The Princess of Bagdad: A Play In Three Acts

Nourvady

I have already told you: I love you.

Lionnette

And this, then, is your fashion of proving your love?

Nourvady

If I had had any other at my disposal, I should have employed it. I love you (changing his tone, and approaching her). I have loved you madly for years. (She recoils involuntarily from the movement of Nourvady.) Fear nothing: I dishonour you, perhaps, in the eyes of others, but I respect you; and you are sacred to me. If ever you are mine, it will only be with your consent; that is, when you will have said, "I return your love." I know well all the kinds of love one can buy! It is not for a love such as that I ask: you would not give it to me, and I do not wish for it from you. You are beautiful; I love you; and you have a great grief, a trouble, a common-place preoccupation, beneath your consideration, that one of your race and character ought never to know. On account of what? On account of some bank notes; of a few hundred pounds that you are in want of; and that I have in such profusion that I know not what to do with them. This grief – this annoyance – may cause you to lose your repose; may cost you your beauty – even your life; for you are a woman who would die in the face of an obstacle that you could not conquer. I have what is wanted to dispel this grief and care. I do it, therefore. Was it necessary to ask your permission? If I had seen your horse running away with you, should I have asked your permission to help you? I should have rushed to your horse's head and saved you, or he would have passed over my body. If I had saved your life, and survived, you would, perhaps, have loved me for that heroic act: if I had been killed, you would certainly have been sorry, and have wept for me. I have not exposed my life in saving you as I have done: I have not accomplished an act of heroism, I have only done a thing that was very easy for me; but I could not control the circumstances.

Lionnette

Ah! Well, your devotion led you astray, Sir; and if I am in your house, it is to call upon you to repair – before it be irremediable – the harm you have done.

Nourvady

It is out of my power to do anything myself. I have expressly employed this method because I knew it to be the only one, and irremediable. It would be now necessary that your creditors should consent to take back their bills, and give back their money. Do you think they would consent to that?

Lionnette

This, then, is what you said to yourself: This woman that I respect, esteem, and love, I am going first to compromise and dishonour her in the eyes of everybody; I am going to make her despised, insulted, and turned out of doors by her husband; and, the first emotion over, she will have nothing left to choose; she will take up her part, and will then be mine.

Nourvady

I did not reflect at all. It did not please me at all that the tradespeople should have the power of hunting and humiliating you. I paid them. I did not wish you to be sorrowful; I could not endure to see you poor. It is a fancy, like any other, and I am willing to take the consequences of my fancy. If you had been in my place you would have done what I have done.

Lionnette

No! If I were a man and pretended to love an honest woman, whatever might come of it, I would respect her dignity and the proprieties of the society in which she moves.

Nourvady

Is it really a woman of your superiority who speaks of the proprieties of society? Are not women like you above all that? Was I to come delicately and hypocritically to offer your husband the sum he stood in need of? "Arrange your affairs, my dear friend; you can give me back that trifle when you are able." I should certainly have acted like that if I had not loved you; loving you, ought I to do it, that is to say, to speculate upon your gratitude, upon the impossibility of your husband discharging his debt, and upon fresh and unavoidable necessities? That is a course that would have been unworthy of him, of me, and of you. No, you know it well, the proprieties and dignity are nothing any longer, when passion or necessity predominates. Did your grandmother respect the dignity of her daughter when she gave her up to a prince?

Lionnette

Sir!..

Nourvady

You do not fear words! There they are, those words, saying quite well all they have to say. Why do you rebel against them? Did your husband respect the dignity of his mother, the traditions of his family, the proprieties of the society in which he moved, when he issued a public summons to that irreproachable mother, to enable him to marry you? And you, yourself, while following your mother's counsel, did you say to that man: "My dignity is entirely opposed to marrying you under those circumstances, disowned, repulsed, disgraced by your mother"? Ah! well, I too, if I had met you when you were a young girl, I should have loved you as I love you now; and if my father had wished to prevent my marrying you, I should have acted like the Count. I envy him the sacrifice he was able to make for you, and that I can never make now.

