First produced at the Lyceum Theatre.July 5th, 1847.
Scene. —Verdun, the frontier of France and Lorraine.
Time—1745.
Time Of Representation—1 hour and 30 minutes.
.—Purple velvet coat, amber satin waistcoat, purple velvet small clothes, sword, cocked hat, tagged epaulettes, high black boots, white silk sash, powdered wig of the period.
.—Crimson velvet coat, white satin waistcoat, crimson velvet small clothes, black velvet shoes with diamond buckles, powdered wig of the period.
.—Green velvet coat, white satin waistcoot, green velvet small clothes, cocked hat with feathered edge, white sash, wig of the period.
.—Blue military coat, white small clothes, black boots, feather edged cocked hat, wig of the period. {2nd dress.} — Green velvet riding habit, black hat with feathers, long curled powdered wig, amber satin petticoat
.—Amber satin dress of the time.
—Brocade dress, silk apron—lace cap.
.—Claret-coloured velvet coat, blue satin waistcoat, white small clothes, high black boots, drab hat with gold cord and tassel , {2nd dress.—} White bridal dress.
.—Red petticoat, flowered gown.
Oh, yes, sir, mine's the first inn in Verdun. You may rely on every attention.
Ah, as I live, the governor !
This is the " White Lion," Madame Thibaut's Inn.
Yes—Verdun's the place for sweetmeats and pretty women!
I have often heard of Madame Thibault as one much attached to your family.
Yes, yes—we have known her some time.
Oh, yes, my lady, I have known the duke above thirty years.
So long ?
Yes, yes—she was nurse in the family.
True. And then your lordship was a grown-up handsome soldier.
No, no—you're mistaken,
No, no, your lordship. I perfectly remember, a very short time after I entered the family, how disappointed you were when another obtained the rank to which seniority entitled you.
And that is thirty years ago ?
Oh, nonsense ! The woman's in her dotage. I was so very young when I entered the service, that—
It was but the other day three officers breakfasting here, were saying his lordship would soon be promoted to the rank of general.
Indeed!
That's true enough.
Yes, and very just, too, as they said—he being the
I beg your lordship's pardon—I hope I haven't offended your lordship —I'm sure I shall never forget your lordship's kindness in permitting me to open the inn.
Oh, dear! your lordship—
But why, my dear ? I must take Madame Thibaut under my protection.
We are here on the frontiers of France and Lorraine, and the new convention between the two countries exacts a more active watchfulness on the one side, to render to the good King Stanislaus such of his subjects as may run away from him, and on the other, to keep an eye on those of Louis the Fifteenth, as may have the curiosity to pass into Lorraine. The orders are peremptory, and Madame Thibaut is accused of giving shelter to—
All travellers who stop at my house—that's all— and at this moment I have nobody but traders and servants.
Yes, one—one very young gentleman.—he arrived in the night, and went to bed directly.
No, from Lorraine.
Are you sure of that ?
Quite sure. I know the postilion who drove him.
Then 'tis not the same,
Dear me, I'm all of a tremble!
Silence!
Oh dear! how you made me jump!
As I live, the governor and the duchess !
The Count de Lannoy!
I am most happy to meet your ladyship!
Ball! has there been a ball ?
Yes. But I never received an invitation—it was lost, or mislaid, I suppose.
Oh, what a pity! I should have so liked to have danced—
Marguerite!
With my husband.
True. Ladies should always dance with their husbands—at least, at first. But how is it, my lord duke, when you were a bachelor, you used to give charming fetes, and now—
But my wife, who has just left a convent, is not fond of company.
On the contrary, my dear, I adore company. It's so tiresome to be always at home,
tete-a-tete with—
Adieu, count—we are going.
And I also. I just called on Madame Thibaut for a little information about an arrest.
Another!
Ha, ha, ha! If we should be in search of the same party—
I am looking after a young girl.
Then it's not the same person.
The convent where I was brought up. And her name?
Helen de Montbrun!
