The Stepmother, A Drama in Five Acts Part 8

Ramel We shall soon learn the truth in this case! Let M. Baudrillon and the accused approach.

The Magistrate Come forward, M. Baudrillon; (to Champagne) and you also.

Ramel M. Baudrillon, do you identify this man as the person who bought a.r.s.enic from you two days ago?

Baudrillon Yes, that is the very man.

Champagne Didn't I tell you, M. Baudrillon, that it was for the mice that were eating up everything, even in the house, and that I wanted it for Madame?

The Magistrate Do you hear him, madame? This is his plea; he pretends that you yourself sent him to get this stuff, and that he handed the package to you just as he took it from M. Baudrillon.

Gertrude It is true, sir.

Ramel Did you make any use of the a.r.s.enic, madame?

Gertrude No, sir.

The Magistrate You can then show us the package sent by M. Baudrillon; it should have his label, and if he acknowledges that it is entire and unbroken, the serious charges made against your foreman will in part be disproved.

We shall then have nothing more to do than to receive the report of the physician who held the autopsy.

Gertrude The package, sir, has never been taken from the desk in my bedroom.

(Exit.)

Champagne Ah! General, I am saved.

The General Poor old Champagne!

Ramel General, we shall be very happy if we have to announce the innocence of your foreman; unlike you soldiers, we are always delighted to be beaten.

Gertrude (returning) Here it is, gentlemen.

(The Magistrate, Baudrillon and Ramel examine the package.)

Baudrillon (putting on his gla.s.ses) It is intact, gentlemen, perfectly intact. Here is my seal on it unbroken.

The Magistrate Lock that up carefully, madame, for the a.s.sizes for sometime have had to deal with nothing but poisoning cases.

Gertrude You see, sir, I have kept it in my desk, in which none but the General and myself have access.

(Gertrude returns to her bedroom.)

Ramel General, we will not wait for the report of the autopsy. The princ.i.p.al charge, which you will agree with me was very serious, for all the town was talking of it, has been disproved; and we have full confidence in the skill and integrity of Doctor Vernon. (Gertrude returns) Champagne, you are at liberty. (General expression of satisfaction.) But you see, my friend, to what painful suspicions a man exposes himself when his home has a bad name.

Champagne Ask the General, your Honor, if I am not mild as a lamb; but my wife, G.o.d forgive her, was the worst that was ever made. An angel could not have stood her. If I have sometimes tried to bring her to reason, the anxious moments you have made me pa.s.s here, have been punishment enough! To be taken up for a prisoner, and to know yourself innocent, while you are in the hands of justice. (Weeps.)

The General Well! well! You are acquitted now!

Napoleon Papa, what is justice?

The General Gentlemen, justice ought not to commit errors of this kind.

Gertrude There seems to be always something fatal in this justice! And this poor man will always bear a bad name from your arrival here.

Ramel Madame, for the innocent there is nothing fatal in criminal justice.

You see that Champagne has been promptly discharged. (Fixing his eyes upon Gertrude.) Those who live without reproach, who indulge no pa.s.sions, save the n.o.ble and the lawful, have nothing to fear from justice.

Gertrude Sir, you do not know the people of this country. Ten years from this time they will say that Champagne poisoned his wife, that the officers of justice came to investigate and, but for our protection--

The General Say no more, Gertrude. These gentlemen have done only their duty.

(Felix prepares the coffee.) Gentlemen, can I offer you a cup of coffee?

The Magistrate Thank you, General; the urgency of this affair called me away from home rather suddenly, and my wife is waiting dinner for me at Louviers. (He goes on the veranda to talk with the doctor.)

The General (to Ramel) You are a friend of Ferdinand's, I believe?

Ramel Yes, General, and you have in him the n.o.blest heart, the most spotless integrity, the most charming character that I have ever met.

Pauline This state's attorney seems to be a very kind man!

G.o.dard (aside) And why does she say that? Is it because he praised M. Ferdinand? Ah!

there's something there!

Gertrude (to Ramel) Whenever you have any moments to spare, you must come to see M. de Charny. (To the General) Would not that be nice, dear?

The Magistrate (coming in from the veranda) M. de la Grandiere, our physician, agrees with Doctor Vernon that this death resulted from Asiatic cholera. We beg, therefore, that you, countess, and you, count, will excuse us for having disturbed, even for a moment, the tranquillity of your charming household.

Ramel (to Gertrude in the front of the stage) Take care! G.o.d never protects undertakings so rash as yours. I have discovered all. Give up Ferdinand, leave his life free, and be satisfied with the happiness of a wife. The path which you are following leads to crime.

Gertrude I'll die before I give him up!

Ramel (aside) I must get Ferdinand away from this place.

(Ramel beckons to Ferdinand, takes his arm, and goes out with him after exchange of formal bows.)

The General At last we are rid of them! (To Gertrude) Let the coffee be handed round.

Gertrude Pauline, kindly ring for the coffee.

(Pauline rings.)

SCENE FOURTH

The same persons, excepting Ferdinand, Ramel, the Magistrate and Baudrillon.

G.o.dard (aside) I shall find out presently whether Pauline loves Ferdinand. This urchin, who wants to know about justice, seems to me pretty cute; I'll make use of him.