Lionnette (half mockingly, half sincerely)

It may be so, but now it is too late. I am no longer open to marriage, and, unfortunately for you, I have no longer a mother.

Nourvady

But you may become a widow.

Lionnette

Then, you really hate the Count?

Nourvady

Yes, almost as much as I love you.

Lionnette

And you would like to prove it to him?

Nourvady

That is the second of my dreams. In the service that I rendered you, I knew perfectly well the insult I should inflict upon him, and much as I counted on your visit here, I was waiting in my house first for that of Mr. Godler and Mr. Trévelé, whom I had left expressly at your house yesterday until the Count returned home.

Lionnette

How agreeable and convenient it is to be open and sincere and to play your cards so openly. Ah, well, sir, if my husband has not yet sent his two friends, it is because he wishes first to send you your money. He is gone in search of it.

Nourvady

He will not find it.

Lionnette

I shall find it myself, without the ignominy which you anticipated. The Count will make a public restitution of the sum that you advanced in private, and will add to that restitution all that is required to make you justify your hatred.

Nourvady

He will strike me?

Lionnette

That is not at all doubtful.

Nourvady

And I will kill him.

Lionnette

That is not quite certain; he is courageous. A man who has no fear of death for himself, has a steadier hand to give it to another.

Nourvady

Pray for him; in the first place, it is your duty as a wife, and in the next, my death will be a fortunate event for you, indeed – a very good thing.

Lionnette

In what way?

Nourvady

Because, having no relations, not a single true friend in this world, as is only to be expected in a millionaire like me; because, loving you as you deserve to be loved, in life and in death, I have made my will, in which I have said that you are the loveliest and purest woman I have ever met; that your husband, who will kill me, has unjustly suspected you, and that I entreat you, in compensation for the suspicion of which, my admiration and my esteem have involuntarily been the cause, to graciously accept for your son all that I possess, notwithstanding that I also detest that son.

Lionnette

Why?

Nourvady

Because that child is the living proof of your love for your husband.

Lionnette (aside)

Alas! The child proves nothing. (Aloud) Never mind, all that is not ordinary, and you would, perhaps, finish by convincing me – with your death – provided that all this be true. If it be not true, it is well concocted.

Nourvady

Why should I deceive you? And what would you like me to do with my fortune if I die? What good would it be to me without my life, and in life what should I do with it without you? Whereas, if I die, my will is there by the side of the title deeds of proprietorship of this house, which you would only have had to sign if you had consented to be its owner during my life (he points to a cabinet at the bottom of the room), and your pocket money is here (he shows the coffer).

Lionnette

Ah! yes, it is true. The famous million! There lies the temptation of the present hour. The tabernacle of the golden calf. Ah! well, let me look at it… After all you have told me, who knows? perhaps, your god will convert me.

(She walks towards the coffer, of which she opens the principal side. The gold contained in it is scattered all over the open panel.)

Lionnette (looking at the gold)