I don't know her.
What's the matter ?
Nothing, nothing, only I thought—I—that is, we should be too late.
Very true, my dear—we'll go at once.
And as my lovely fugitive is not here, I beg permission to accompany you.
Ah, Madame Thibaut! be sure to give me information should any female arrive at your inn from Lorraine.
And of all travellers from Paris.
Under the penalty of a heavy fine—
And of having your house closed.
Allow me, my dear friend—
I beg pardon, I'm mistaken.
I must close my house.
Madame!
You want an apartment, sir ? I can assure you—
Hear me, madame. This morning a lady—a very young lady, arrived here!
Sir, I—
I know she was very pretty, very tired, and required instantly to be shown to her apartment.
Nay, but—
I know. She begged no one might be allowed to see her.
But, sir—
I know. But one friend—a relation, a brother, whom she expects. I am that brother. Lead me to her.
There's neither old or young lady in my house.
Then why the devil didn't you say so before ?
How could I? You wouldn't let me get in a word.
Some one else arrived.
Ah, hostess!
Yes—here!
Am I so fortunate ? Colonel D'Aubreuil!
Directly, sir.
Excuse me—I have no appetite.
Dinner for one, then ?
No—for two, I tell you. I'll eat for you, if a man can eat in such a precious hole.
Sir!
There, run along, my good woman.
Well, colonel!
Why, what the devil's the matter with you ? I see, you're in love.
Do you think so ?
To be sure. You ought to be, at your age. As for me, I'm always in a state of past, present, and future.
And pray which state are you in now ?
Now, I'll give you a noble example of frankness. I've been in love these two months.
Two months ? The date of your departure from Nancy.
Yes. When I left the court of King Stanislaus without taking leave of anyone. That virtuous prince having requested me, as a particular favour, to quit his dominions in three hours.
And the reason ?
Why, you see, necessity compelled me to take a convent by storm.
A convent?
Yes, the Convent of the Ursulines,
And you fell in love with her?
That moment and for ever. I knew not who she was, but I remarked in my daily visits to the convent, she always wore, either round her neck or in her hair, a rose-coloured ribbon, which had a most charming effect. From this I learnt her name, and risked a letter.
You wrote to her?
A declaration that scorched the very paper. But I never got an answer.
You should have written again.
So I did, twenty times over; and at last the good king Stanislaus took me aside, and informed me the lady abbess had intercepted all the letters I had addressed to Marguerite. A pretty name, isn't it ?
Well, and the king said—
That in consideration of my youth, he was inclined to
And you promised?
No I didn't. I only bowed—which meant either yes or no; and in an hour afterwards I was hid in one of the niches of the chapel, and learnt that her cell looked over the garden. I was not sure which was her window, but trusted to the dictates of my heart to point it out to me, and in the evening I scaled the wall, clambered up to the window—
And found yourself—
In the apartment of the Lady Abbess.
Good heavens!
She screamed like a mad woman. Twenty old nuns joined in the chorus, so I made for the convent gates, and luckily escaped, and three hours afterwards I was on the frontier, blowing kisses to my lady love, which were borne to her by the wind.
And at Versailles you soon forgot her!
No. I must be more constant in my nature than I had thought, for I'm more in love than ever. Besides, there are difficulties. But a few days ago I learnt that on my first attempt to re-enter Lorraine, I ran the risk of being accommodated in the Bastile—that first set me thinking on the matter, and another circumstance decided me. I received a sudden order to rejoin my regiment, near Fontenoy, where Marshal Saxe had appointed to meet us. I left Versailles. My comrades were all boasting of the loveliness of their mistresses, who had decorated them with a knot of their ribbons on this day of their departure. I alone had none. They jeered and laughed at me. Stung to the quick, I vaunted the charms of her I love, and swore she should herself attach to my hat the lovely rose-coloured ribbon, which was ever fluttering before my eyes. They dared me—me, more deeply in love than ever. So, in defiance of their double police, I have engaged my honour for the conquest of Marguerite's colours !
