Wood County reporter. [volume] (Grand Rapids [i.e. Wisconsin Rapids], Wis.) 1857-1923, 1894-05-03
Scene IN.=GuY. Dianne.

Scene IV.-Guy. Dianne
Guy iafter a Silence)-You are not
curious to see who is writing to you?
! Diane (aside)-With what pleasure
could beat him! (Aloud, lingering
the letter. Your heart does not tell
| you: uronicallyD 1t is from him!
! FROM the only being you love in the
world, from Roger dOncieux.
Guy-How do you know?
Dlane-Oh! do not trouble yourself
1t is not by my heart I feel the seal
| under my finger. Your friend is the
only man in France who still uses
wax to close his letters.
Guy-I hope you will give me news
of him before l leave.
Diane Gronically)-What! you do not
see him every day?
Guy-I have had the honor 20 tell
you that he is in the country. He has
not written to me since his departure.
Diane Gin the same tone)-Then I
can understand your anguish. 1 will
soften it. Ring for a light. lie
presses the button) But first please
answer me last question-simnly as
a psychological study Carefully pre-
pairing her sentence). Since you have
been working for the happiness of
another, heaven knows with what no.
BILE disinterestednessi you have never
regretted one single time-that you
We're not working for yourself? on.
de Lustrac sits down and takes ND
| the tongS. At the same instant the
maid brings a lamp, puts it on the
table, pulls down the shades and goes
out-all in silence) Come, answer me.
L promise never again to bore you
with my psychology.
Guy (stll pOking the fire)-Well.
that is a question! You would do
wisely not to put it to everybody.
Diane-But in the first place | can
only put it to you, as you are alone
in this case. Then do you think I
would remain for half an hour with
Everybody" in a half-lighted room?
What were you saying just now? It
is precisely because you are not every
body that you interest me and 1 try
to study you. I try to discover why it
IS that You are less-suppose we say
less foolish than other people. Come!
| am listening.
Guy (after a short STENCIL an
going to answer you by an apologize.
You pass every day through the Rue
de la PaiX When you see the
sapphireS and pearls in the shop win
dows, do you think of putting them
in your pocket?
Diane (emphatically)-Indeed, most
certainly do!
Guy (cOncealing his trouble by a
tone of ordinary gallantry)-Well, my
apologize turns against me. It was
badly chosen, besides, for the most
precious stones were made for your
beauty while I should be the widest
Of madmen to lift my dream to the
Comtesse de Limeuil aside from any
oath. :
Diane (at first very serious, then
affecting to laugh)-Very well! I am
answered. Great heaven! what d
pretty madrigal! Ha, ha, ha! And
what mOdeSty Ha, ha, ha! 1t is
enough to make one die of laughter.
(Her voice changes and she begins
to sob in her handkerchief. NJ. de
Lustrac, distracted, looks at her strug-
Cling with himself not to fall at her
feet.) I beg your pardon. (She wipes
her eyes quickly.) This wretched head
ache has put my nerves in such
state! And then this is what it is
to talk "betWeen dog and wolf" (She
hands the letter to Guy Here, my
friend, take for yourself the news
which interests you. on. de Lustrac
hesitates. Oh! there is no indiscretion.
You are his cOnfidant, and my brother,
Come, read!
Guy Teading aloud)-"Madame,
when you receive these lines, l shall
no longer belle stops abruptly
Diane (frightened) Great Heaven!
Has he killed himself?
Guy much troubled)-No (He con-
tinueS to read to himself, and sud-
denly falls at Madame de Limeuips
feet Oh! Diane! how I love you!
and how long it has been!
Diane (cOnfounded)-Yo love me?-
You?
Guy-She did not see it.
Diane quite simply in low voice.
[ thought / saw it more than once, but
today / was sure I had deceived my
self. When one talks in such fine
phrases it is always with heart per-
fectly free.
Guy covering Madame de LmeuiIs
hand with kisses)-And that is what
made you weep! Oh, precious tears!
Diane withdrawing her hand)-YOu
are losing your head, Monsieur. You
forget the jewelers. windows-that is
to say, your oath to Roger dOncieuX.
Guy Crising and res1Iming the read
ing Of the letter)-Listen to what he
writes:
when you receive these lines, I
shall no longer be in France In the
solitude to which I retired / have been
able to reflect, and I have seen clearly.
You will never love me because you
love another. Lustrac will tell you the
name of this happy man. Poor, excel
lent friend. / am writing to him by
this same all, to give him back GER
tain parole he had given me-" Dur
ing the reading Madame de Limeuil
has risen and approached NJ. de LuS-
trac to read at the same time. At the
last words, he passes his arm gently
aroundt he young woman's waist)