Armand/Act I

by Anna Cora Mowatt

ACT I

SCENE I

A beautiful part of the Garden of Versailles. Fountain of Neptune with statues.

Le Sage walking about as though musing.

Le Sage

Solve me this problem, Le Sage, if thou canst. Why should the Duke d'Antin occupy his thoughts with a young peasant? Why so earnestly desire that his majesty should behold her ? Unquestionably there is a mystery; indubitably a mystery ! But thou shall solve it, Le Sage! Thou hast a head, incontestibly a head, unqualifiedly a wise head, undoubtedly a head that sees.

Enter Duke D'Antin, L. 1 E.

D'Ant

Better than your eyes, I trust, Le Sage.

Le Sage.

Pardon, your Grace. Indisputably I did not observe you.

D'Ant

I am all impatience to learn what took place last evening.

Le Sage

Your Grace shall hear. Preparatively I need not inform your Grace that, obeying your orders, I made myself acquainted with Dame Babette, down at the village, St. Denis, yonder. Instantaneously I discovered that your Grace had been rightly informed, and that the Duke de Richelieu frequently visits the dame's cottage in the garb of a citizen. Unsuspiciously the dame calls him Monsieur Antoine.

D'Ant

All this I know; proceed.

Le Sage

Voluntarily!

D'Ant

You talked to the dame and her young charge of these charming gardens, as 1 ordered?

Le Sage

I painted the beauties of Versailles with the hand of an artist and the tongue of a poet! Mam'selle Blanche was enchanted. Courteously I promised to obtain her and the dame an admission ; accordingly, yesterday evening at dusk, when the garden was wholly deserted, I conducted them to this very spot. Secretly I then dispatched Victor to the King. Insinuatingly he suggested to his Majesty, that a miraculously lovely young peasant girl had, with a very talkative old woman, inexplicably obtained admission to his private gardens, and was wandering about in iecstatically rustic delight.

D'Ant

Go on, go on.

Le Sage

Immediately!

D'Ant

Did he come ? Did he see her?

Le Sage

Certainly. His Majesty was unsuspectedly dying of ennui. Involuntarily he revived at the thought of an adventure, prudentially wrapped himself in a cloak, and unreflectingly hastened to the garden.

D'Ant

And then, then he joined the peasants?

Le Sage

Indubitably.

D'Ant

They did not suspect that he was the king?

Le Sage

Incontestibly not.

D'Ant

He was fascinated with Blanche?

Le Sage

Indescribably!

D'Ant

He became joyous, elated, excited?

Le Sage

Extraordinarily!

D'Ant

Blanche was gay, artless, piquante?

Le Sage

Superlatively!

D'Ant

Hush! Victor comes this way. (crossing R.) Question him closely. This evening you shall have further directions. Be cautious. (Exit R. 1 E.)

Le Sage

Invariably!

Enter VICTOR, L. 1 E

Victor

Ah! Monsieur Le Sage, we are charmed to encounter you.

Le Sage

Delightedly I salute his Majesty in miniature.

Victor

If you reflect on our size, Monsieur Le Sage, we would inform you--

Le Sage

That it is immeasurably beneath my notice. -A particularly correct and pungently philosophical conclusion. But, Monsieur Victor, a word concerning the young peasant, who yesterevening-

Victor

Ah! You touch us nearly when you talk of her! Our love for the "illusive sex" for such we deem them- is our Achilles' heel- our vulnerable point! His Majesty, like ourself, has been cold for a season; but once more the intoxicating effect of the tender passion has overpowered us.In a word, his Majesty is pleased with this young piece of incarnate loveliness, we may say charmed.

Enter King and Richelieu. L. 3 E.

In a word, his Majesty is pleased with this young piece of incarnate loveliness,- we may say charmed.

King

Boy, thou art overbold to speak of this

To other than ourselves. Away, and be

The answer to our wish when next you seek

Our presence. Go! You comprehend us, sir?

Victor and Le Sage make a low obeisance.

Exeunt Victor and Le Sage, L. u. E.

Here, Richelieu, is the consecrated spot

Where I beheld her first. Here would I raise

An altar, sacred,- not to love, (no rood

Within our kingdom but were meet for that.)

Be this to first impressions dedicated!

Rich

My liege ! I'm all impatience to behold the wondrous beauty -

King

I said not beauty - it was not what men

Call beauty, that has thus enthralled my soul;

It was the spirit's loftier loveliness,

Unseen,- ethereal, and ineffable!

