The Project Gutenberg eBook of The Village Coquette; Or, The Supposed Lottery, by Charles Rivière Dufresny

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THE VILLAGE COQUETTE OR THE SUPPOSED LOTTERY

RIVIERE DUFRESNY

                     Translated and Adapted by
                          Frank J. Morlock
                               C 1986

CHARACTERS:
The Baron
The Widow, his neighbor
Argon, another neighbor
Girard
Lucas, farmer
Lisette, the coquette

ACT I

Girard (holding two letters and reading them) From Paris. To Monsieur Le Baron of Hamlet. Let's take care of this letter for him. He's not at home. (putting the Baron's letter in his pocket, he opens the other letter) And the other's for me, Girard. I dare to hope that the list of winning lottery numbers is in this letter. Right, my cousin, the master printer in Paris, favors the role I've taken. Love is my guide in this roguery. With this false lottery list I am going to obtain Lucas' daughter as my wife.

Girard (reading the letter) From Paris. "My dear cousin, before having distributed the list of lottery winners, I've sent you a false list, as you asked me to do, so you can have a big joke in your village. You can make your rival believe that Farmer Lucas won the grand prize of one hundred thousand francs." With this, I hope to obtain my Lisette. Lucas, believing his fortune made, will cede me his lease on the farm. He's the type to be caught in such a snare. At bottom, it's for his own good. By making me his son-in-law, he can't lose. (to Widow) But, why are you standing around dreaming?

Girard What for? You're not excited by a tender love. It's an old lover, and you should wait without impatience, coldly.

Girard To believe an old man is an old grey beard is no big crime. I honor him more, being his collector. The collection is small and for you, with all my heart, I wish I could pay him a one hundred thousand francs of income.

Widow That would be too much for me, a former maid. That's what I was when I was in Paris. But here I have a higher rank which I obtained from my late husband, a head magistrate. Thus, I've been ennobled in this village, a fine nobility at bottom and which is worth a good bit, a nobility that one can take to Paris.

Girard Let's renew our discussion and talk of Lisette again. Because, having so much power over her, being her neighbor, and a sort of surrogate parent, you are working hard to turn her into a coquette, instead of making her wiser.

Girard Some perfection! Alas, you make her worse, when you come here to refine her wit. You make her heart more false and more vain.

Widow At nine years, she was already a coquette in embryo. I have only pointed her in her natural direction—so her beauty will not prove worthless and she will profit by a fine marriage. I only want Lisette to be wise. She's naturally exquisite, and I've simply added to her talents all that I have learned.

Widow So much the better, I tell you. That's what makes beauty and wit valued. We've argued about this so many times. By coquette I mean a girl who is very wise; who knows how to take advantage of other's foibles; who always exhibits sangfroid in the midst of dangers. One who profits from opportunity which she knows how to manage and uses her reason when we lose ours. A wise coquette is more knowing than anyone else because she is always exposed and always in a battle. One cannot deny that the strongest virtue is one that undergoes and survives the hardest tests. The coquette has prerogatives much more beautiful than a prude's. That beautiful right is the right of being happy. A prude, in her life, marries, but once or twice, but the clever coquette never marries at all. She flatters, she raises hopes, she promises, but she never gives in—thus through her wisdom leaving each one to his love and desires, she makes pleasure last.

Girard In my opinion Lisette is making my pain too harsh. It's useless to complain to her father, alas, complaining is no good. He scorns me.

Widow Yes, because you are leaving your condition in life. You are soliciting my relative and you are only a flat foot.

Girard Very flat-footed, right. But, without belittling myself. Do I owe Lucas respect? He owes me some, perhaps. But now each of us rests on his pedestal, and for a collector to be the son-in-law of a farmer, it's by right of the game.

Widow Good. It's an old game. Regretfully, I see your scheme is in ruins. Lisette repents of having considered you, and she says she no longer intends to have Girard. Now, the proud father and daughter find that your fortune is too recent. Everywhere you find ungrateful hearts, as in the village, even with regrets. But, during some times, gamble, pilfer, respect, trim, clip, loot and loot again. By force of conceit, you will come to listen.

