One-Act Plays Part 13

ANNE [_cutting him off sharply_]. I do not know what you mean by all these names--and "formerlies"!

VALSIN. No? [_Persuasively._] Citizeness, pray a.s.sert that I did not encounter you last week on your journey from Paris--

ANNE [_hastily_]. It is true I have been to Paris on business; you may have seen me--I do not know. Is it a crime to return from Paris?

VALSIN [_in a tone of mock encouragement_]. It will amuse me to hear you declare that I did not see you traveling in company with Louis Valny-Cherault. Come! Say it.

ANNE [_stepping back defensively, closer to the inner door_]. I am alone, I tell you! I do not know what you mean. If you saw me speaking with people in the diligence, or at some posting-house, they were only traveling acquaintances. I did not know them. I am a widow--

VALSIN. My condolences. Poor, of course?

ANNE. Yes.

VALSIN. And lonely, of course? [_Apologetically._] Loneliness is in the formula: I suggest it for fear you might forget.

ANNE [_doggedly_]. I am alone.

VALSIN. Quite right.

ANNE [_confusedly_]. I am a widow, I tell you--a widow, living here quietly with--

VALSIN [_taking her up quickly_]. Ah--"with"! Living here alone, and also "with"--whom? Not your late husband?

ANNE [_desperately_]. With my niece.

VALSIN [_affecting great surprise_]. Ah! A niece! And the niece, I take it, is in your other room yonder?

ANNE [_huskily_]. Yes.

VALSIN [_taking a step forward_]. Is she pretty? [_ANNE places her back against the closed door, facing him grimly. He a.s.sumes a tone of indulgence._] Ah, one must not look: the niece, likewise, has not completed her toilet.

ANNE. She is--asleep.

VALSIN [_glancing toward the dismantled doorway_]. A sound napper! Why did you not say instead that she was--shaving? [_He advances, smiling._]

ANNE [_between her teeth_]. You shall not go in! You cannot see her!

She is--

VALSIN [_laughing_]. Allow me to prompt you. She is not only asleep; she is ill. She is starving. Also, I cannot go in because she is an orphan. Surely, she is an orphan? A lonely widow and her lonely orphan niece. Ah, touching--and sweet!

ANNE [_hotly_]. What authority have you to force your way into my apartment and insult--

VALSIN [_touching his scarf_]. I had the honor to mention the French Republic.

ANNE. So! Does the French Republic persecute widows and orphans?

VALSIN [_gravely_]. No. It is the making of them!

ANNE [_crying out_]. Ah, horrible!

VALSIN. I regret that its just severity was the cause of your own bereavement, Citizeness. When your unfortunate husband, Andre, formerly known as the Prince de Laseyne--

ANNE [_defiantly, though tears have sprung to her eyes_]. I tell you I do not know what you mean by these t.i.tles. My name is Balsage.

VALSIN. Bravo! The Widow Balsage, living here in calm obscurity with her niece. Widow Balsage, answer quickly, without stopping to think.

[_Sharply._] How long have you lived here?

ANNE. Two months. [_Faltering._]--A year!

VALSIN [_laughing_]. Good. Two months and a year! No visitors? No strangers?

ANNE. No.

VALSIN [_wheeling quickly and picking up LOUIS's cap from the dressing-table_]. This cap, then, belongs to your niece.

ANNE [_fl.u.s.tered, advancing toward him as if to take it_]. It was--it was left here this afternoon by our landlord.

VALSIN [_musingly_]. That is very, very puzzling. [_He leans against the dressing-table in a careless att.i.tude, his back to her._]

ANNE [_cavalierly_]. Why "puzzling"?

VALSIN. Because I sent him on an errand to Paris this morning. [_She flinches, but he does not turn to look at her, continuing in a tone of idle curiosity._] I suppose your own excursion to Paris was quite an event for you, Widow Balsage. You do not take many journeys?

ANNE. I am too poor.

VALSIN. And you have not been contemplating another departure from Boulogne?

ANNE. No.

VALSIN [_still in the same careless att.i.tude, his back toward her and the closed door_]. Good. It is as I thought: the portmanteau is for ornament.

ANNE [_choking_]. It belongs to my niece. She came only an hour ago.

She has not unpacked.

VALSIN. Naturally. Too ill.

ANNE. She had traveled all night; she was exhausted. She went to sleep at once.

VALSIN. Is she a somnambulist?

ANNE [_taken aback_]. Why?

VALSIN [_indifferently_]. She has just opened the door of her room in order to overhear our conversation. [_Waving his hand to the dressing-table mirror, in which he had been gazing._] Observe it, Citizeness Laseyne.

ANNE [_demoralized_]. I do not--I--[_Stamping her foot._] How often shall I tell you my name is Balsage!

VALSIN [_turning to her apologetically_]. My wretched memory. Perhaps I might remember better if I saw it written: I beg a glance at your papers. Doubtless you have your certificate of citizenship--

ANNE [_trembling_]. I have papers, certainly.