I wish you a double victory.
Thank you, my friend. But you—who are you in love with ?
With the loveliest—most charming creature—
Next to mine. Does she know you ?
Certainly.
That's one advantage you have over me. And you hope in time, I suppose—
In time? Egad, I've carried her off.
The devil you have!
Yes, that's another advantage I have over you.
Very true. But tell us all about it—it may serve as a guide to me. Well, you carried her off—where from ?
From the Convent of the Ursulines, at Nancy.
Hey! not—not my Marguerite ?
No, no. My mistress had but scarcely entered its wall. I had long loved Helen de Montbrun. Yesterday the convent's gates closed on her; and last night night, while I was dancing at a ball, a rope ladder, prepared by my faithful valet, thrown over the wall you scaled to so little purpose, restored her to liberty. A post chaise was ready to bring her to Verdun, where this morning I was to join her at the "Black Horse."
Bravo, my dear fellow—that's the way to carry on the war. And your Helen—has she arrived ?
No—I have been all over the town, but can hear nothing of her.
The devil!
But she must be here. I'll retrace my steps from inn to inn, and now you are here, I have no fear of missing her.
That's right. If she arrives here in your absence, I'll receive her for you. Ma'amzelle Helen de Montbrun ?
Sir, your dinner is served in your apartment, and your portmanteau has been carried there. Oh, I had forgotten to say the little dressing-room at the side is used for the next apartment, as well as the one you occupy. There is a traveller in it at present.
A lady ?
No, sir—a young gentleman. He's quite alone.
Ah, in that ease, we'll ask him to dine with us.
Well, well, I'll resume my search. Keep a room ready for me, aud if a lady should arrive—
Oh, nothing, sir.
You will inform this gentleman, who will attend on her until my return. Captain, I rely on your friendship.
Yes! but I shan't be easy until I have informed the commandant. I can't afford to compromise my inn.
I hope no one has followed me.
Besides, these young men seem a couple of scapegraces, and—
Madame, I—
The duchess, I declare!
Hush ! I have come here to do a good action, which you can share with me—it will cost little, and—
Oh, if it costs nothing, I—
You said there was a young gentleman here from Lorraine.
So he told me!
To deceive you, no doubt. Is he aware he is in danger of being arrested'?
Oh, dear! well, he does seem very uneasy—always at the window—
'Tis he, then!
But my lady—
Poor young man! I don't know him, but his liberty is threatened. From what you told my husband, his suspicion is aroused, and I have escaped from him, to beg you, my good Madame Thibaut, to warn this traveller.
But his lordship's orders, my lady. Besides, if he is guilty.
Of some trifling folly only. A young man of birth and family—he is handsome—
Very, and very young.
That is nothing to me. But you will tell him ? '
Ah, landlady! I have been looking for you.
What's the matter, sir?
Pray who is the young man you have put into the next apartment to mine, and who entered my dressing-room without ceremony ?
Only a traveller, sir. I thought between men—
Oh dear, no—not at all! I won't have it! Let me have another room, or I shall quit your house.
Very well, sir, you shall. But here's a lady wishes to speak to you !
And you, sir, are a stranger to me, but I—I—
I would render you a service, sir—they are seeking to arrest you.
Me ? oh, then they know—
Everything. The order has arrived to prevent your passing the frontier—
I shall die!
And to have you reconducted, under a strong guard, to Paris.
Doubtless you have come—
I came from Nancy.
How?
What have I said?
Are you not Captain Sanspeur ?
Sanspeur! no, that I ain't—don't know him.
Then I am mistaken ! I beg your pardon, but trust, as a gentleman, you will not mention
this interview,
I'll not stay here. If D'Aubreuil doesn't come, I'll go and meet him. 'Tis dreadful to live in fear of everybody— even this lady—and yet her manner was kind and gentle.
What a precious dinner—and such wine!
Hallo, my little neighbour!
