Armand/Act IV

by Anna Cora Mowatt

ACT IV

SCENE I

Room in an Hotel in Paris. Babette and Jaqueline.

Bab

Well, here we are in Paris again. Out of that old gloomy convent at last!

Jaq

Only to think of Mam'selle Blanche managing to get us all free, though she did take five years about it. Now how did she contrive to do that?

Bab

By talking, child; it was all done by talking.Ah! she has a tongue could wheedle an angel out of its - wings; though, for my part, I think it best to be silent.

Jaq

Why would she come to Paris? I'm sure I wouldn't have.

Bab

That's her affair. You know she will have her own way, and does with us all just what she pleases. She heard that the King was holding his court in Paris, and thought that her father, the Duke de Richelieu - Oh, dear, to think that the father of our little Blanche should be a Duke! what an honor, though he did shut her up in a convent, and made all the villagers believe that she was dead - well, she thought the Duke, her father, must be in Paris too, so she chose to come here. And do you know that Blanche has written twice to the Duke and told him where we are.

Jaq

Perhaps the letters won't reach him! I hope they won't.

Bab

Won't they though ? One of them will reach him sure enough, for whom do you think I gave it to this very morning ? - But no matter, I shan't say anything about it.

Jaq

Well don't, mother, for its all one, if the letter is sure to reach him. That's the very way to make her tell all about it. [aside.

Bab

Reach him ? Why, Monsieur Le Sage said he'd put it in the Duke's own hands. I came upon our old friend, Le Sage, all of a sudden, just in front of this very house. And how glad the good man was to see me! so I told him all our adventures. Jaq. Well don't, mother, for its all one, if the letter is sure to reach him. That's the very way to make her tell all about it. [aside.

Jaq

What! You told him everything?

Bab

That is, I told him nothing. He asked me a hundred questions - but I never talk, so I said nothing.

Jaq

Hark! There is a knock.

Bab

Oh, dear! oh, dear! it is the Duke himself. What shall I do ? My neck grows so stiff again, just as it always does when I think of him.

Jaq

Nonsense, mother - don't be afraid of him - I wouldn't. And I'm sure he can't alarm Mam'selle Blanche very easily.

Bab

That's true, send her here, for I shall never have courage to face him.

Jaq

But I would! so would Mam'selle Blanche; you'll see how quietly she'll look at him. I'll warrant he'll be glad enough to look away - just wait till she comes! [Exit Jaqueline, R. 1 E.

Enter Duke of Richelieu, L. 1 E., Babette curtsies very low and looks much frightened.

Rich

So! it is indeed you, and you are here in Paris, in spite of all my precautions.

Bab

Well I believe it is I, your eminence - and I believe I am here - but it was all Mam'selle Blanche; you see, your highness. she can do what she pleases with everybody. I hope you won't blame me, for indeed -

Rich

Enough of this -how does Blanche?

Bab

Ah, very badly indeed - she pines for Armand night and day - but I forget, your highness does not know who Armand is.

Rich

Know him? I would to heaven I knew him not! The peasant-colonel! Villiers' aid de camp! The king's new favorite! fortune's chosen minion! No battle but Distinction and Success, Like unseen genii, wait upon his steps; Upon the field he saved his monarch's life, And when the king, too weakly generous, Would have ennobled him, the nameless peasant refused in scorn all title save the one his sword had won him. - Let him rise awhile The higher pinnacle, the greater fall!

Bab

O dear, O dear! what will Mam'selle Blanche say to all this?

Rich

Blanche say? Dare thou to breathe a single word of that my thoughtless folly has revealed, and in a dungeon's, not a convent's, walls, shall your next tale be told, (crosses R.) She's here, retire! [Exit Babette, L. 1 E.

enter Jaqueline, who exits with Babette.

Enter Blanche, R.

Blan

My lord Duke! [Pauses and looks at him. Nay, my father! can I choose but call thee by that name ? though in thy face too little of a father's fondness greets me!

Rich

Yield thou the meet obedience of a child, and all a father's fondness will requite it!

