spills over._]

BARON

You are spilling your wine, Consuelo.

CONSUELO

Ah! It is nothing! I am frightened, too. Are you, Father?

MANCINI

Silly child. [_An awkward silence._]

BRIQUET

[_With a step forward_]: Countess! As the director of the circus, who was happy enough ... to witness ... many times ... your successes....

CONSUELO

I do not _like_ this, Papa Briquet! I am Consuelo. What do you want to do with me? I shall cry. I don't want this "Countess." Give me a kiss, Briquet!

BRIQUET

Ah, Consuelo! Books have killed you.

[_Kisses her with tears. Laughter, applause. The clowns cluck like hens, bark, and express their emotions in many other ways. The motley crowd of clowns, which is ready for the pantomime, becomes more and more lively.

The_ BARON _is motionless, there is a wide s.p.a.ce around him; the people touch gla.s.ses with him in a hurry, and go off to one side. With_ CONSUELO _they clink willingly and cheerfully. She kisses the women._]

JACKSON

Silence! Consuelo, from to-day on, I extinguish my sun. Let the dark night come after you leave us. You were a nice comrade and worker, we all loved you and will love the traces of your little feet on the sand.

Nothing remains to us!

CONSUELO

You are so good, so good, Jim. So good that there is no one better. And your sun is better than all the other suns. I laughed so much at it.

Alfred, dear, why don't you come? I was looking for you.

BEZANO

My congratulations, Countess.

CONSUELO

Alfred, I am Consuelo!