Why, you're not going to faint, are you ?
No, sir, but I—
When I came into your room just now, why you screamed out like a mincing lady.
Sir—I—that is, a man coming suddenly into one's room—
Why, I came to a man, didn't I ? I was going to ask you to dinner.
Sir, I don't dine!
Hey! don't dine ? Well, we'll sup together, then.
Sir, I never sup.
Don't sup! why, how the devil do you live, then ? But, my dear fellow—
Oh, sir, this is very wrong—this is shocking!
Hey?
What's the matter?
You have deceived me!
Me?
Me?
Yes, you—that is, I don't exactly know which, but one of you is a woman.
It's one of you. One's a lady—and here, the commandant threatens to close my house if I don't inform him instantly.
I'll run and—
Madame!
Yes—who told you ?
Heavens, woman! You've not had the assurance to open my—that is—
What do you mean by assurance ? In conveying the luggage up to the dressing room, one of the boxes flew open—
And there you saw—
I saw many things not generally worn by gentlemen.
I don't know who they belong to.
But I do.
To you—
Well, the commandant will soon find out which of you is to be taken back to the convent,
Then it's you?
What, then it's you ?
Me? Ha, ha, ha!
Ay, laugh away—but I shan't laugh when my house is closed. I'm very sorry, but interest before everything.
She's gone, the she dragon!
What will become of me ?
So, sir, you carry gowns and petticoats in your trunk ?
And I say, Ma'amselle Helen de Montbrun!
Confess!
Oh, be silent!
Not till you confess.
But how did you know—who told you ?
Colonel D'Aubreuil himself. I promised to protect you in his absence—he is now gone to seek
you.
Then he didn't receive my letter ?
The point is to save you until he returns—and he can't be long—I'll keep my word, and as you are here—
You will defend me ?
I'll die in your service.
Oh, sir! but you are not deceiving me—you know the colonel ?
I'm one of his intimate friends, Captain Sanspeur.
Captain Sanspeur ? Oh, heavens!
Hey?
You are lost!
Hey ? what did you say ? No jesting.
I am not jesting. Just now, a lady who took me for you, told me—
A lady? Was she pretty ?
She kept her face concealed.
And was looking for me. Well ?
She told me in confidence that Captain Sanspeur would be arrested, and taken to Paris.
The devil! Take me back to Paris ?
I wish I was in your place—it's much more desirable than being taken back to the Ursulines at Nancy.
The Ursulines, at Nancy ? I wish I were you.
At Paris the colonel could join me.
At the Ursulines I should be near her I love. Ha, I have it! We'll manage this business first. I'll borrow one of your dresses—we'll then await our enemies—they can't be very formidable. They'll question—I am Ma'amselle Helen de Montbrun—and then drive on, coachman, to the Ursulines, at Nancy.
And I—
You're Captain Sanspeur, just come from Paris—a young fellow with a little assurance, and plenty of wit.
But do you think you'll be mistaken for a young lady with that air ?
Why not ? I'll do as you did just now—look on the ground, take small steps—
Ha, ha, ha! Bravo, Captain!
Very well, indeed!
And you—you must be firm. Don't betray,yourself, and show the timidity of a boarding-school miss.
Not worth a curse !
Oh, I shall be frightened—I know I shall!
Not a bit. Now forward—just observe me a little. There!
Do you think I shall do?
Not quite. You must carry a snuff box.
I haven't one.
Take mine. Now then, once more.
Ha, ha! capital! Now swear a little. We all swear like troopers in Paris.
Oh, dear!
Think of the convent.
I do. Hem !
Now, then, courage! I must be a man. Oh, dear, it's very awkward!
Ah, a young man ! From what Thibaut says, this must be my prisoner.
I beg pardon, but I am the commandant of Verdun, and I—I am looking for a young girl.
More shame for you, at your age.
You misunderstand me. A young girl, who—
Well, sir, what the devil's that to me ?
