The Stepmother, A Drama in Five Acts

Produced by Dagny and John Bickers
Presented for the First Time in Paris At the Theatre-Historique May 25, 1848
Comte de Grandchamp, a Napoleonic General Eugene Ramel, a State's Attorney Ferdinand Marcandal Doctor Vernon Godard An Investigating Magistrate Felix, servant to General de Grandchamp Champagne, a foreman Baudrillon, a druggist Napoleon, son to General de Grandchamp by his second wife Gertrude, second wife to General de Grandchamp Pauline, daughter to General de Grandchamp by his first wife Marguerite, maid to Pauline Gendarmes, Sheriff's Officer, the Clergy
(A richly decorated drawing-room; on the walls are portraits of Napoleon I. and his son. The entry is by a large double glass door, which opens on a roofed veranda and leads by a short stairway to a park. The door of Pauline's apartments are on the right; those of the General and his wife are on the left. On the left side of the central doorway is a table, and on the right is a cabinet. A vase full of flowers stands by the entrance to Pauline's room. A richly carved marble mantel, with a bronze clock and candelabras, faces these apartments. In the front of the stage are two sofas, one on the left, the other on the right. Gertrude enters, carrying the flowers which she has just plucked, and puts them in the vase.)
Gertrude and the General.
Gertrude I assure you, my dear, that it would be unwise to defer any longer giving your daughter in marriage. She is now twenty-two. Pauline has been very slow in making her choice; and, in such a case, it is the duty of parents to see that their children are settled. Moreover, I am very much interested in her.
The General In what way?
Gertrude The position of stepmother is always open to suspicion; and for some time it has been rumored in Louviers that I am the person who throws obstacles in the way of Pauline's marriage.
The General That is merely the idle gossip of little towns. I should like to cut out some of those silly tongues. And to think that they should attack you of all people, Gertrude, who have been a real mother to Pauline—whom you have educated most excellently!