Girard Today my love appears bold to you, you blame my scheme. Listen, what is the mystery? I have, for more than a month, prowled, spun around, run about. And in my absence, alas, what has happened? My eyes are opening at last. Lucas is coming. I leave you. Until we meet again.

Lucas Yes, for it hates me. I do this, I do that—labor all my life. Labor for this one, labor for that one. I work for thirty years. After thirty years, here I am. To labor for another, it's small palliative. To work for oneself, that takes courage. To even everything up wouldn't it be right for the others, in their turn, to work for me?

Lucas Suddenly, yes, to find myself there, as in a miracle. I've got the character for it—no matter how hazardous. I gamble, win some, lose some, it's only that it doesn't make one happy. I've played double or nothing out of boredom. I have forty tickets for this lottery.

Lucas Yeah. Because I love big lotteries. I am going to make my fortune that way.

Widow You will make your fortune through your daughter. The Baron loves her more and more.

Widow And, the Baron, who's only a village Baron, hasn't, as you know, much brains.

Lucas Not necessary to say he's a stupid, because all the world knows it well. But Lisette can hear us. Come on, daughter, come on. Madame and I were talking about how your wit satisfies her. She said you were so subtle, said you were so knowing.

Lisette It's to please the Baron, as you advised me. I am making myself over to be loved. I am obedient, and I intend, to please you, that he marry me quickly. So, that's why I added to my costume today.

Widow You'd have made him love you, that's already done. But to make him marry you, you must double dose him with sighs, looks and little manners. Put to work my recent lessons. We shall try to please at first by simple attractions. A little affectation, lowering your gaze, being quiet, appearing embarrassed. A cold blooded man, seeing a great deal of simpering, will believe less what he sees. He will suspect, examine, and discover the pretence. But, when the dupe is taken—be affected without fear. The grossest kinds of affectation, far from quelling, charm his passions, and he seeks out the beauty of nature.

Lucas I don't understand half your fine preaching. (dumbfounded) But what you say must be good, for you amaze.

Lisette Not so much as you think. You have taught me well, speaking to me of these looks which make women so refined. But I am not so refined. I cannot do as they do.

Lisette
You deceive yourself. I contradict myself in no respect. I please the
Baron without feigning to please him. If he is deceived, I can never
be. When I speak contrary to my thought, one can see in my manner that
I am embarrassed.

Widow The Baron could, by a tender turn about, mention again the contract he made the other day. He is changeable, peevish in his tenderness. Think to profit by his day of weakness. Has he promised again today?

Widow He must have thought it over. It's his day to be reasonable, his good day. But we will recapture him. To make him sign, it's only needful to make him wait. If something can hasten this happy day, it's pretence. Pretend a violent love.

Widow
Then, I am uneasy. I intend to marry as much as Lisette. Monsieur
Argon occupies me and I am going to see him. If he keeps his word, it
will be all over today. (exits)

Lucas You must pretend the widder lady says, and you don't know how to pretend a pretense. You say everything that comes into your head and that's a mistake. Have the virtue to lie a bit. You don't know how, and that upsets me.

Lisette Oh, console yourself, father. If I am still stupid, I am not really stupid. I know how to pretend better than the Widow thinks. I have some tricks she hasn't seen yet. If I always tell her I am innocent, and that, despite her lessons, I am ignorant, it's all on purpose so she will be proud of me.

Lucas Ha! Ha! I see well what you intend. So as not to lack one, you will have two.

Lisette Yes, at least, father. That's what I'm doing. But the other has less wealth, which annoys me. For Monsieur Baron—here's what I fear—his conversation does not entirely please me. I have spoken to him a lot in pretending to be innocent. No, for marriage he has no plans. He says he wants to stay single for ten more years.

Lucas To remain single—oh, oh. He wants to marry you, so you can remain a virgin?

Lisette To understand him, the loves of a nobleman for girls like me does us much honor

Lucas No, no, of these nobles, love without marriage takes honor from girls that nothing gives back.

Lisette One has much wealth, but he will deceive me. The other hasn't very much, but he will marry me.

