The Triple Marriage | Page 4

Don't I know that your father is a brute
who refuses to see my master--and that my master has a passion that
forces him to see you despite your father. Therefore, for that reason, it
follows--that my master must see you without your father seeing him.
And me, like a discreet confidant,--it follows that I must see you both
while seeing nothing. Go, children, profit by the opportunity. Two
make a party. Have a nice time together while I amuse myself with this
hussy.
Elizabeth Your valet makes me terribly nervous.
Manly Rogue! If you give me away, I will give you a hell of a beating
when we are outside-- I cannot live without seeing you, my dear
Elizabeth.
Jeremy Nor I, without kissing you, my dear Anna.
Manly I will enjoy the happiness heaven grants me now, knowing the
perfect felicity will be followed by a long period of sighing. But don't
make me worry for your life, that is the bounty that I beg on my knees.

Elizabeth Yes, I promise you, I'll be all right. Manly, get up--if you are
caught in that position all will be lost.
Manly No--I won't get up until you swear to me.
Anna Peace! I hear someone.
(Enter Belinda, about ten years old.)
Belinda Ah, ah, my sister, I caught you at it. A man at your feet. It's
very cute--really, ha, ha, ha.
Elizabeth Oh, I am in despair. She will tell everything to my father.
Jeremy Plague on the little critter.
Anna What do you want here, Miss?
Belinda You don't think of me. You each have one of your own, but
you leave me without one.
Elizabeth What are you getting at, little scatterbrain?
Belinda Hey, yes, yes, little scatterbrain. This gentleman here didn't
whisper sweet nothings in your ear--and this one didn't kiss Anna?
Mere tricks!
Jeremy What do you want, little girl? If I understand you, I will give
you a spanking.
Belinda A spanking. Ah, ah--listen.
Jeremy Yes, a spanking. Come one, bring me a switch right away.
Belinda Look at this drunk who wants to give me a whipping.
Jeremy Drunk! This little minx is too smart to live.
Anna Listen, little girl! Don't go telling stupid stories. It's your father
himself who invited these gentlemen.
Belinda I am well aware he invited them. But to dance, not make love.
Elizabeth What? You have the impudence--
Belinda Come on, come on. I already know about THINGS. To be
languorous, to throw himself at your feet, to kiss your hands tenderly,
to cast dying looks--they call that making love--and I know perfectly
well.
Manly This little creature is very dangerous!
Belinda I also caught my father doing the same thing this morning.
Anna Your father?
Belinda Yes, indeed. He was decked out like a young man. I didn't say
anything to him about it, but I watched him carefully.-- When I'm big, I
will remind him of it if he should try to prevent me from taking a lover.
Anna Here's the most naughty little pest I've ever known.

Belinda You're really irritated, aren't you, at what I've found out--for I
can make you furious and revenge myself on my sister who treats me
like a child, and who wants to be married before me.
Elizabeth Well, you can get married first. Don't say anything.
Belinda Good! I will marry first. You have the patience to wait till then?
Come, come, sister, marry this gentleman quickly--then they will soon
give me a chance to choose one for myself.
Elizabeth Didn't I tell you that this gentleman is a dancer, and that I
don't find him attractive?
Belinda Hey, yes! A dancer! What a dancer!
Anna Certainly.
Belinda It's no use for him to hide behind his mask.
Elizabeth Go on, you're crazy.
Belinda Hey, no. I didn't see him down there drinking with the
musicians; I didn't listen to him when he wasn't aware of it. He told
them he'd give them plenty of money if they would pretend he was one
of them-- that he would be so upset, so upset, if my father saw him. Oh,
if he's so afraid of my father, then he must be your lover--for my father
doesn't want you to have any lovers. He's very wrong, because I think
this is very amusing.
Elizabeth How miserable I am!
Belinda Go, go, fear nothing, sister, put your affairs in repose. I will
prevent papa from coming here when he gets back--but, on the
condition that you will help me when I get big.
Elizabeth I swear it.
Anna Me, too.
(Exit Belinda.)
Anna That little girl promises much. A ten year old to discover a secret
intrigue!
Elizabeth I swear to you that I'm terribly nervous and I believe that