Which breathed from her pure lips - gave to her step

Its springing bound - her every movement lent

Its airy grace - pervaded her whole being -

Impregnated the air that kissed her robe,

And with an atmosphere of purity

Encircled her! King. The wondrous beauty - nay!

It was her voice whose music

No sorrow yet had touched - her childlike prattle,

By very artlessness made arch - her form,

Untortured to its light fragility

By court accessories of beauty's toilet -

Her affluent tresses, flowing unprofaned

By touch of mocking powder, which had lain

Upon their golden light, like fleecy clouds

Upon the sun!

Rich

Now, heaven be thanked, my liege! No rhapsody so warm hath passed your lips a twelvemonth! Dullness ends her weary reign. 'Tis plain this young enchantress will dethrone her.

King

In sooth, she shall! Richelieu, my friend, be

With speed let this new constellation shine

Upon our court. - Some noble dame select,

Beneath her high protection place this maid.

Nor rank, nor title shall she lack, to gild

Her lowly origin -

Enter Victor, L. u. E.

Vic

your pardon, sire; the old woman -

King

What! is she come ? Conduct her hither.

Exit VICTOR, L. o. E.

Now, Richelieu, use but your wonted skill, and we are once more your debtor.

Rich

Sire, you have but to speak - to wish, and though she were some chaste inhabitant of the moon,

Enter Victor, ushering Dame Babette, L. u. E. Exit Victor, L. u. E.

the vestal dweller of some star, she should exchange its light for - (Sees the Dame and starts back greatly moved.) Heavens! Babette!

King

Why do you stare so? You don't mistake this curious relic of antiquity for the fair one who holds me in thraldom?

Rich

Not exactly - that is, precisely - I thought so! - that is, I never thought so. If it were but my own fancy that bad conjured up this spectre! (half aside.)

King

Spectre ? You are dreaming. The old lady appears to us in a remarkably substantial condition.

Bab

(glancing nervously at the King and away againwhile she talks) I'm all over in a flutter. I suppose its my place to speak first, though I never talk. I see they feel just as frightened as I do. Dear me! how they stare, to be sure. If Blanche was only here, she'd wonder at the observation that some people sometimes attract. (After an effort), Gentlemen, I hope I do not confuse you. I'm really quite alarmed myself, before such well-dressed cavaliers. I was sent for here, but I say nothing, I never talk, as everybody knows. I was sent for, that's all - I don't know why, so shall not say. (King retires up, she crosses to Richelieu.) If you could inform me, Sir, for I'm but a poor woman - I live down at the village yonder - (As she is speaking the last words she looks very intently at Richelieu and gradually recognizes him.) Blessed Mother! it is Monsieur Antoine!

Rich

(aside to her) Silence, fool!

Bab

Silence, forsooth! as if I ever talk! Ah, Monsieur Antoine, to think of finding you here and dressed so grand.

Rich

Hush!

King

(who has come forward attracted by Babette's exclamation) Why, Richelieu, the old dragon seems to have recognized a friend!

Bab

Richelieu? Hey, what ? Richelieu! (Richelieu silences her by an action.) Oh! I say nothing!

Rich

(crosses c.) Quite a ridiculous affair - ha, ha! (trying to laugh) The old gentlewoman - ha, ha! She actually fancies she has traced a likeness between me, and some relation who died in the last century, sire!

Bab

Sire! sire? His Majesty? Oh blessed Mary? Holy St. Dennis! And last night I talked in such a way - that is, I said nothing - I never talk - what will become of me? (falling on her knees.) Pardon - your Majesty - pardon! I did not know you - I never suspected you! And was it you last evening that - Oh, pardon! pardon!

King

Nonsense, my good woman; your breach of decorum will not put your head in jeopardy.

Bab

Oh ! I hope not, your Majesty, (rising). Holy St. Anthony! My neck has grown quite stiff at the thought!

King

We leave you with the duke who will communicate our commands. (Exit. R. 2 E.

Bab

Duke? Oh! Monsieur Antoine, are you a duke! And such a familiar way as I've treated you this many a year. If you will only condescend to pardon me! (falling upon her knees again.

Rich

A truce to this folly. Rise and listen to me, Dame, for on your implicit obedience hangs your future welfare - perhaps your life.

Bab

Life! life! Oh! Surely you won't kill me? Monsieur Antoine - I mean your Grace, consider my years - Mercy! Mercy! Oh my poor neck will be stiff for a year!