Blan

Command thou what a child's pure heart must leap to execute, and I will yield a child's obedience, with the meekness of a child.

Rich

What I have done was for thy surest good. Ay! for thy soul's best good!

Blan

My soul's best good! Was't for my soul's best good my tongue should mock the consecrated altar with a lie? Was't for my soul's best good my lips should breath a vow my heart refused? The holy oath which gave the thought, the hope, the love to heaven, which were no longer mine to give!

Rich

Daughter! Thy will opposed to mine is powerless!

Blan

My father, tempt me not to evil - think before you act! young blood is warm - young heads are rash - young hearts, convulsed like mine, are stubborn! When love - the soul's first love and last - the love no absence changes, and which time and sorrow chastise to strengthen - is too fiercely curbed, its passion breaks all other ties - defies all chances and all perils - leaps all barriers, that hold or part it from its idol - or dragged by a chain too mighty to the earth, the iron eats its slow and silent way into the soul - and then - we die - my father!

Rich

I know thy sex too well, girl, at its tears or wrath to change my purpose, - woman's grief is wind and rain one summer hour will end.

Blan

And canst thou thus the name of woman scorn, her holy mission lightly look upon; nor think that thy first sighs were soothed by her? thy first tears kissed away by woman's lips - thy first prayer taught thee at a woman's knee. - Thy childhood's blessings shower'd from woman's hand. - Thy manhood brightened by her watching smile. - Thy age must in her tenderness find prop. - And life's last murmurs may perchance burst forth where they began - upon a woman's breast?

Rich

I nor deny her virtues, nor her power To gild them with her tongue. But one word more Of Armand. Woman may be constant - when Was man? what wouldst thou think? how wouldst thou act If Armand's troth were plighted to another?

Blan

Another? Armand love and Armand wed another? No! the present could not thus belie the past! Yet is it true he thought - still thinks me dead; but death could only part, not disunite us! Armand love another - Oh wretch! to wrong his memory with the thought! Armand has not forgotten me -'tis false! Tell me 'tis false! and for the life you give me back, I'll bless thee more than for the life - I had at first from thee!

Rich

(In calmer tone) One question I would have thee answer - listen. If I could give thee proof unquestionable, Would'st thou the cloister seek of thy free will?

Blan

I would.

Rich

Swear that thou wilt!

Blan

There needs no oath.I know not falsehood, father.

Rich

I believe thee. To night I will return - remember thou thy words - tonight! Exit L. 1. E.

Blan

Armand! was it for this for five long years I hoped - for this I bore with patient trust the ills fate heaped upon me! For this I would not wrong thee by a doubt! All - all for this - this hour of agony! (weeping upon a couch, and after a pause rises calmly.) Let me not murmur at thy high decrees, all-wise, all-watching, and all-guarding Heaven! I know no withered leaflet falls to earth. - No blade of grass bursts from its sheath of green; - No grain of sand is swallowed by the wave - unnoted by that ruling Providence that guides the universe, yet stoops to clothe the flower with beauty! And from seeming ills works out our truest, most enduring good! Oh! then while grass, and sand, and leaf are cared for, how shall a mortal doubt thy guardianship!" Then break not heart! The will of Heaven be thine!

Enter Jaqueline, L. 1 E.

Jaq

Oh! Mademoiselle Blanche! there's such a handsome young man waiting to speak to you - he has a letter to deliver, and he says, he will only give it into your own hands - I hope you'll see him - I'm sure I would!

Blan

A letter, and for me, yes, let him enter ?

Jaq

Oh! I'm so glad you will see him - that's just - what I would have done - and he's such a charming little creature. [Exit L. 1 E

Blan

Whence should he come? I have no friends in Paris.

Enter Jaqueline with Victor, L. 1 E.

Jaq

Oh! the beautiful little fellow! I hope she'll listen to him! I know I would! [Exit L. 1 E.

Vic

Most lovely recluse, pardon our intrusion, and pardon us, that we rejoice in this opportunity of performing our mission with becoming privacy.

Blan

I think you have a letter for me, Sir?

Vic

We have a letter to deliver and a reply to learn.

