ACT II.
Scene I.—Dorimene and Eleonora.
| Dor. Come here, my dear Eleonora; I wish to speakto you alone. My brother, I believe, is gone out. [Looksout.] He is not in his cabinet. | |
| Eleon. [Aside.] What can she have to say? She hasa friendship for me, but I believe her interest is morefor her brother. I can expect no consolation. | |
| Dor. We are alone, and may speak freely. Permitme first to observe that within these few days you havehad a serious, melancholy air, which seems but little tosuit your expectations. | |
| Eleon. It is natural to me, Madame; more or less, Iam always so. | |
| Dor. Excuse me; but on your arrival at Paris youhad no such gloomy expression. You are entirelychanged, and certainly not without cause. | |
| Eleon. But really there is no such change. | |
| Dor. My good young friend, you conceal the truth,and want confidence in me. Be a little more just, andrest assured that, though I proposed a marriage betweenyou and my brother, no foolish ambition makes me wishit should succeed at the expense of your heart. Tell meopenly what are your wishes; speak freely, and youshall see whether I am your friend. | |
| Eleon. [Aside.] If I durst, but—No, no. | |
| Dor. Have you any dislike to my brother? | |
| Eleon. I have not long had the honour of his acquaintance,Madame. | |
| Dor. His age, for example, may seem a little too greatwhen compared with your own. | |
| Eleon. The age of a man does not appear to me athing of great importance. | |
| Dor. You perhaps think that my brother is rathertoo economical. | |
| Eleon. You know, Madame, I have been educated ineconomy. | |
| Dor. If so, my dear Eleonora, to my great satisfaction,I have been entirely mistaken, and you will be perfectlyhappy with my brother. | |
| Eleon. I!—Do you think so? | |
| Dor. No doubt; it cannot be otherwise. I havequestioned you with the best intentions, and you haveanswered—sincerely, as I must believe. | |
| Eleon. Oh, certainly. | |
| Dor. Then be at peace; your heart tells me you willbe happy. | |
| Eleon. [Affected.] My heart, Madame! | |
| Dor. Your heart. | |
| Eleon. Ah! I do not understand my own heart. | |
| Dor. Why are you so much moved? | |
| Eleon. [Looking off the stage.] Did not some one callme? | |
| Dor. Called? Where? By whom? | |
| Eleon. [Going.] Perhaps my mother—perhaps somebody— | |
| Dor. No, no; pray stay. Your mother knows youare with me, and therefore cannot be in fear. I havesomething more to say to you. | |
| Eleon. [Aside.] How difficult to disguise my feelings! | |
| Dor. Remember, your heart has told me— | |
| Eleon. [Timorously.] What, Madame? | |
| Dor. You are in love with another. | |
| Eleon. [Confused.] I, Madame! | |
| Dor. You; your blushes confirm it. | |
| Eleon. [Aside.] Heavens! have I betrayed myself?—[Aloud.]You will not tell this to my mother? I shallbe lost! | |
| Dor. No, no; fear nothing. Though you have discoveredthat you cannot confide in me, I love youtenderly, and am incapable of giving you needless pain.Here your mother comes; let us consider between ourselves. | |
| Eleon. Ah, Madame! [Embracing.] | |
| Scene II.—Enter Araminta. | |
| Aram. Well, child; I fear you are troublesome. | |
| Eleon. Pardon me, but— | |
| Dor. We are friends, and I entreated her to keep mecompany. | |
| Aram. You are kinder to her than she deserves. Icannot understand her; she is become so melancholyand dull. | |
| Dor. The air of Paris may not agree with her. | |
| Aram. Do you think so? Since she left the place ofher education, she is no longer the same. Nothingpleases, nothing diverts her. Music, reading, and drawingare all forsaken. I have spared no expense, andhave taken no little delight in perceiving her progress;while, at present, I am equally surprised to see herthus negligent. I willingly incur expense for any goodpurpose; but no one can be more angry than I am atsquandering money. | |
| Eleon. [Aside.] It is very true. I no longer knowmyself. | |
| Dor. Nay, Madame. | |
| Aram. If she wishes to return to her retirement, whynot say so? | |
| Dor. Oh, no, Madame; she has no such wish. | |
| Aram. But why, then, child, are you so gloomy, soindolent? You are soon to be married, and to directa family; this requires activity, attention, and order,as you may see by my example. I am busy frommorning to evening, here and there, going, coming,helping, commanding, and sometimes obliged to findfault; but, by these means, all goes well. | |
| Eleon. [Aside.] I hoped to do the same, but all myhopes are flown! | |
| Dor. Oh, Madame, when your daughter's heart shallbe at ease— | |
| Aram. At ease! What does she want? Is not themarriage contract to be signed to-day? | |
| Dor. Here comes my brother! He can best informyou— | |
| Eleon. [Aside.] How miserable am I! | |
| Scene III.—Enter the Count and a Jeweller. | |