Lisette
Kick him out? Ah, be careful. Let him be in love—that costs nothing.
If the others fail, he may make his fortune. Who knows?

Lucas Well said. So, there's to be three for one. But, who is the new one who you say is certain?

Lisette It is going to astonish you. For I will have the wealth intended for her. I will marry her lover.

Lucas (crying out)
My Lord! You will ruin her. She loves you as if you were her daughter.

Lisette Can I do otherwise? I said no, at first. I really would have preferred not to wrong her. But she has given me lessons in fortune hunting. I've got to take advantage of my youth like others. The other lesson she gave me recently was to love at first for one's profit. I love the Widow, but—

Lucas But, you are able to love what profits you? These lessons are her own fault, and she deserves it.

Lisette I'm in despair. At bottom, I have a good heart. I would prefer for her to marry the Baron.

Lucas
Yes, for he's more rich and you will gain by the change. In the case
of the three lovers, here's how it goes: The Baron's worth more than
Argon, he's got six times his money. Argon's better, worth more than
Girard, and Girard's better than nothing.

Lisette He's like nothing, yes, but with respect to the other two, we will keep your plans and mine secret.

Lucas Yes, better to be secret. For these two good spouses won't be married, if they know about each other.

Baron Lucas intends to leave me. This disturbs me. How can I bear not to see Lisette any more?

Lisette (after having spoken low)
Yell very loud, then leave without speaking to him.

Lucas (loud so that the Baron hears) Yes, I intend to leave our master, and I'm going to start going about it.

Lucas I have told him, and I am no traitor. I've told him of it a while ago, and I'm going.

Lucas As you are growing up, it's a cruelty to stay here. In a village, you lose your time and your beauty. You can merchandise your youth better in the Paris marriage market. Yes, I will take you to Paris, and very soon, because time presses. Although a vertigo irritates me momentarily, what I want is only reasonable, and I shall be as bold as brass. (pushing his hat onto his head and passing before the Baron) I am upset to leave him, but death, I shall console myself. (exits)

Baron
He was very abrupt with me on a frivolous subject. Has he gone crazy?
What can he intend to do?

Lisette (twisting her handkerchief)
I will never see you any more. I am in despair.

Lisette (looking tenderly at the Baron) Yes, to see me a great lady, and that is my misfortune. He imagines something that can't be. The daughter of a farmer is not for his master.

Lisette (starting to cry) No, that's not what one day you said; that day you were full of love for me. You intended, you said, to write a promise. You no longer love me!

Baron
That day was like today. My feelings were full for you. I love you,
Lisette.

Baron A marriage contract. It's already written. I did it right away, first thing. Second thing is to sign.

Lisette (crying again)
Don't swear to me. I believe you already. But my father—

Lisette (crying and holding him by the arm)
No, he's going to take me off. Of that I am sure.

Lisette (pretending to be outré with rage against him)
It's I who wish to leave, because you don't love me!

Lisette (suddenly stops crying) No—this is only a deceiver, who thinks me innocent. I must soon take my relative, the Widow's, lover. He has no wealth. That's my last resource. But, he's coming to the garden to speak to me. Let's continue. I played the naïve and tender. Now to play the dreamer.

Argon Yes, Lisette is going to return. (he turns to look closely at her) How pretty she is, dreaming. How many charms I see. She sighs. Good! I feel that she is for me. What are you dreaming of?

(Lisette, after having let Argon look her over, pretends to be astonished to see Argon so near her.)

Lisette Oh! You've startled me so! I was dreaming—that I have so much freedom—suddenly in the garden.

Argon That's what charmed me. You've already told me, not that I am loved, but that you will soon love me.

Lisette I am confused by what you are thinking. I ask pardon. To love you would be to lack respect for you.

Argon Add a word to your looks, your sighs. This word is a great word. Tell me—"I love you."

Argon Behold love. Behold pure sincerity. This calls me to love, like nature. There, Lisette, here's the role I have taken. I intend to take you, in secret, to Paris, for I will, at first, marry you secretly. Let's hide all from the Widow. She would be jealous of it. I will marry you without her knowing anything of it. In her place, in a word, you will have all my wealth.