It is certainly grand; like all which has power. There is contained ambition, hope, dreams, honour, and dishonour; the perdition and the salvation of hundreds – of thousands – of creatures, perhaps: it has no power for me. If I had loved my husband, I should, probably, take this million to save him: that would be one of the thousand base acts that one is called upon to commit in the name of true love. But, decidedly, I love no one and nothing. (Shutting the coffer violently.) Fight each other; kill each other; live or die, I am indifferent towards you both. You have both insulted me – each in your own way, and, always, in the name of love! Ah! if you only knew how what you call love becomes more and more odious to me. But, to make me believe in love, show me the man who respects that which he loves! I love you; that is to say, you are beautiful, and your flesh tempts me. It is to that temptation that I owed the husband who outrages me; it is to that temptation that I owe the insult that you have inflicted on me. A prince was not able to resist what he, too, called his love for a pretty girl; and I owe my existence to that so-called love! I must suffer on account of that; and, perhaps, in my turn, sell myself always on account of that! And that father dared not love me openly; me, his daughter; himself, a king! But, at least, he sometimes pressed me to his heart in secret: he wept; for he, too, suffered! Holding my head between his hands, he said to me, – he is the only one who ever said it to me, – "Be a virtuous woman always; it is the foundation of all good. Do you understand me?" And I believed him, and wished to be a virtuous woman, as he asked me to be; and it leads me to what? To be treated like one of the worst of creatures by him to whom I have remained faithful. And there is that man who insults me by his offer! His father made many millions by his bank; and he, the son, would like to buy me with them while I am yet young, be it understood. Why not? But, dear Sir, I am born of desire and corruption: they gave me no heart. With what, then, do you expect me to love you? I had no esteem for my mother: you do not know what it is not to esteem one's mother! My husband is an inexperienced, an idle, an unsophisticated man, who ought to have guided me; who did not know how; and whom I will never see any more. That is what I have come to. As to my son, I needed help, I took him in my arms yesterday, and he said to me, "I like better to go and play." Ah, well! let him get on without maternal dishonour. It will be a novelty in the family, and that will be my last luxury. It matters not. Amongst all this impurity and all these errors, there came on the scene, all of a sudden, one of the first gentlemen in the world; and his coming changed everything. I have royal blood in my veins. I shall never belong to you. Adieu! (She goes towards the door at the back. Two violent and quick rings are heard at the bell of the entrance.) What can that be?

Nourvady

A visitor who has made a mistake (ringing). Wait a moment! (The Footman appears.) Who is that?

The Footman

There are several men ringing at the door, but we have not opened it.

(During this time Lionnette has covered herself with her veils.)

Nourvady

Very well! Do not open it.

(Two blows of a hammer are given on the hall door; after a little while, two more.)

A Voice (from outside)

For the third time, open.

Lionnette (who has gone to look through the curtains of the window)

My husband! With these men. Ah! this is complete.

Nourvady

Conceal yourself here. (He shoves the door at the right.)

Lionnette (beyond herself with passion)

I conceal myself! What do you mean? Who do you take me for? I have done no harm. All those people there are mad, decidedly. I want to see them quite close. (Nourvady goes to lock the door at the back. Lionnette has pulled off her veils, torn the fichu that was on her shoulders, and unrolled her hair by shaking her head.) It was when I was like this that my husband thought me most beautiful! It is well, at least, that he should see me once more as he used to like to see me. Am I really beautiful like this?

Nourvady

Ah! yes; beautiful indeed.

Lionnette

And you love me?

Nourvady

Very deeply.

Lionnette

And all your life will be devoted to me?

Nourvady

All my life.

Lionnette

You swear it to me?

Nourvady

On my word of honour.

(He approaches her quickly. At that moment she stretches out her uncovered arms, and crosses them on her face; that she turns away. Nourvady covers her arms with kisses.)

A Voice (outside the door that Nourvady has shut)

Open!

Nourvady

Who are you?

The Voice

In the name of the law.

Nourvady

I am in my own house. I refuse.

John (from outside)

Break open that door.

Lionnette

The coward!

The Voice

It is I who give orders here, and I only. For the last time, will you open the door?

Nourvady

No!

The Voice

Force that door.

Nourvady (to Lionnette)

Tell me that you love me.

Lionnette

Ah! yes, I love you; as he has driven me to it.

(During these words the door was violently shaken, and it opens with a great noise.)

Scene III

THE SAME PERSONS, JOHN, THE COMMISSARY OF POLICE, his Secretary, Two Agents

By an involuntary movement Lionnette places herself on the side opposite to that on which she was with Nourvady. In this way they become separated. Nourvady walks in front of the Commissary of Police. Lionnette seats herself upon the couch, one arm half supported on the back of the couch, the other upon the little table which is there. Her three-quarters' profile is turned towards the audience in an attitude of anger and defiance at what is going on. John points her out to the Commissary, and wants to run towards her. The Commissary stops him.

The Commissary

By virtue of an official mandate, I am required to come at the request of Count Victor Charles John de Hun, who is here, to prove the clandestine presence of the Countess Lionnette de Hun, wife of the said Count Victor Charles John de Hun, in the house of Mr. Nourvady, and to establish according to law the offence of adultery.

