The Princess of Bagdad: A Play In Three Acts

(She lets her head fall upon the couch, and half loses consciousness.)

Raoul (jumping upon the couch, taking his mother's head in his arms, and kissing it.)

Mamma, mamma, mamma … do not die, I beseech you.

Lionnette (recovering consciousness)

No, no, I shall live, for I love you!..

(She covers him with kisses, and does not see John, who enters with Richard, who is showing him the scene. John starts back, comprehending nothing yet. Godler and Trévelé look on and rejoin John, who cannot take his eyes off the picture of the mother and her child. Richard touches Lionnette's shoulder, who turns round and sees John.)

Scene V

LIONNETTE, JOHN, RAOUL, RICHARD, GODLER, TRÉVELÉLionnette to John (running to him and falling on her knees)

Do not leave me any more. I will explain all to you. I understand, I see it all clearly now! I am innocent, I swear to you! I swear to you! I swear to you! We will live modestly in some quiet place, wherever you like. What difference does that make now that my child has awakened my soul in me?

(She throws herself again on her son's neck).

John (in the hands of Godler and Trévelé)

My friends, my friends, I am losing my senses!

Godler

You can, indeed, boast of having a true woman as a wife!

Trévelé (touching him)

Go and kneel at her feet.

(Lionnette is sitting on the couch, supporting her son's head on her knees, and her head thrown back, in an attitude of weariness and contentment. John throws himself on his knees before her, and kisses the hand she has free. She holds out the other to Richard.)

Lionnette (to Richard)

It was just in time.

Richard

Yes, the cry of a child! that is sufficient. When all is nearly lost, God's way is all-powerful.

John

I believe in you, and I love you.

Lionnette (with a long sigh of joy)

Ah! how happy I am!

Godler (wiping his eyes)

How foolish I am, at my age!

Trévelé (to Godler, wiping his eyes, and trying to conceal his emotion)

Bring forward your lock of hair.

Chateau de Salneuve, September, 1880FINIS