Rich

Be silent, and listen. You were walking last evening in these gardens with Blanche, - by what unlucky chance you came here - by what strange means obtained admission, I have not time to learn. The King saw Blanche - is enamored of her - desires that she shall be presented at court.

Bab

Blessed Mary! what an honor! and I - his Majesty saw me too - of course his most gracious Majesty expects me to be presented also? Oh ! I'm in such a flutter - how shall I live through it?

Rich

Are you determined to distract me ? Blanche -

Bab

I understand - I understand - she is to be presented at court.

Rich

She shall die first?

Bab

Hey? what? die!

Rich

Yes, die!

Bab

Well, your Highness, I say nothing. But little Blanche! To see her in her grave! And after all the fine learning you have given her! And to have her miss being presented at court too! Why she always walked and talked - yes, when she was but two years old she walked like a queen and since the King, his gracious Majesty, has so graciously looked upon her.

Rich

Ay! - he has looked on her! And that one look has like a flash of scathing lightning blasted her whole existence! (crosses to R. H.

Bab

Well now I can't understand where's the harm.

Rich "Listen, Babette. The King has commissioned me to conduct Blanche to the palace - to-morrow evening is the latest moment to which I can postpone his orders - she must be saved from the profanation even of his suit, and the energy of my will alone can save her. You, and you only, can aid me - you must, you shall aid me! Tomorrow morning at your cottage I will communicate my project, and I warn you that I shall exact the most implicit obedience.

Bab

And Blanche won't be presented at court? Nor I neither? My lord Duke, I to refuse such an honor! An honor that would make half the village die with envy!

Enter R. 2 E. King aknd Duke D'Antin.

Rich

(seizing her by the arm) Fool! I tell you that Blanche never - never - (sees the King - suddenly releases Babette, and changes his tone and manner) never should refuse such a - such a distinguishing mark of his Majesty's favor.

Bab

There now, that's just what I said, your highness, and you would not listen to me. Just what I was telling him, your Majesty! Such an honor for us both. I am ready to expire at the very thought! When Dame Barbara knows it - but I say nothing - nobody shall hear it from me.

King

Why, Duke, this is a novel mode of proceeding. It seems you were executing our orders by force of arms!

Rich

Your Majesty is facetious. This droll old woman - ha, ha, ha! I can't help laughing at her tenacity - having conscientious scruples, she refused -

Bab

I? I refused? Refuse such an honor ? Oh! your Majesty -

Rich

(aside to her) Another word and it shall cost you dear!

Bab

Oh! dear! how fierce Monsieur Antoine has grown since he became a Duke!

King

There is some enigma here!

D'Antin

Which your Majesty may find diversion in solving, (aside to him.

Rich

Dame Babette, you will remember the directions you have received, and to-morrow -

Bab

Then your mind is changed? - you consent? - and to-morrow we shall have the honor - such an honor - Oh! your Grace, when you forbade me just now, I felt -

King

Forbade you? Why, Richelieu, is the old woman mad?

Rich

I believe so, sire. - I really believe so! - There,you are at liberty to go. That way - that way. (trying to lead her towards the entrance, she takes a step or two and persists in turning back.

Bab

Oh! I have not saluted his gracious Majesty! (breaks away from Richelieu, and curtsies low to the King) I wouldn't have your Majesty think me wanting in manners - when I am to be presented at court too. Such an honor! You see, Monsieur Antoine - that is, his highness - I can't help calling him Monsieur Antoine, on account -

Rich On account of the likeness. His Majesty knows - you tire his Majesty. Go! go! [trying to force her away

Bab

The likeness? What likeness? I beg pardon for fatiguing your Majesty. I was only going to say -

Rich

(still forcing her) His Majesty does not desire to hear. Go, go.

Bab

I am gone, soon as I have made my salute. (breaking from him, she curtsies again to the King, crosses, and going, returns.) The other grand-looking old gentleman - I have not made my reverence to him yet. Oh! I'll show them breeding, now that I am to be presented at court! (approaches Duke D'Antin and curtsies low.

Rich

Dame -

King

Nay, Richelieu, we are amused at her vagaries.

Rich

Oh, Sire ! I see you are much annoyed. Are you coming ? (to Babette.

Bab

But his Majesty says he is amused, and -

Rich

Come, come I say ! (Forcing her.

D'Ant

But Richelieu -

King

But Richelieu -

Bab

His Majesty says he is amused!

Rich

Come! Come!

King and D'Antin exit r. Richelieu forcing out Babette, L. who endevers to return

End of ACT 1