And when I saw you, I thought—
Well, sir, what did you think ?
Snuff ! Do you take snuff ?
Helen; We snuff considerably in Paris,
But—
Well, you were saying you thought—
That the young girl was—
Was— Ha, ha, ha !
You. Ha, ha, ha!
Me ? Ha, ha, ha!
Ha, ha, ha!
I—sir—I—
Oh, my lord governor, I beg you—
Don't be- alarmed—they won't be hurt.
Oh, governor!
Well, my friend, what of the young gentleman?
Up stairs, in her apartment. You will be gentle ?
Of course, to a woman. Lead me to her.
Captain, if you please.
Sanspeur?
The same.
Captain Sanspeur, I have the honour to-
Sir, I have the honour to—
Go along, woman !
There, that's the man, I knew it—I always said so.
I'm the Governor of Verdun, and this order compels me to arrest you on the frontier.
The devil it does !
Thank you.
To the Bastille.
Hey?
Sir, you shall be treated with every consideration.
But suppose, after all, I am not the man ?
In that case you can produce your papers.
My papers ?
Hey ?
Allow me—I was not rude—I am incapable of rudeness to a lady.
Duty, indeed! Now only hear— {tete-a-tete} with her looking glass— when
this person—
Oh, count, I—
Shameful conduct, sir.
No, no—I tell you I waited.
Oh, count!
Horrible ! shameful!
No, no—I spoke gently—kindly. I had a duty to fulfil. I could have no doubt, for I found this letter on the mantel-piece, addressed to Ma'amselle Helen de Montbrun.
Sir, I tell you—
That's right. Here are papers—
In my apartment ?
On your table—that is, on my table ?
On your table.
No, no, lady, we are no Turks!
We will give you time to rest yourself, before you are taken back to the Convent of the Ursulines.
No, no! never saw her before.
Oh, heavens! oh, dear! Most shameful! To the convent?
I tell you I'll go directly.
The duchess!
Madame, I—
Dear me! what's the matter ?
How do you find yourself now ?
I hope you are better, lady.
Better? Yes, much better, I thank you.
But you can't go to-night in this state of weakness.
No, nor I won't go—
Then let it be to-morrow,
Your house? And you live alone, perhaps,
Pray be calm.
Come, come, the young lady is quite right. You shall be a prisoner in my house.
Yes, that will be best.
As for the captain, it would not be so convenient to have him there.
And he can't object to pass the night with the count.
Come, we will go at once.
How very strange it is! but that young girl's look is continually before me. When my
husband, who would not leave her for a moment, offered to conduct her to her apartment, she
pressed my hand, and looked at me so expressively, I could not help blushing. I'm sure she
wants to speak to me, perhaps about the captain, who appeared as though he didn't know me, and
yet has written me such passionate letters when I was at the convent,
Capital! ha, ha! Well, my dear, alone? Why, where is our fair guest?
I haven't seen her this morning.
She sleeps soundly—dreaming, no doubt, of her lover.
What do you mean ?
Hush! A secret, my dear, which I have discovered. I'm so clear sighted, you know. Captain Sanspeur, the count's guest—
Well?
He's over head and ears in love.
Indeed!
Yes, that's why he wanted to pass the frontier. He had a little favourite in a convent, and was going to finish the adventure by eloping with her. Ha, ha, ha !
Where did you hear—
Hey?
I mean, it's—it's a letter,
Pray go on.
There's no more,
What?
Why, this is the lovely girl, now our guest, who escaped from the convent, and arrived here to meet him.
Is it her he loves?
Why, who else should it be ?
Ma'amselle de Montbrun ? But it's nothing to me.
My lady, I—
What's the matter ?
I came for my lady's orders—she was going out this morning.
True, Babet, but I've changed my mind.
But Ma'amselle de Montbrun-have you been to her room?
No, no, sir!
And why not ? What are you waiting for ?
Until she rings, or calls, sir, as her door is locked. ,
True, true. She is a prisoner, and I placed the key of her apartment in a place of safety.
