The New York herald. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1840-1920, 1875-02-21
The Latest Thea trical Sensa
tons in Paris.
MADEMOISELLE DUPARC
"ROSe Michel" at the Am
bigu.
GLADIATOR'S MILLIONS


which has just been brought out at the Gymnase,
10 the latest theatrical novelty OF Importance IN
Paris. 1t il the first attempt in sustained dra-
matte composition OF the author, VINO Is an ofncer
OF artillery by profession, though last year he
brought out one-act piece In verse, entitled
"LA BELLE PAULE"
which was first produced at the morning per-
iormances OF M. Ballande, and subsequently at
tanned the high honor Of being accepted at the
Theatre Francois 1t was, indeed, elegant tribe,
which gave promise OF good. solid work in good
time. Whether M. Denayrouze has yet redeemed
that promise Is another question. "Mademoiselle
Duparc" Is said to have been written under the
inspiration of M. Alexandra Dumas, but also under
his correction; ana M. Alexandra Dumas Is con-
scientous worker, so that we may feel sure that
anxious care and long pains have been spent upon
IT, Yet the result is not altogether satisfactory.
Here is the plot:-A certain
COUNTESS DE MEURsoLLEs
informs her uncle that she has seen her husband
enter the chamber OF the governess Mile. Duparc
whom she had rescued from AFFECT poverty and
desoation. This narrative, conveyed IN excellent
dialogue, which Is quite wonder Of lucid explana-
ton, and might be studied with infinite advantage
by American dramatists, occupies the first act In
the second the audience Is introduced to gilded
youth OF the fashionable type at an evening party
suits Mile. Duparc, whom he believes on insufn-
cient evidence to have been the mistress of o
friend OF his The governess, on receiving this
cruel outrage comes forward in presence of the
company to ask justice from the lady Of the house.
"11" she says, with great spirit and feeling, 'you
believe what that man has said, dismiss me from
your service; II not, send him away" The Coun-
tess de Meursolles orders the dandy to quit the
house, and then begins heart struggle between
the two women, while the Count de Meursolles and
the offending gentleman are fighting duel. after
the immemorial custom OF French plays. the
Countess now accuses the gOverness Of an In
trigue with her husband, ana Mile. Duparc
exculpates herself without dlflculty because
she Is not guilty; and there are al
the accents OF truth in her frank defence.
"The Count" she admits, 'forced his way
into my room, but he went out again immedl.
ately by my order" The vile believes and for.
gives her. In the third act we learn that the duel
has taken place and the Count has been wounded.
When he RECEIVERS consciousness the first words
he utters are to ask after the governess, and de.
sires to see her. His wife naturally opposes this
request; but Mile. Duparc insists on going into
his sick ROOM and when the Countess refuses to
permit 1t, and discharges her, she exutingly de-
clares that she must soon be recalled to save the
Counts life by the sight OF her. This argument
overcomes the wiie's opposition, and she con-
sents to let the gOverness enter her husbands
sick room, Notwithstanding her natural Jealousy
and anguish. But here her shrewd old uncle tn
tervenes and observes with extreme good sense,
my nephew Is Ill and my niece is out of her wits
am the only person here who Is sane in nina
and body You, Mademoselle, shall not enter the
room, and l order you to leave this house." Mean.
time the Count, who has been informed OF what IL
going on, comes forward and proposes to elope
with her. she accepts his offers; for though at
heart an honest girl. she has been 60 gcOlded
and humbled that her predominant feeling
is thirst for vengeance, and she has made up
her mind that II she Is turned out Of her place
without q misunderstanding merited no such deg.
radation-she will not 60 alone. very dramatic
scene between the TWO women terminates the
piece. "You are going away ?" says the Countess,
1nterrOgatively. "Yes," replies the governess,
drily. "And you are gong TO take my husband
with youT The same BRIEF dry monosyllable
goes back to her. and then the wife, drawing her
rival toward . window which looks out on her
utter misery and despair, "You wish to be
Countess de Meuisoles and alone am In your
way; my religion forbids me to commit suicide.
but your fortune is in your own hands; am seated
on the extreme edge OF this window and touch
win preclpitate me into the court below" "You
believed me capable OF crimei" answers the
governess, recoiling with horror. Perhaps" re-
turns the Countess, YEARLY, lyon are not alto
gether bad, 4" and then, seized by frantic resolu.
tion she rushes desperately toward the window
to put an end to her life. Mile. Dnparc irustr ates
her purpose alter Q painful struggle, and,
falling at her Feet beg' her pardon and
electrified by TINS scene ana the curtain
fell amid loud and long applause. Nevertheless,
IN fotnl Of hA Vnd a pnrOll
Is sufficiently obvious; for the subsequent rela-
lions between the wife and husband, who intend.
ed to elope with another lady must at the least
have been difficult and unpleasant However,
play-goers 90 not often concern themselves with
strict morality and the piece was admirably r put
and the part Of the gOverness was acted by Nile
Talandera M Ravel played the shrewd old
uncle with astonishing spirit and humOr. Ii needs
no more TO prove that the whole performance was
delightful
"RosE NrCHEI,n
by M. Ernest Blum, is the title OF grand drama
In five acts, which has obtained marked success
at the Ambigu. The plot OF II may be summarized
thus:-R0se Michel, woman o.; the lower classes
Is unhapplly married TO a man OF bad character,
wno occupies the social standing OF publican At
his neignbors. The chief passion OF Pierre Micnel
Is sordid avarlce, which he gratihes by
oe most o. tbs S
whom all the love and tenderness OF her mother
are lavished, and IN order TO take her away from
the misery and temptation OF tavern life and to
preserve her from the brutalities OF her father
Rose Michel has apprent1ced the girl TO Nj. Der.
nard, q designer for textile fabrics, who has Just
been chosen syndic OF his guild, according to the
good old practice OF promoting tradesmen to honor
IN their own way during the reign Of Louis XIV
The mlser's daughter has been well received in
the honest household and has not only captivated
Gilbert Bernard her masters son, but MS father
has generously consented to his marriage with
the dowerless GIRL on the sole condition that her
family should bearsnquiry into their antecedents
On the eve OF this marriage Rose Michel joyiuly an.
nounces the happy news TO her brutal husband
and MIN Tor 100 francs to buy their daughters
wedding clothes. The mser refuses to part with
his money. and his wife, with wOmans instinct
Tor roundabout ways, let's the subject drop, thong
she Is determined that her daughter Louise shall
not 60 empty handed ike beggar into the rich
Bernard family. She knows the hiding place
where her husband boards his gold and resolves 70
take part Of because she reasons that 1t nightly
belongs TO her, the fruits OF her own
labor. While engaged In the very act OF dong so
she Is surprised BY her husband, ana there follows
q succession OF dramatic scenes between them
which make the very hair or the boldest play -gOe
O stand unon an end. The miser neremp.OrY