Argon But, if I give it to her, what will the two of us and our children live on?

Argon Go—and be in the nearby woods in an hour. (he kisses her hand) Go quickly. Wait! The marriage is made.

Argon And I! I am mute with shame. From frankness, I am going to admit to you that what you have seen—I am wrong. The marriage I contracted with you ought to prevent me from making another. But, as friendship alone made ours, it would seem love is stronger. Still, I was wrong to betray you thus. But, if you know how Lisette loves me, from friendship for me, you yourself would say—marry her, sir, I freely consent. What pleasure, at my age of fifty-four years, to be loved for myself. Yes, only for my person. For she refused my wealth which I would give, only wanting me. But, I am doubly wrong to betray you, to anger you. From prudence, I ought never to speak of Lisette. Yes, Madame, I am wrong, a hundred times wrong. But she will be my wife.

Widow I cannot recover. This blow is overwhelming. I excuse Argon. At bottom, he loves blindly. As for me, I really deserve for Lisette to deceive me. But, for this marriage—it is necessary that I break it. Were the good Argon never to marry me, let us try to disabuse him— from friendship.

CURTAIN

ACT II

The Widow is overwhelmed with chagrin. Girard is holding in his hand a packet of letters for the Baron. He separates one letter and substitutes another.

Girard Without breaking the seal, and without compromising myself, I half open the Baron's letter and replace the false with the true. My hand trembles for this is my first attempt in falseness.

Girard He will never marry my charming coquette. This will see to him—as I told you.

Widow Very good! But, let me digest my spite. The one who married me, marries my coquette. Was this what I raised Lisette for? With impunity, Lisette has played me this trick, when I instructed her to pretend love. I was the plaything of her apprenticeship. I thought she would absorb no malice from the instruction I gave her. Just a little grain of it for perfection. I ought to have realized from my own example, that malice, once seeded in a woman's heart, profits, multiplies and grows like weeds.

Girard In malice, Lisette is fertile, yet I love her, I adore her, and I will make her my wife. But, what am I saying? I ought to remember, Madame— (ironically) that you don't give Lisettes to Girards. As I am only a tax collector, I ought through respect for you, her, and myself, to let her marry your lover.

Widow
At her age, to manage, under my eyes, three lovers at the same time!
Coquettes of Paris and coquettes of the country—some ready language,
some trickery. My word, all is equal for coquetry.

Girard You know all. We must lure our credulous, stupid, avaricious, and amorous Baron with this false lottery into offering Lisette marriage, and if she accepts, for Argon to see she's engaged.

Widow Lisette ought to give up Argon for the Baron. The Baron is rich and the trick is so good.

Girard I am returning from the post office and I have the honor to give the gentleman what he asked me to bring.

Baron (to Widow) Neighbor, my love is going to make me despair. Lisette intends to leave.

Widow I take the place of mother to her. I guarantee her tender, wise, and sincere. You don't know how much she is worth. She wants a contract, that's her only fault. And, you don't wish to make one.

Baron I intend to marry her. Who told you otherwise? But, to do such a thing, the later the better. I will marry when I am much older.

Baron I am very irresolute. I blame myself for it. Ha, ha, good, this letter is from one of my friends. It's for the lottery we've all subscribed to.

Widow
I am sure to win. A physiognomist has seen great sums of money on my
face. What I must do, he told me, to earn it, is to buy a lottery.
It's the most prompt way to win for a wise woman.

Baron Hum! Hum! I know, by heart, the puzzle of each. The numbers, the names, I don't see one. Let's read— Ah!

Widow To the farmer, the Grand Prize? But, let's see. Reread it. Is it, indeed, his name? Lucas?

Widow (pretending a quick thought, accompanied by joy)
But, let us rejoice and laugh.

Widow
You are angry that chance has just enriched Lisette's fortune.
Fortune, on the contrary, is favoring you. It has determined to make
you happy.

Widow
For the money, and without any love, these days, the most noble marry
Lisettes.

Baron Right, one hundred thousand francs would pay off my debts. This motive and love will excuse all.

