Morning journal and courier., 1880-03-22
@ @Daniei ROchat. ''
VictOrien SardOu's Latest Play-Thc Fourth Act of Much-TaIkea-Of

! VictOrien SardOu's Latest Play-Thc Fourth Act of q Much-TaIkea-Of l Drama.
 Paris Correspondence of the Boston Advertiser l Daniel Rochat is an atheist and Repub- ican. Travelling through Switzerland, where 1 he has promised to mako a speech, he meets | two charming American girls under the mat | ronage of their aunt and falls deeply in love with Miss Lea Henderson. Strangely enough, Sardou leaves his hero in ignorance of the l strong Protestant religious sentiment of his future wife, and after an opening scene of a centenary festival in honor of Voltaire at Fer ney, where lis eloquence is applauded to his hearts content, Daniel Rochat makes the most touching declaration of love possible to Imagine, and is accepted. The aunt, occu pied in distributing tracts and Bibles, does not seem to have asked whether her future nephew is Christian or not, and the civil mar riage is speedily consummated. Daniel Ro chat considers himself married, and his friends impress upon his mind that his posi- tion, his connections and his political respon- sibility render a religious ceremony impossi- ble but Lea Henderson is quite of another opinion, and the fourth act. superbly acted, gives the key to the whole play
 Lea alone in the boudoir adjoining her room is about to write. She holds an open letter in her hands and reads:
 '1s it possible, Lea, that two beings who love one another should find themselves in
 
 ink such day? In truth, I ask myself if all this can be true. At this hour you should be in my arms, and hare we gre, separated by the most absurd of reasons. We next door to each other; between tho house where I am and yours there is but tiny rivuiet; the branches the bank are interlaced, and we arc hundred leagues apart I entreat of you, my Lea, speak one word of tenderness, which will unite us. Receive me this even ing, one instant, one second, that my first day of wedlook may not pass in such cruel isola ton. This afternoon I was irritated, violent woundipg perhaps. I reproach myself, and own I was wrong. Forget it, I entreat you, and let me merit your pardon, and prove to you that iii this impious heart there is aG least one sacred image - yours-and a religion above all trial-my love for you"
 As she finishes this letter, it's author enters the room, and Lea asks without turning round
 ''Is it you, CIaudine P
 Daniel, coming up softly behind her:
 ''No Lea it is L"
 Lea-Here?
 Daniel, still gently-You were writing to me, were you not?
 Lea-Yes in fact-I-
 Daniel, still quietly-I was quite right, then, to cone and talk with you, instead of corresponding at distance. When I received the note-the note cold, refusing me this interview-I at once made up my mind, I
 
 from that at Targis. Lights On every floor made me conclude that all had gone to their respective rooms. I crossed the hall. I knew the way and came directly here. No one has seen me, and besides, what Is more natural than my presence near to you to- night? Is it not the right place for me?
 Lea-And it seems likewise natural to you, Daniel, that your friends should argue there upon at leisure? (She goes to ring)
 Daniel, placing himself before ths bell What are you going to do?
 Lea-Ripg.
 Daniel-For your servants In order to seud me away In their presence?
 Lea-Oh, Daniel, you cannot believe me capable of such thing. I shall simply beg my aunt and my sister to come down.
 Daniel-They are fast asleep. Why awaken them?
 Lea-You cannot, however, hope that I l will accept this interview at such an hour?
 DanieI-And why not, my darling Lea
 Lea-It is not with one of your compatriots 1 that you have to do. am of race where l young girls are taught to know danger in or 1 der to defend themselves. I understand you ! perfectly. You argue that when it is known 1 that you have been here tonight, that will 1 suffice to compromise mo tomorrow, and that l I can no longer refuse to follow you. You 1 wish to avoid the church Own that this is 1 what you hope for?
 Daniel-I hope for something better still, 1 Lea.
 Lea-No! what you are about to do is dis l loyal. Leave me, and do not commit the un- | worthy action of dishonoring her who to- morrow ought to be your wife.
 Daniel-My presence in your room dis honor to you? My dearest Lea, people would | be more astonished in knowing I was not | here
 Lea-By what right? You are more than my engaged lover, less than my husband. Lis ten to me, Daniel. Go away, and don't lead people to think what is not true.
 Daniel-And what will be, however, what ought to be, if you love me as I love you.
 Lea-I love you vitk all the strength of my heart, Daniel, and you know it. It is because I love you that wish to keep myself worthy of you.
 Daniel (tenderly, in low voice)-And why keep yourself or rather take yourself, back again For, after all, you are mine, and you have not the right to steal from me the love which now belongs to me.
 Lea-Daniel, I shall call! (She goes toward her bedroom, then stops, understanding the danger of crossing the threshhold.) Daniel, go away, I beg and implors you.
 Daniel-Not before knowing whether you love me as well as you say you do.
 Lea-It only depends upon yourself to be assured of it. The temple is there, ready to open it's doors to us, even at night.
 Daniel-Leave the temple where it is and do not let us seek for heaven so far away. Otay Wuc1O WS eKoS my osaIluS,, "Itn OuE lOVo, which will make the only religion of my life.
 Lsa-Do not blaspheme, my Daniel There is no love without God.
 Daniel-On the contrary, you see there is, since I love you.
 Lea-Not rightly and that is my grief.
 Daniel-Bettsr than you Yes, hundred times betterl Is love such cold reasoning, which argues what is allowed and what is not; what 1t will be tomorrow, presently, and at what price, and which always throws between | us, even upon the nuptial bed, the desolating | image of it's frozen God? Darling Lea, does | she who really loves ever think of God Her | o1aIu rrrd ia har InuaI