Blan

Will't please you, Sir, to let me see the letter?

Vic

We intend to do so forthwith - but haste is most uncourtier like - and you perceive that we are of the Court!

Blan

I should like much to see the letter, Sir.

Vic

It never yet has been our study to gainsay the wishes of the "illusive sex," of which our judgment now pronounces you the fairest, and your impatience thus we gratify. [very pompously presents letter.

Blan

(reading aside.) One who would serve you - one who learnt by chance your history, writes these lines -perils unseen are threat'ning you - the King alone can save you. I consent to meet the page who brings you this at sunset at the Tuilleries eastern gate. It is the custom of his Majesty to walk within his garden at that horn; The page will bring you to his presence - all the rest lies with yourself. A Friend. The King. Yes, he alone can save me from the cloister, can give me back to Armand - Armand - whom I still think, true! young Sir, I pray you thank the writer of these lines - I'll do his bidding.

Vic

We congratulate you on this wise decision, and with regret must now take our hasty leave. [Exit bowing very low, L. l E.

Blan

All thanks to thee, kind Heaven! for once again my path is clear! The King, the King, shall guard me! [Exit L. H. 1 E.

SCENE II

Garden of the Tuilleries, at sunset.

Enter King followed by Victor, L. u. E.

King

Well, boy, what would'st thou from our bounty now?

Vic

My Liege, the boon I crave - [trumpet without.

King

What trumpet's that?

Vic

News from the seat of war, methinks; the bearer -

King

Armand himself!

Enter Armand hastily, L. u. E., kneels to the King, and presents dispatches.

Arm

Pardon, my gracious Liege, that I appear thus hastily before thee! Good tidings should have wings, to race the wind. Another victory!

King

Which could not wait for form thou think'st? Armand, our favor gives thee a license few would dare to use! (to Victor) Retire! [Exit VICTOR, L. u. E.] (reading despatches} Brave news - most glorious news! my gallant soldier! The victory was thine - the Marshal, says so - It earns thee once again the rank and title thou hast refused before!

Arm

My Liege, my sword hath won me all I covet or deserve! I would not that your favor - but my deeds should of my fortunes be the artizan!

King

But wherefore, Armand, wilt thou coldly spurn what others as their dearest birth-right prize?

Arm

And why, the trappings and the adjuncts vain with which the great enshroud themselves, to awe a gaping multitude, should I not scorn? Free thought - free will - the birth-right true of all - manhood, the universal heritage. - For them, nor for a million times their worth, I would not barter!

King

Must thou scorn for this, the rank and name which proud posterity might carve upon some lofty monument?

Arm

I ask no monument, save that which lives within the bosoms of my fellow men! No epitaph, save that which love inscribes upon their memories; no chronicle, save that the annals of my country show; Which, if I serve it, will enroll my name upon the page of honored history, where, alone, I could be proud to see it blazoned!

King

Well, be it so; and yet one wish I have thou need'st must grant, De Rohan's daughter loves thee; She's fair and rich, and virtuous. Seek her hand. Nor be a courtier since thou likest it not, yet hold an honored station in our court.

Arm

My liege, I cannot wed - once hath my heart in all the glow of its first warmth been given! Years have rolled by since Blanche hath pass'd away. - In life's arena I have stood alone - and wrestled on - and welcomed each new day that led me closer to the grave - that porch which opens on the palace of my joy!

King

Beware! our patience is not made of stuff too lasting - try it not beyond its strength - marry De Rohan's daughter! 'Tis thy King commands!

Arm

My gracious liege, no King can tear the land-marks from the honest path of Truth. Marry! call'st thou that marriage which but joins two hands with iron bonds? that yokes, but not unites, two hearts whose pulses never beat in unison? The legal crime that mocks the very name of marriage - that invades - Profanes - destroys its inner holiness? No! 'tis the spirit that alone can wed, When with spontaneous joy it seeks and finds, and with its kindred spirit blends itself! My liege, there is no other marriage tie! [Enter Victor with Blanche veiled, and Jaqueline following, L. u. E.