I'll fetch it, and then you can go to her.
Go to her ? oh dear!
Why, Babet, what's the matter ?
Nothing, my lady—only I don't like to go alone. She's got such a strange way of looking at one, and kissing one.
Did she kiss you?
Oh, so heartily—me and Rosina too; and then when she wished us good night, she squeezed my hand so hard.
And so she did mine.
Yes—and she told me you were a lovely creature, and that she'd give half her life to pass the other half with you.
Did she say that ?
And when I went to unlace her—oh, dear! how tight she does lace—she put down upon the toilette—
What?
A pistol!
A pistol ? how extraordinary! Well, what followed?
I don't know—I was so afraid, I ran away, and shut the door after me.
Though it's not so very strange—alone, in danger.
Here's the key.
What, my pretty prisoner !
But here's the key of your room. Why, how—
Nonsense!
Oh, yes, I did—it wasn't very strong. You don't seem very strong here in Verdun. And then what would one not do to be nearer—
To whom ?
And then last night, as you saw me to my room, you said such things to me, that—
The Duke did?
Oh, no, no!
Yes, you did—you made me blush, and you sighed, as you pressed my hand, so!
Oh, nonsense—don't believe it.
Me? I—
It's all a joke. But, seriously, I'm vexed you had no one to assist you at your toilette!
Oh, I can manage very well without a valet.
A what ?
What, did you say ?
Hey ? what's the matter ?
You said you managed very well without a valet.
I said—
Yes, you said valet!
Oh, I know. In the convent we always called 'anything old and ugly a valet—only ask her
ladyship,
Oh, dear ! how you both look at me.
Ha, ha ! we have been reading a letter, by which we have discovered your secret; Captain Sanspeur—
Well, what of him ?
You love him !
And he loves you!
Me ? oh, true!
But tell us now your motive for coming to Verdun !
I came in search of happiness !
What did they make you unhappy at Nancy ?
They wished to marry you!
Yes, to one I could not love.
But we should love everybody!
No, no, not everybody!
Oh, yes, that's what they teach us in the convent— to love all men as brothers—but a husband isn't a brother.
Very true!
He must be loved as a husband!
Very true!
Yes, and he must not be jealous!
Very true!
And he must be young!
Very true!
Hem! Come, yon forget it's time for breakfast.
I am not very well this morning, and shall not join the breakfast; but if your lady will be
so good as to make me a cup of tea here—
Hush!
Come, my dear, order it at once.
I'll do so.
Your wife! you know you would betray her, if I would listen to you ?
You are so bewitching!
Silence, you traitor!
Well, I own I can't be in the presence of a pretty woman without—
The captain will depart to-day. You won't regret him—a mere boy—I ain't a boy. Ha, ha, ha!
No, you ain't! ha, ha, ha!
This way—this way, my dear sir. How do you do, my lord? I've brought you my prisoner!
Not well—and you, Captain!
He? he didn't sleep at all—and more, wouldn't let me sleep!
I had a bed prepared for him in a room next to mine, but I couldn't get any rest. First he wanted supper—
Well, I was hungry !
We had supper, and then he wanted to make me drunk!
Ha, ha! better still!
He kept filling my glass, and offering me snuff!
How could I sleep ? He kept walking about the room, moving the furniture about, drawing the curtains, and opening the windows. Egad, I think he's a sleep walker.
Here, ma'amselle!
My lord, breakfast is ready.
Very well, Count. Captain, will you join us ?
Me? why, I—
Come, gentlemen.
I will attend her.
Ha!
They are gone at last!
Madam!
Pray be seated, if you are not well.
I'm better now we are alone !
Do you take sugar, ma'amselle ?
I must speak to you!
As you said—but can I hear you ?
Why, what have you to fear from one of your own sex?
True!
I would speak of—
Captain Sanspeur ?
Then you know—
Yes, that is, no—but I fear—
He is in love—deeply in love!