Nourvady

Sir!

The Commissary

You will please be silent, sir, and reply only to my questions, if I have any to put to you. (To John.) This gentleman is, I believe, Mr. Nourvady, whom you accuse of being an accomplice with your wife?

John

Yes.

The Commissary (to Lionnette)

Do you deny that, madam?

Lionnette

No. I am, indeed, the legitimate wife of that gentleman, and Countess de Hun, alas!

The Commissary (to an Agent)

See that no one enters here! (To the Secretary.) Sit down and write. (The Secretary sits down and prepares to write.)

Nourvady (to The Commissary)

But really, sir?

The Commissary

I am Commissary of Police in your district; here are my insignia, sir. (He shows one end of his scarf; dictating to his Secretary). Having betaken ourselves to one of the residences of Mr. Nourvady…

Lionnette

That is not correct, sir! Mr. Nourvady is not here in his own house, but in mine; this house and all that is in it belongs to me. Be kind enough to open this cabinet at your left and you will find there my title-deeds of ownership, which prove what I am stating.

The Commissary (to one of his Agents)

Open it. (The Agent gives him all the papers that he finds in the cabinet. The Commissary reads them over.) These papers are not quite according to law; it is a purchase made in your name but you have not ratified it, and your signature is wanting. (While he is speaking he carries the papers to Lionnette.)

Lionnette (taking the papers and signing)

There it is, and as the Count de Hun and I were married under the act of separation of property, and, as he legally gave me the right of acquiring and disposing of my property, I do not know what he wants here, in my house.

John (menacing her)

Madam!

The Commissary

Silence, sir, I beg of you. (Dictating.) We presented ourselves at the house which was indicated to us as one of the residences of Mr. Nourvady. Our visit was foreseen, and an order had been given to the servants to open the door to no one. After three legal summonses on our part, and three refusals on the part of the persons shut up in a room on the first floor, we broke open the door, and found in this room a man and woman, recognized to be Mr. Nourvady and the Countess Lionnette de Hun. The said lady, when we attributed to Mr. Nourvady the ownership of the house, formally declared to us that she was the owner of the house in which we found her, and furnished proofs of the same; also, she affirmed that Mr. Nourvady was paying her a visit there.

John

Add, if you please, sir, that I have disowned all participation in the ownership of this house, acquired without my consent, and by illegitimate means, which will be proofs of the charge of guilt.

The Commissary (to the Secretary)

Record the declaration of the Count de Hun. (Dictating.) After the refusal that was given to us, first by the servants of the house and then by Mr. Nourvady… You were the one, sir, were you not, who refused to open this door? (He turns towards Nourvady.)

Nourvady

Yes, sir.

The Commissary

After the refusal given and repeated three separate times by Mr. Nourvady, to open the door of the room where he was shut up with the Countess de Hun, although, according to the declaration of this lady, he was not in his own house, but her's, and, therefore, under the circumstances, she alone had a right to command there – after these repeated refusals, we found nothing to furnish us with convincing proofs of the charge that the complainant wished us to establish.

(While speaking, The Commissary has run his eye over the stage, looking at the furniture, and lifting up the screens that separated the drawing room from other rooms.)

John

The presence of my wife in this house is sufficient to prove the crime.

The Commissary

No, sir.

John

In a case like this the intention is enough.

The Commissary

We are not here to judge according to intentions, but to state according to facts.

JOHN (picking up Lionnette's veils).

What more do you require than this triple veil, which proves that my wife has come here concealing her face, as I saw, in short, for I followed her? A strange manner to enter her own house, since she maintains it to be her's. (Pointing to Lionnette.) Look at this, sir; what more do you require?

The Commissary

Be as calm as possible, sir; the law will do its duty, however painful it may be. (He dictates.) Still, the attitude and bearing of the Lady de Hun, at the moment of our entrance, was at least suspicious. Her hair was half falling on her shoulders.