King

This daring is beyond endurance - nay, beyond belief. Since you reject our grace, beware our wrath! retire. [Armand exits L,. 1 E.] This stubborn boy no more shall thwart our wishes! [Victor advances with Blanche, R. H.

Vic

Sire, we should not - I should not have dared thus to intrude upon your privacy, but for the fair excuse I bring. Your Majesty has but to behold it, and we are - that is, I am secure of pardon.

King

Excuse, that takes so soft a shape brings with it the pardon that it asks. Leave us. [Victor pompously presents his arm to Jaqueline, exeunt L. 2. E.] Now lady, We pray thee speak - what wouldst thou have of Louis?

Blan

Perchance too much, my liege, for you to grant. Too little, it may be, for my great wants!

King

Speak freely then - what wouldst thou ask?

Blan

Protection! Protection against one of rank so high no hand but thine could reach him - could save me!

King

His name?

Blan

Richelieu, thy favorite, and my father!

King

Thy father! can it be! has Richelieu then a child! I pray thee, let my hand remove the jealous veil that clouds thy brow. [Blanche raises her veil] Great heaven! What sorcery is this ? I know that face, or it hath visited my dreams, - or else it is - must be - how like, how changed! - and yet how like! What spell hath conjured up the dead?

Blan

Chance words, that strangely suit this stranger chance! For she who with these warm and living lips pleads to thee here, is dead to all who loved her best. Within a village churchyard lies an humble stone that bears her name - and yet she stands before you!

King

And that name was?

Blan

Blanche

King

Oh! cheat me not enraptured eyes! deceive me not too happy ears! 'tis Blanche herself! Blanche whom I saw - Blanche whom I mourned as dead! Ah! Richelieu hath wrought this, and bitterly shall Richelieu rue it! Blanche is mine, and mine in spite of fate! (aside.) Lady, this is no time, no place to hear or to redress thy wrongs. The Duke de Rohan's chateau yonder stands, there will I place thee underneath the care of his mostgentle duchess - let us haste. [As the King advances impetuously to seize the hand of Blanche, she draws back.

Blan

My liege, I follow thee. [King recovers himself, crosses and bows. Exeunt R. I.E.

Enter Jaqueline, Babette, Richelieu, and Armand hastily, L. u. E.

Rich

Where is she?

Jaq

This is the very place, but I don't see her at all!

Arm

She lives! she lives! she walks the earth! I may behold her - once more clasp her to my heart! Alive! Oh! let me not grow mad with joy! [crosses R.

Rich

Thy frenzy may have bitterer cause ere long! Where is she ? Woman, speak. Where is my child?

Bab

Oh, your eminence! I knew nothing about it. It was all Jaqueline.

Arm

Jaqueline, good girl, speak thou - where is my Blanche?

Jaq

Oh! I'll speak, Monsieur Armand; I'll tell you everything, for Blanche never loved any body as she loves you, and so I love you too. A beautiful little page brought her here, and she made me come with her; then shewas talking with a spendidly-dressed cavalier, and the page said, it was the King!

Rich

The King! Ah then indeed, all's lost!

Arm

All's gained! She lives! and let Fate hide her where it will, the ample earth is all too small to part us! [Crosses R. and up c.

Bab

Ah! my lord Duke, it's all right, his Majesty -

Rich

Woman, away.

Bab

Oh, my poor neck! [Exit hastily with Jaqueline, R. 2 r.

Rich

(after pausing and looking at Armand,) Armand, I hated thee - had planned thy ruin - But yet I loved my child, and would have sold myself to slavery to have shielded her from Louis. Now, all feelings merge in one,that one the last! She lives - may live for thee. Find her, and she is thine! or if, when found, thou canst not from the royal libertine, defend her, save her as a Roman would.

Arm

Fear not - the King is but a man! A man with no more rights than I, when on my rights he dares to trench! And by that righteous heaven, which frowns upon this deed of infamy, I swear to snatch her taintless from his arms!

Rich

Find her, she's thine.

Arm

I will, or lose myself! [Exeunt hastily, Richelieu L., Armand R.

END OF ACT IV.