| Count. I am happy, ladies, to find you together. Icame purposely to ask your advice. | |
| Aram. On what subject? Ladies are sometimes excellentadvisers. | |
| Count. [To the Jeweller.] Show your case of jewels. | |
| Aram. [Aside.] Jewels! He may well ask advice insuch articles; it is easy to be cheated. | |
| Jew. [Presenting the case to Dorimene.] Please examineif there can be purer and more perfect diamonds. | |
| Count. Pray give me your opinion. | |
| Dor. I think them admirable! What say you,Eleonora? | |
| Eleon. [With indifference.] I do not understand suchthings. | |
| Aram. I do—show them to me. Though I never woreany diamonds, trade has made me well acquainted withthem. [Taking the case.] These are fine, indeed! Perfectlyassorted, and of a beautiful water. What is their price? | |
| Count. Oh, that is a secret between ourselves. [Tothe Jeweller.] Is it not? | |
| Jew. My lord—I have nothing to say. | |
| Aram. [Aside.] So much the worse; the Count willbe the more easily imposed upon. He comes to askadvice, and then refuses to hear it. | |
| Count. [Apart, to the Jeweller.] My good friend, willyou trust your diamonds with me three or four days? | |
| Jew. [To the Count.] If the ladies think them good,and well chosen, I should prefer— | |
| Count. Nay, friend; jewels of this value must not bepurchased without reflection. Knowing me, you cannotbe afraid. | |
| Jew. By no means! They are at your service. | |
| Count. Be pleased to return at the end of the week.I know the price, and you shall then have the moneyor the diamonds. | |
| Jew. I am much obliged to you, Signor. | [Exit. |
| Scene IV. | |
| Count. [Aside.] Excellent! just as I wished!—[ToEleonora.] Will you do me the favour, Madame, to wearthe jewels I have the honour to present you, at leastfor to-day. | |
| Dor. To-day? | |
| Count. It is the day on which we are to sign the contract,and we shall have thirty persons at table. | |
| Aram. Thirty! | |
| Count. At least, Madame. | |
| Aram. [Aside.] He will ruin himself! But I willhear more. | |
| Count. [Presenting the case to Dorimene.] Dear sister,let me request you to take this case, and to kindly bepresent at the toilet of this lady, to assist in arrangingthe diamonds. Will you do me the pleasure, charmingEleonora, to accept my sister's aid? | |
| Eleon. [Coldly.] My mamma never wears diamonds. | |
| Aram. Do not be silly, child. I did not weardiamonds, because my husband was too prudent toindulge in such expenses; but, if the Count thinkdifferently, complaisance requires your acquiescence. | |
| Eleon. But, you know, mamma— | |
| Aram. Oh, I know—I know, child! You do notknow good breeding. Accept them gratefully. | |
| Eleon. [Aside.] Unhappy me!—[To the Count.]Signor—I am greatly obliged. | |
| Dor. [Apart to the Count.] Are you satisfied withsuch a cold manner? | |
| Count. Perfectly. | |
| Dor. Have you no dissatisfaction; no fears? | |
| Count. Not the least. | |
| Dor. [Aside.] What a singular man is my brother? | |
| Scene V.—Enter Frontino. | |
| Front. Here is a letter, sir. | |
| Count. With your permission, ladies. | |
| Aram. By all means. [To Dorimene.] Let us examinethe jewels a little. | |
| Count. [To himself, having read the letter.] The marquiscomes at an ill time! After a dinner of thirtyguests, I must give him a supper! He asks it withso little ceremony too! How can it be managed? | |
| Dor. What is the matter, brother? | |
| Count. [Affecting cheerfulness.] Nothing, nothing. Ihave just received news which gives me pleasure. TheMarquis del Bosco is arrived, and coming to sup withme this evening. | |
| Eleon. [Agitated.] What do I hear? | |
| Aram. I know the Marquis; his county seat is notthree miles distant from mine. | |
| Count. You will see him this evening, with theMarchioness his daughter, and the Chevalier his son. | |
| Eleon. [Still more agitated.] The Chevalier! OHeaven! | |
| Count. I hope they will be in time to be present, whenwe sign the contract. | |
| Eleon. [Still aside.] Fatal trial! How shall I supportit? | |
| Aram. What is the matter, daughter? | |
| Eleon. Nothing—not much—a sudden giddiness. | |
| Count. [To Araminta.] For Heaven's sake, take careof—[To Frontino.] Don't go. | |
| Aram. The open air will revive her. | |
| Dor. Let us walk into the garden. | |
| Aram. By all means. | |
| Dor. Is the door open, brother? | |
| Count. No; but here is the key. | |
| Dor. [Aside.] He will trust it to nobody, but has italways in his pocket.—Come, Eleonora.—[Aside.] Thismay be a proper opportunity. [Retiring with Eleonora.] | |
| Count. [To Araminta.] I hope, Madame, this attackis trifling; but the young lady should not be exposedto the least danger. If you think proper, we will deferthe dinner of to-day, and have a supper instead. | |