Nourvady (to The Commissary)

Be good enough to note, sir, that at this point of your accusation I interrupted you, and that I affirmed most emphatically and on my word of honour the complete and perfect innocence of the Countess Lionnette de Hun, whose honour, whatever the appearances may be, should not be doubted for a moment.

Lionnette (very calm at first, but gradually exciting herself to frenzy)

And I, in the face of the scandal that my husband wished to create, and, though appreciating the motive of Mr. Nourvady's affirmation, which it is every honourable man's duty to make who wishes to save a woman's honour, I declare it false; and the facts that the law cannot prove I declare absolutely true. Mr. Nourvady was shut up here with me, by my wish, because he was, because he is, my lover.

John (running towards her. The Commissary puts himself between them.)

Madam!

Lionnette

Whatever may be the punishment of the adulteress, I merit it. (To the Secretary, who hesitates.) Write, sir, I have not finished. Write. (She rises, and walks to the table where the Secretary is writing.) So that there may not, by any possibility, be any mistake in the scandalous trials that will follow this scene, and in order that my husband may not have to accuse himself of casting upon me an unjust and hasty suspicion, I declare that not only have I given myself to Mr. Nourvady because I loved him, but because he is rich and I am poor; that after having ruined my husband I sold myself, so incapable was I of bearing poverty. The price of my fall is there: a million in gold struck expressly for me! My husband, there, was right yesterday, when he treated me like a prostitute. I am one, and very happy to be so. And if what I have told you does not convince you; if proofs are necessary, there they are! (She steeps her bare arms in the gold, and throws handfuls of it all round her. To John.) And you, sir, if you are in want of money, take some; after the baseness that you commit at this moment, there remains only this for you to do.

John (going towards her; she looks in his face; John falls on a chair.)

Madam!.. Ah!

Lionnette (to Nourvady.)

And now do you believe that I am entirely yours?

John

In the face of the insolence and audacity of the accused, I require her immediate arrest.

The Commissary

I know the rights that the law gives me, and the duties that I have to fulfil. All that has been said has been recorded in the accusation; I limit my office to that. (To Nourvady.) As you are not in your own house, sir, you can retire; only as the avenue is full of people in front of the principal entrance, leave the house by this exit: one of my agents will join you, in order that the policeman may allow you to pass. (He points to the left. Nourvady bows to Lionnette and goes out by the left, passing in front of John, who, standing with his arms folded, pretends not to see the provoking salute Nourvady gives him.)

The Commissary (to Lionnette)

With regard to you, Madam, as you are in your own house, enter, I beg of you, into your apartment, and if you wish to go out, do not go till some time after our departure, when there will be no longer inquisitive persons outside, and you will be sure not to be insulted.

Lionnette

Thank you, sir.

(She goes out by the door at the right).

The Commissary (to John)

I am going to deliver my report to the Judge. You have ten days to withdraw your complaint, sir – a complaint that perhaps you were very wrong to bring. That woman accuses herself too much. I believe her to be innocent. Go out of this house before me, sir; the people saw us come in together, and if we go out in the same way they will recognise you as the husband, and they might say disagreeable things to you. The French people do not approve of husbands who surprise their wives by the appearance of a Commissary of Police. I have the honour to wish you good morning.

(John bows to him and goes away. The Commissary comes back and sits down near his Secretary, to complete the last formalities.)

ACT III

The same decorations as in the first Act.

Scene I

JOHN, GODLER, TRÉVELÉ(Godler is sitting down, Trévelé standing. John is walking about in great agitation.)Godler

And then?

John (sitting down)

Then, just as I was going to start for my sister's house, and everybody thought me gone, for I had no wish to sleep in this house, suddenly I was seized with the idea of concealing myself, and following my wife if she went out, so as to convince myself, and if she deceived me to disgrace her publicly. This morning I saw her go out veiled, take a cab, and alight at that house in the Champs Elysées. It was very clear. I went to fetch a Commissary of Police, who lives close by that house. He hesitated at first, but the fear of a greater misfortune, of a crime that I was resolved to commit, decided him to go; and on the refusal of Mr. Nourvady to open the door, they forced it open.