The Village Coquette; Or, The Supposed Lottery Part 8

Girard Since one is rich, one must get a little better clothes.

Lucas One hundred thousand francs!

Girard How much we'll drink at Lucas' place!

Lucas Let's go quickly to Paris.

Girard I will get you a carriage and horses.

Lucas Ah, I believe I'll die of luxury. Let's see the lottery quickly, so I can see myself first again.

Girard Are you going to remain a farmer?

Lucas (indignant) Me! A farmer.

Girard Forgive me for saying the word. I quite see the question is crazy.

Well, give me your rents. You won't want them. You'll be a great lord.

I am a poor devil, and your loyal friend. You will give them to me for this good news.

Lucas Yes. Get me a carriage and horses that go very fast, very fast.

Girard Yes, like birds. But, at first, in pa.s.sing, let's stop at the notary to give me the rents. All right, father?

Lucas Yes, I won't need it myself. I will leave you all the rents from my timberland. I am going straight to Paris to get some n.o.bility.

CURTAIN

ACT III

Argon is trying to avoid showing himself to the Widow, who grabs him by the arm.

Widow I will prove it all to you. Can you doubt it? But, stay one minute, at least to listen to me.

Argon Time presses. I have Lisette and the notary together. If Lucas appears I will finish the business. In love, moments are precious to an older person.

Widow If you marry, a quarter of an hour later, you will have time to be tired of Lisette and to repent a foolish act. Pardon the word, it's from friendship for you. My zeal is not mixed with any jealous transport. Better if you never marry me or the coquette. Be undeceived and I will be satisfied. Eh--can you remain blind. I will prove to both you and the Baron how she trapped you at once reconciling, by the same management, traitorous simplicity and nave lies. By the cleverest tricks and the most lively manners, she's figured out how to get love without giving any. She cold-bloodedly talks in the most tender way and pretends with effrontery to be timidly embarra.s.sed. Tears which go right to the heart and which bother her not at all. She abuses his weakness and yours. In offering you one hand, she gives him the other.

Thus a French coquette delivers perfidy with both hands, and if she needs it will find another hand for a third.

Argon You've said it twenty times. But for the hundredth time, you still must prove it.

Widow Speak low. I see the Baron and Lucas. Keep aside and you will perhaps be able to see that not only Lucas prefers his master to you, but also Lisette.

Argon Let's see. I would be undeceived.

(Argon goes to the side. Enter Girard.)

Widow Well?

Girard Lucas is occupied with his Grand Prize.

Widow But, does the Baron intend to marry--

Girard Patience. I am given all the rents in advance. For it is I, who have managed all. Lucas is metamorphosized into a great lord. Since he has seen the lottery, his sudden riches trouble his head, and have changed his type. He has nothing human remaining except his form and his pride. Grave, deciding with a wink of his eye, disdaining to speak or speaking by sentence. He believes people applaud his silence. Saluting with his big head, puffed up, swollen, Lucas has become subtly inflated with a contagious disease. He can be seen thrusting his paunch two steps ahead of himself.

Widow In that case, Girard, we must-- But Lisette is running this way. Mr.

Argon is following her. Things aren't turning out right.

Girard No.

Widow I am going to join Argon right away. Amuse these two here.

Girard All that one plans, does not succeed.

(Exit Widow. Lucas is walking in grandly. The Baron, hat in hand, follows Lucas, who puts his hat back on first.)

Baron Yes, I beam with pleasure that fortune has fulfilled your wish.

Lucas Although my fortune may be much higher than yours, I would be father and companion to you, always. (slaps him on the shoulder) For I am not proud.

Baron Indeed, I see that, Lucas.

Girard You see that the gentleman doesn't underrate himself. He deserves to fill a great office.

Lucas Haven't you retained a fine place for me at the Post? For that's why I am going to Paris.

Girard I already told you, they're looking for a carriage softer than a bed for you.

Lucas But, what's keeping the carriage. I don't want to have to wait.

Girard The horses will soon be here at your orders. Wait for them here. Hola, lackey, hola, some chairs.

(Lackeys enter with chairs. Lucas exchanges greetings with the Baron and seats himself first.)

Lucas Let's not have any manners while I'm here.

Baron Let's talk about our business.

Lucas (not replying) I've got a great idea just now.

Baron We were discussing--

Lucas In seeing me, all Paris is going to feast me. The one who won the Grand Prize.

Baron Before you leave--