Widow
Yes, but you must marry instantly, before this lottery becomes known.
This is delicacy. She will believe she owes your tenderness more.
Lucas will get the Grand Prize, but while he is unaware of it, the
fool must be taken, so that he gives all his wealth to Lisette.
Wealth, present and to come.

Widow
Your fortune is made, Lisette. It is I who am procuring it. Hug me,
Lisette.

Baron Your tears have softened me, Lisette. I surrender. Let's sign the contract as quickly as I can inform the notary.

Lisette (aside, while the Widow and the Baron talk in low voices) Do they wish to deceive me? For I understand nothing. (she dreams profoundly)

Argon (to the Baron) What did Girard warn me? But, it's your custom. I've often seen you boast of love. You believe yourself loved by Lisette, then, sir?

Argon Girard made no mistake. You intend to overwhelm her with your wealth. But she cannot betray her love for me.

Argon I am sure of her heart and her good faith. Decide between us to finish the dispute.

Baron I disdain it. Repeat for the one hundredth time that you love me tenderly.

Lisette Me, tell you that? Truly, I take little care, sir. It is from respect that I let you speak. I believed, at first, that you were boasting, to laugh. But, without offending you, sir, I will tell you, I have no love for you, nor will I ever have.

Argon I know my neighbor. Without a doubt, it is a dream that he has seen you in tears and heaving sighs. At his age, while sleeping, these are pleasant notions.

Argon I know Lucas is ambitious. He prefers your wealth; for you're worth more to him. But, besides, I believe her—what likelihood is there that Lisette, who always says what she thinks, has spoken to you of love, when she loves me?

Lisette What are you saying, sir? I have believed, in good faith, that you spoke in jest that you love me; but this joke is not true.

Widow (aside, delighted)
What is her plan? Does she dream, or is it I who dream?

Argon
It's in vain that you still think the secret is necessary. (to Baron)
We made a secret of our love. (to Lisette) Speak, I permit you to
speak freely.

Argon But, I understand nothing. Speak clearly, I wish it. Tell them that you intended to manage us both.

Lisette I had no intention of managing either of you, I assure you, and you can see it quite well.

Lisette For, hold on, I prefer my liberty, a hundred times, to all your grand honors and quality. To be the wife of a great lord, I would be a servant. As for your kindnesses, of which I am cognizant, pardon me if I refuse them. In a word, both of you wish to marry me, but I will never marry either one of you.

Argon Would you go get a notary to come to your house? We are going to conclude our business instantly.

Widow (to Baron, low) He abandons her, for you that's the main thing. I am going to rid you of a rival.

(Exit Baron and Widow. Argon returns from the other side, and looks to see if the Widow sees him.)

Lisette (dreaming, alone) I think—yes, from what I've seen, I've done well, I believe. When they are with me, by themselves, as they will be, I will know what to do to have them back.

Argon (aside) The Widow is already far away. Let's Let's penetrate this mystery. From scorn, I have banished all animosity. I return solely from curiosity, to see what reasons you will have to give me.

Lisette Permit me to laugh, seeing you so angry. What? Didn't you see what my plan was?

Lisette I told the Baron the truth, without ruse or subterfuge, for fear he would continue in his mistake. I didn't wish to deceive him.

Argon (still enraged)
I understand perfectly. But, why speak to me as to him? To refuse me?
Me? Me?

Lisette Let's talk about him first. You see me delighted. I have punished that liar the way I have quite wanted to.

Lisette
Patience. He wanted to marry me today, and my father is on his side.
And you wanted the jealous Widow to see that I love you and will marry
you. If they knew that I can love you they would get me locked up.

Lisette Truly, I would have completely spoiled the mystery. You told me yourself before to keep quiet.

Argon You've done very properly. Yes, you're right, and I am the fool. To deceive the Baron—yes, I see the pretence is prudent and useful.

Argon How charming Lisette is. I am not blind, I see clearly that Lisette prefers me to a far richer man. What love! What wit!

Lisette Yes, but let's separate. I will go alone, in secret, to your place for a short while.

