ACT II.
Scene.—Lustucru's room. Lustucru discovered sitting at table in a happy mood.
Lustucru. At last! at last! I have not waited in vain; fortune has smiled upon my efforts, and rewarded my patience. The Countess has gone to her sister, and only stupid Mother Michel remains. No one saw me seize that wretched Cat last night and put him in the basket; no one saw my joyful dance around my treasure, and no one saw my look of bliss when I flung the Cat from the high bridge down, down into the great river. Mother Michel receive five hundred francs in reward for care of that Cat! I think not. Wretched, ungrateful beast! I am at rest now, I breathe freely: Moumouth is dead; revenge is mine. Ah! here comes Michel, looking, no doubt, for our Cat.
[Enter Michel, hastily.]
Michel. Good-morning, Lustucru; but have you seen Moumouth this morning? In vain have I searched for him.
Lustucru. Does your Cat ever come where I am? You know he hates me.
Michel. Alas! where is he? I left him last night by the parlor fire, and now I can not find him.
Lustucru (slyly). Can he be lost?
Michel. Ah, no, no! it is impossible. He is somewhere in the house.
Lustucru. He ought to be found. [With feigned anxiety.] He ought to be searched for this instant. Moumouth is a precious animal, whose value makes it well worth the search. Let us search for him.
[They proceed to look under furniture and in corners, Lustucru chuckling and dancing whenever Michel's back is turned.]
Michel. Alas! I left him only an instant.
Lustucru. I begin to believe that he is lost. It is a great misfortune for you. The Countess—what will she say when she returns? She is capable of turning you out of doors.
Michel (indignant). Turn me out of doors! Father Lustucru, do you know of whom you are speaking?
Lustucru (politely). Certainly, madame. To Mother Michel—the Cat lover—and loser.
Duo.—Lustucru and Michel.
Tune—"A dairy-maid am I." No. 21, Haymakers. George Root.
Michel.
Mother Michel am I,
Maid to her Grace;
And I'll have you to know
I mean to keep my place.
Lustucru.
Father Lustucru am I,
Steward to her Grace;
And I'll have you to know
I mean to keep my place.
Michel.
Oh! will you be quiet,
You hateful old codger!
Lustucru.
Oh! will you be quiet,
Cat loser, and dodger!
Michel. } together {
Lustucru. } together {
Oh, in my life I ne'er saw
Such a bother—oh, bother, oh, bother!
Michel. } together { Mother Michel am I, etc.
Lustucru. } together { Father Lustucru am I, etc.
Lustucru (at end of song). Madame, do not be discouraged—
Michel. Oh, don't speak to me—don't, don't, I pray of you. [Weeps violently.]
Solo.—Mother Michel.
Tune—"I can not dance to-night." Mrs. T. H. Bayly.
Oh, who will bring him back to me?
Oh, who will bring me joy once more?
Who will set my heart at rest,
And Moumouth dear restore?
It makes my tears so doleful
As I think upon his charms—
Oh, who will bring him back to me,
Restore him to these arms?
[Repeat first verse.]
Lustucru (as her song ends, during which he has been chuckling). Mother Michel, I do bethink me, I dreamed of Moumouth last night.
Michel (groaning). Alas! alas! how did he look?
Lustucru. In good sooth, pale and sad, as if he were not well. [Groans also.]
Michel. Oh. Lustucru, even you feel his loss, although he never loved you. I can forgive you everything, when I hear that groan of anguish. Where did you dream Moumouth was?
Lustucru. He seemed to be in the garden, under the lilac bushes, his favorite resort.
Michel. I will go and look there. Oh, Lustucru, this anguish!
[Exit Michel. Lustucru dances, singing.]
Solo.—Lustucru.
Tune—"Lucy Long."
Oh, Moumouth dear, my darling,
I hope you're nicely drowned,
And never more a-kicking
By Michel will be found.
Tra la! la! la! la! etc.
[Repeat verse as refrain.]
Enter Michel. Lustucru suddenly stops, and becomes doleful.
Lustucru. Was he there? Dear Mother Michel, was our charming Moumouth there?
Michel. Oh no! no! no! What shall I do!
Lustucru. Have you looked in the store-room? I imagined I heard a meowing just now as I passed by the door.
Michel. No, but I will go look. Oh, Lustucru, I forgive you everything, you are so kind. Oh, my Cat, Moumouth!
[Exit, and is heard calling in the distance. Lustucru returns to his dance.]
Solo.—Lustucru.
Tune—"Lucy Long."
Call, my charming Michel,
Call till you are hoarse;
You will not find your Moumouth,
For he is dead, of course.
Enter Michel, mournfully. Lustucru sober again.
Lustucru. Alas! my friend, you have not found him?
Michel. No, no. Moumouth, Moumouth, you break my heart. Come to my arms.
Lustucru (with hidden malice).
Oh, Mother Michel,
Your cat is not lost;
He's up in the garret
A-hunting the mice
With his little straw gun
And sabre of wood.
Michel (eagerly). He is in the garret? I hasten there on wings of love. Moumouth! pussy! [Exit, calling as before.]
Lustucru. What a cat-astrophe, and what fe-elin' she has! Whittington, Lord Mayor of London, miller's son, you are all excelled by this excellent woman, whose love for her Cat only exceeds her love for—five hundred francs that she shall not get. Ah! I have a heart for any—
Michel (heard without, shouting). Joy! he is found, my charming Moumouth! my Cat! my friend! Joy!
Enter with Moumouth in her arms.
Lustucru (who has stepped back, thunder-struck). Found!
Michel. Yes, yes. Give me joy, Lustucru. I could dance for joy.
Duo.—Lustucru and Michel.
Tune—"Lucy Long."
Michel (capering).
Oh dear, I am so joyful,
I can not help but dance.
Lustucru.
I give joy, oh, Michel,
For this most happy (?) chance.
Michel.
I'm so glad he's living,
Lustucru (viciously).
The darling little pet.
Michel.
The joy of my heart.
Lustucru (aside).
I'll have my revenge yet.
[Repeat together the first two verses.]
[Curtain falls on Act II.]