With you ?
With me ?
Then you read them !
No—I—
Come, you may confide in me, a woman. You read one, two, or three ?
I don't remember.
Oh, yes, you do. And you were pleased with them— with the love he expressed so ardently.
Oh, his love was all falsehood!
Oh, do not believe it, when, to punish him for having endeavoured to see you, he was compelled to quit Nancy He returned to Versailles—melancholy, despairing, ill. Every one believed he would die away from the spot which contained his heart—you, perhaps, unknown to all, thought of him, and in your heart recalled him.
Me? but—
When summoned to join his regiment, he saw all his comrades decorated with the colours of
those they loved—he swore he would obtain those of Marguerite. Your name is Marguerite,
I was no longer there.
Judge of his surprise, his joy, when he found her he had never ceased to love, at Verdun !
He had quite forgotten me.
He lived for you alone.
And yet, but now, he was here, and didn't deign to look at me.
Suppose the count's prisoner was not Captain Sans- peur ?
What say you ?
If, to deceive your husband, who is undeserving such a treasure, and to blind the count, who is but a fool, he had lent his name to Ma'amselle de Montbrun, who was waiting for her lover—
Heavens!
And to be near you, he had assumed the dress of a woman—
Ha!
You ?
Oh, let me tell you—
Madame, I —
Babet!
No—stay!
Yes, I—
My husband!
The duke!
The devil!
This way—this way!
I've come to tell you—
Yes, when one doesn't expect—
Yes, when one doesn't expect—
Oh, dear ! I'm so nervous!
There is some one waiting to speak to you. Colonel D'Aubreuil—
Oh, how my legs shake!
Helen!
Why, what's the matter ?
She will faint.
I'll run!
You had better cut her stay lace.
This is Captain Sanspeur.
Captain—
Sanspeur.
Ah, Captain Sanspeur. Who the devil did you take me for?
And the captain—
Hey—what did you say? The count?
Yes, a very kind gentleman, who paid him every attention.
But now I have once again found Ma'amselle de Montbrun, my betrothed—
You will no longer detain your prisoners.
I must give up the young lady to the count, who will re-conduct her to the convent.
Good news for me, sir?
An order from King Stanislaus,
Heavens!
On the contrary, he awaits her presentation at his court, as the wife of Colonel D'Aubreuil.
This very day. He forgives your imprudence, on condition the marriage is celebrated immediately.
The young lady appears to be the only party indifferent to the arrangement.
Marry the colonel? Why, I—
Truly, I—
My orders are to witness the ceremony, and not to free the lady until it is done,
And you, my dear Marguerite, shall place it in her bosom.
I ? No, I would rather not take part in the ceremony. I cannot approve of the proceeding, and beg I may be troubled no more, by any of the parties.
Madame, I—
Well, I'll go and see everything ready in the chapel.
Well, it seems they insist on my marriage with the captain!
Ha, ha! I've made a conquest of the old husband, too'
Well, I shall take off these things—they are dreadfully uncomfortable!
Only think of my waist.
Well, we must decide at once.
One moment. A word may awaken the husband's suspicious.
Oh, nonsense! all about this boasted ribbon.
I'll have it yet, or the devil's in it!
I beg pardon—I was sent to say all's ready for the bride's toilette.
Oh dear!
Who, the soldier ?
In her apartment. She has shut herself in, and will see no one.
My dear D'Aubreuil, it is time an end was made of this masquerading. I am positively weary; and beside, all will soon be discovered!
But then, Sanspeur may be compromised. Consider, if the duke knew—
What he must eventually discover. Besides, I'm tired of playing the man—sick of snuff-taking, and these abominable habiliments.
Already ? I am glad to hear it, for then you will have no wish to resume them after
marriage, and yet,
Take care you don't flatter me into a love for them.
As I live, here comes the duke, and with a face full of news and importance.
Oh, captain, I was looking for you. An officer has just arrived, and brought an order for you to repair to head quarters instantly.