Lisette He's coming. Leave me, for I tremble if the Baron and he should see us together.

Lisette (aside) Here I am sure of one, but he's my second choice. Let's retake the other one. He's back to speak to me.

Lucas She must have gone crazy and what she said astonishes me. You say she doesn't love you and refuses to be a Baroness?

Baron (to Lisette) You have just revived my wrath. Ah, how I ought to kill my love for you. How can you, at your age, have the audacity to give me the lie— me, and look in my face, and tell me that you don't love me?

Lisette (pretending to have a grudge against him)
Yes, I have maintained it to your face, for it is true.

Baron Without doubt, it happened unexpectedly to you, some vapor which disturbed your senses and memory. For how else could I believe that, after the ardent love you've shown me?

Baron Still? I am outraged. You have told me a hundred times, and before your father.

Lisette If I said it, I repent it so much. I have so much scorn, that if I said it, I will say the contrary, always to the whole wide world, to yourself, to my father. (pretending tenderness) What the world will know, that I loved you, and that, when I cried from love, you didn't want to marry me. No, no, and against you, my courage has returned. Me! I love you? I would indeed have little heart. My love was honest and yours was deceitful.

Baron Then it's from rage, suspecting my love is not sincere, that you have told me you don't love me?

Baron Let's forget all this, Lisette, let's go quickly to a notary. May a contract be the prize of your sincere love. Let's hurry.

Lisette I believe he's deceiving me. First, I saw the Widow when Argon spoke of the business in a fret with Girard. Raging, despairing—and now she's just embraced me, knowing that I deceived her, she comes to caress me.

Lisette (after having dreamed) If the Widow and Girard, who know how to trick, said to the Baron: pretend to marry her and as soon as she agrees, won't Argon be disgusted?

Lisette (dreaming again) For me, I don't see. For, on the other side, perhaps the Baron really wanted to marry me. That would embarrass, no, yes, the more I think about it— May I have enough wit and not be too clever by half.

Lucas Listen to my good advice. I have marvelous ideas. For, in the state where things are perilous, you have wit, but in a family affair, a father, as they say, is older than his daughter. Here then is my good advice. Let's go find the Baron. He's the most important.

Lucas Then I don't know any more than an animal? Oh, my third advice, it's to have a tete-a-tete.

Lisette And, I alone am going to find Mr. Argon. You finish one side, I will finish the other.

Lisette As for me, when both contracts are drawn up—I will see. The first one to sign—that's the one I'll take.

Lucas You will take hastily. It's the chance of the game. Let's sign two contracts soon, for fear we will lack one.

Lucas (alone) Go, quick, go. But how can she get that all out of her own head? I believe she must have two brains, for she always amazes me. Yes, she's only my daughter. By God, her wit is already far ahead of mine.

Girard (aside) Let's latch on to the father. I risk nothing, for without him the Baron can conclude nothing. By making him read this phony list, let us disturb his head. Let's throw the dice. (counterfeiting the newsboys) Lists, lists of winners!

Girard Clever. Are you curious? (putting the list on the side where Lucas is not) Read here.

Girard To an avaricious reader—oh beautiful thought. May a happy fool with a lucky number—

Girard No. I was mistaken. But, hum, hum. I hope— (letting Lucas see the paper) God, I don't see a thing.

Lucas Ah, by God, I see. Let's see quickly there, Girard. I see something about me.

Girard Take it easy. You probably have won nothing. I will give you a hundred francs at best.

Girard If you have, at least I want to be reimbursed. Return my money, it's my only resource.

Girard It's one of the numbers. It's at least a thousand francs. I have seen several zeroes.

Lucas (taking the list, upset) My heart beats—beats. I am quite transported. I'm afraid to have seen double, and to have counted too many. One, two, three, four, and five.

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

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.

Girard Yes, like birds. But, at first, in passing, 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 nobility.

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 naïve 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 embarrassed. 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.

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.

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

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.

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.

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

Lucas All the world will be beggars except me, because my wealth will divert me. While I am in the grain, I am going to see people cry famine. What a pleasure!