| Aram. Just as you please—but your dinners andsuppers—I have much to say to you on such subjects.My daughter may want me; I will return presently. | |
| Scene VI. | |
| Count. [Earnestly.] Hark ye, Frontino! send messengersimmediately, to inform the guests I have invitedthat, instead of dinner, I entreat them to honour mewith their company at supper. | |
| Front. So, so! But it will be difficult to find themall, so late in the day. | |
| Count. No matter. Those who may come to dinnermust be told of the change. They will return tosupper, or not, as they please. | |
| Front. Yes, Signor.—[Aside.] Admirable! quite incharacter! | [Exit. |
| Count. This visit comes at a lucky time! Nothingcould be more fortunate. | |
| Scene VII.—Enter Araminta | |
| Count. Well, dear Madame? Eleonora? | |
| Aram. All, I hope, will be well. | |
| Count. Then I shall be happy; for health should beour first care. I have sent round to the guests, withan invitation to supper this evening. | |
| Aram. Thirty persons at supper! | |
| Count. I hope so, Madame. | |
| Aram. Permit me to speak openly, and tell you allI think. | |
| Count. You cannot give me greater pleasure. | |
| Aram. Is it not extreme folly to assemble thirtypersons, twenty of whom, at least, will make a jest ofyou? | |
| Count. A jest of me? | |
| Aram. Beyond all doubt. Do not think I am avaricious;thank heaven, that is not my defect; but Icannot endure to see money squandered. | |
| Count. But, on such a day, and under such circumstances. | |
| Aram. Are they your relations, whom you haveinvited? | |
| Count. By no means. A select company; thenobility! the literati! the magistracy! all persons ofdistinction. | |
| Aram. Worse and worse! Vanity, ostentation, folly!My good friend, you do not know the value of money. | |
| Count. [Smiles.] I do not know the value of money! | |
| Aram. Alas, you do not! Your sister made mebelieve you were economical; had I known the truth,I should never have married my daughter to a spendthrift. | |
| Count. So you think me a spendthrift! | |
| Aram. I first perceived it by the considerable sumyou threw away in the purchase of a title; which sacrificeto vanity has no beneficial end. | |
| Count. How! Are you not aware the rank I haveacquired will impress a character of respect on myself,your daughter, and our descendants? | |
| Aram. Quite the reverse. I would have rather givenmy daughter to you, as Signor Anselmo Colombani, awell-known merchant, than to the Count of Casteldoro,a newly-made nobleman. | |
| Count. But, Madame— | |
| Aram. Your ancestors have saved what you willscatter. | |
| Count. Scatter! I! You are mistaken, Madame.You do not know me. | |
| Aram. Oh yes, yes. I saw the manner in which,without any knowledge of diamonds, or asking theleast advice, you were led away by the jeweller. | |
| Count. Oh, with respect to the diamonds— | |
| Aram. Ah, ay! I know your answer. They are todecorate the Countess of Casteldoro. And who is theCountess of Casteldoro? My daughter, Signor, has beenwell educated, but with no such expectations. Everythinghas been done in abundance, that could contributeto convenience, decency, and information; butnothing to pomp and vanity. The ornaments of mydaughter ever will be modesty, obedience, and thatself-respect which she could not but acquire from suchan education. | |
| Count. [A little moved.] But, Madame— | |
| Aram. [Very warmly.] But, Signor—[softening]—I askyour pardon—Perhaps you may think me too warm; butI see you hurried into a gulf of expense that makesme tremble. My daughter's happiness is concerned:I give her a hundred thousand crowns in marriage. | |
| Count. [Somewhat haughtily.] Am I not able to settlean equal sum upon her? | |
| Aram. Yes, at present. But wealth will diminish;and especially when we have the vanity to be profuse,grand, and magnificent. | |
| Count. I once more assure you, Madame, you do notknow me. | |
| Aram. Signor, had you been a different person, Ihad conceived an excellent plan. My annual incomeis five-and-twenty thousand livres: I might have livedwith you and my daughter, and the two families mighthave become one; but, at present, Heaven preserve mefrom taking such a step! | |
| Count. [Aside.] She will drive me mad!—[To Araminta.]Pray hear me. [Whispering and cunningly.] Youmistake my character. Few people indeed understandeconomy so well as I do, as you will soon be convinced.I willingly close with your proposal, and— | |
| Aram. By no means! You try in vain to persuademe against conviction. Respecting my daughter—Ihave promised—we shall see—but for myself it isdifferent. Not all the gold on earth should induce meto make such an arrangement, with a man who doesnot know the use of money, but lets it slip through hisfingers faster than flour through a sieve. | [Exit. |
| Count. This is admirable! I never imagined I shouldpass for a prodigal. | [Exit. |