To head quarters!
Yes, where the king's household troops have joined Marshal Saxe.
And he is to repair to head quarters !
Decidedly so.
And I must go to-morrow!
You must go to-day—this moment. Your new uniform has arrived.
Indeed!
Yes, it's beautiful—elegant! I gave orders it should be brought to you.
I have not seen it!
And then there's your horse—
My horse!
Ah, such a superb animal! bright chestnut, with a white star on his forehead. A perfect beauty! I fancy I see you on him. Come, you must mount immediately.
Mount—mount immediately !
Mount?
Egad, when I was your age, I should have been all on fire. A new uniform—a splendid charger—promotion in the present, and glory in the perspective.
You are right, my lord. Captain, I beg to congratulate you.
Ay, and to-morrow you will be at the head of your regiment.
Shall I!
Ay?
Come, I am anxious to see you depart !
Come, sir, I attend you! I'm all anxiety to see you mount!
Hush, for Heaven's sake!
This is too much! Whatever feeling I might have had for one who professed so much, is now
obliterated for ever. My husband's suspicions will be aroused, and though innocent in deed or
thought, that will be enough to embitter our already ill-assorted union.
Leave me, sir—leave me. To enter thus at my chamber window—
Forgive the stratagem which I used to be near you once again. I have your secret, Marguerite. You love me!
Sir!
You owned it here, and if I am wrong, that avowal must plead my excuse.
Oh, I was mad—I did not know—
And now you know me, will you refuse me a talisman that will protect me in battle, and lead me back victorious ? That ribbon—but as a remembrance—
Never!
Never ? then farewell. My life without your love is useless. I shall need no talisman in death.
Die! you ?
Farewell!
Captain, I—
Do you call me back ?
No, I don't think I did I
Oh, yes, you did !
I—I? If it were known you were here—near me— that you had dared to— You are right—my husband is jealous.
If you will allow me but to hope that I may see you again—
Oh, I am not free! I cannot tell—I— No, no— never!
Marguerite!
Oh, madame—
Heavens!
How?
I heard it all from my window. They were forcing the little gentleman on horseback, when the colonel cried out that he was Ma'amselle de Montbrun. "Impossible," said the marquis—"she's in my house." "No," says the colonel. "that's the captain !" and then the duke got in such a passion, and was coming here directly, but the colonel prevented him.
But he will come.
He will kill me. I care not, since you refuse—
Since it is to save your life.
Farewell!
Not that way—he'll see you!
This, then !
No, no, that's my room.
Oh, he's here!
Which way ?
Mercy on us!
You will kill yourself!
Oh!
Here, and alone !
She's coming to.
But the young—
This comes of your letting people into your house you know nothing of. While I was here with my lady—
No, no, sir, not a minute. The young lady, Ma'amselle de Montbrun came in, and threw herself at her feet—
At her feet?
Yea, sir, and confessed she was a man in disguise, and begged my lady to let her escape.
Are you sure that was all ?
I leave you to guess my lady's terror, sir. She fainted, and I screamed, and then she—that is—he went away, and left us all of a tremble, as you see.
No more than you did, when you wrote notes to this supposed young lady.
Hush! hold your tongue, you hussey !
My dear, I solemnly declare—
Come, colonel, everything is ready. My lord, I have come for your prisoner, the bride.
My prisoner, the bride ? ha, ha, ha !
Hey ! what's the matter ?
The matter! I understand now why your prisoner opened the windows, and moved the furniture about. Why, he was a woman. Ha, ha, ha!
A woman force me to drink and snuff? Oh, nonsense!
Ma'amselle Helen de Montbrun consents to wed Colonel D'Aubreuil. Count, here is the bride. My lord Duke, I renounce my intention of crossing the frontier.
Yes, yes. When the lady was at my house—
Ha, ha ! and you didn't guess?
The captain was at yours,
Sir, 'tis I who should ask you why.
Oh, by-the-bye, I've a letter of yours to return.