Lucas
They're going to propose to me some pretty expenses, pretty horses,
and pretty families to marry into. This business will increase wealth.
I'll buy whatever's for sale.

Lucas I'll have all this, indeed, for when one is very rich, one attracts all that for nothing.

Baron Ours, I have had the notary there, to write the contract. He's waiting only for you. We are agreed between us.

Lucas Ah, I believe that I remember something of it. Damn, when one has so much business, one thinks only of the best. Yes, we spoke of marriage, but it cannot be. There's only, but a bit—

Girard Lucas, remember that there's great honor, a handsome alliance to have a lord for a son-in-law.

Lucas
But, it's necessary to listen to me. I am a native of this hamlet.
That means, that from friendship, I love your earth, your chateau.
Yet, it's not mine if you become my son-in-law. My opinion is it would
be better if you sold it to me.

Lucas The land will ennoble me. That's what I want of you. While at Paris I increase my money, you keep the land fallow.

Lucas (aside, also rising) This little gentleman, he heard all that. He owes money everywhere, but he believes he is to be respected. But, I will have his chateau. He'd better leave. He has some creditors. I will have it through the law.

Girard (after having spoken low to the Baron) We have done all, sir, for your good. But to revenge yourself, better say nothing.

Lisette I have been looking for you everywhere. Ouf! I'm out of breath. To find you, father, took a lot of trouble. I have run—for they say—but I don't believe it—I heard it everywhere—the Grand Prize. These are the compliments that greet me everywhere. They say a hundred thousand francs. Is it true, father?

Argon (who runs after her) Well, are you fleeing from me? Speak! Since you've heard about the lottery, and you know the news, you scorn me.

Argon This is a handsome fortune. But, it ought not to attract your scorn to me. Answer me, at least. Will you marry me?

Lisette I obey my father. He has told me that he wishes to defer this business. (low to Lucas and making a sign with her eyes to him) Tell him that it's you who refuse.

Lisette (signaling with her eyes)
Tell them something that will end my engagement, at least.

Lucas Eh! You trouble yourself too much about them. Leave off your winking. Not necessary for any polish. You have what you need to marry.

Widow Her father covets her, the opulent fool. Foolishness that he doesn't try to excuse.

Argon By her own fault, she herself disabused me. As for me, so as not to risk another love trick, I'm engaging myself to you.

Widow
Friendship without love. That's what we agree makes a good marriage.
Love is restless and bores itself in a household.

Lucas Between the land and our money—there's the difference. Their land and their chateau. It's nothing but a little plot. It will never increase, no, not even an abortion. But my money is in a great adventure. It will swell at first, and then like a river, it will increase.

Lisette Ah, how I will have lovers who will respect me. What happiness! I will see brilliant fortunes. What a following I am going to have. Lackeys, servants.

Girard
Go on foot, from fear that your carriage will break down. This is
going to reform the pomp of your train. (giving the list to Lisette)
This is the true list.

Widow Yes, the reversal is very afflicting. But you've shone already for your money. A hundred thousand francs for you in the air.

Lucas (looking for the place where the prize was shown in his other
list)
Eh! Go on, go on, let them talk. Here, here. It's here. For Lucas, the
Grand Prize.

Girard
But nothing—gets nothing. I made the false list, and I found wealth.
I've gotten all of Lucas' rents. My love for you makes heroic
sacrifices. I give them all to you, Lisette.

Girard Yes, I have pity for the trouble in which I see you. These gentlemen, without their ranks. My offer ought to please you. They have made their fortune, and I have my fortune to make. But, I am, in a day, by myself, more amorous than the two of them can be in a month. They have not been able to acquire a young girl. But nobility acquires more than riches.

Lisette (to widow) How much I owe you, Madame! It's you who turned my spirit upside down, in telling me that one must be a coquette.

Lisette (to Girard) I listened to her. You must have a Baron, she always said. No, I would never have thought of anyone but you, except for her. If I had followed my natural inclination, from tenderness I would have chosen you.

Widow That's the fate of a coquette. After high prospects, one sees her, sooner or later, confused, confounded, and reduced to a Girard.

CURTAIN

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