Count De Valmont. Baron Longueville. Florian, a foundling adopted by De Valmont. Bertrand, valet to Longueville. L’Eclair, valet to Florian. Gaspard, an old domestic. | Geraldine, niece to De Valmont. Rosabelle, her woman. Monica, an old woman. Unknown Female. | |
| Sanguine, Lenoire, | bravoes in the pay of Longueville. | Domestics, Peasants, Dancers, &c. &c. |
SCENE—The Chateau de Valmont and its environs, situate in the upper Alsace, near the River Rhine.
[ACT I.]
[SCENE I.]—A hall in the Chateau de Valmont.
Enter Bertrand, in agitation, followed by Longueville.
Ber. Forbear, my lord! to urge me further.—Would you tempt me to insure perdition?—my soul is heavy enough with weight of crimes already.
Long. Hypocrite! You, whom I have known in childhood—a villain, even from the cradle—committing crimes as pastimes—has your hand been exercised thus long in blood, to shake with conscience, and desert me now?
Ber. I have, indeed, deserved reproaches, but not from your lips, my lord! Remember, for you it was this hand was first defiled with blood—remember, too—
Long. Yes, villain! I do remember, that my misplaced bounty once gave you back a forfeit life. Twenty years past, when, as a deserter, you were sentenced, by the regiment under my command, to death, your fate was inevitable, had not I vouchsafed a pardon. Traitor! you, too, had best remember a solemn oath at that same period passed your lips, which bound you, soul and body, to my service ever—unscrupling to perform my pleasures, whether good or ill, and still to hold my secrets fast from earthly ears, though unabsolving priests renounced you on the death-bed.
Ber. (shuddering) Ay! ay! it was an oath of horror, and if you command, it must be kept. Well, then—the young, the brave, the good, kindhearted Florian—yes—he dies!