Birmingham state herald., 1897-01-03
A MOMENT J1AI
 WITH THE PLAYERS.
Fl n. -r--.l-

on the stage, but if the holiday season f6 msh55 5Tkei ways sanch assh dear, IT con comfort ing sort Of a holiday Gwen if it didn't last 1c1g. Mrs. Ponderbury's Past" drew out fashionable assemblage on Mon day evening": Tuesday dawned auspi- clously for the outdoor tragedy, for what are foot ball players but tragedians in a way. Wednesday and Thursday even ings were given over to light comedies and the rest of the week MT. Griffith and his capable company claimed our atten- tion in two notable productions, "Richard the Third" and Faust" The laugh with which an actor plays the part of Me phisto" in Faust" is so expressive that 1t leaves. you shuddertng. and it must have lead to the description of the vil- lain in The Seats of the Mighty that Beerbohm Tree is presenting this season. In describing the villain of the story there is phrase which says;s"The good God did not make him-the devil laughed and that laugh grew,into 'Monsieur Villain"
 V
 The papers are saying great deal at present about Sarah Bernhardrs liter ary talents. Not content with all the plays that have been written for her, she has been at work on one herself. The play is called the Duchess Catherine," and the scenes are laid in Italy. It seems that the Duchess Catherine Caprirari is beloved by the Marquis Jean de Maupre, but he abandoneds her for her step- daughter Julietta Caprirari. The fourth scene in the play is reproduced here.
 Catherine (alone, after some moments of silence)-What do I wish for, death or love? Why cannot I subdue, stifie this passion? What Is there in my blood which burns me, strains me and fills my heart with anguish? What crime do l. expiate? Why, why would he love me no longer? Why, why do I still love him? But hear me. then, you stupid thing; he is liar liar! Yes, but still love him, Ilovel him. Then, let him be coward thief, an assassin, if only he one is coming. (She is half hidden by a great palm -tree.ssss Jean enters softly, but he sees Catherine's' white dress and rushes toward her)
 Jean-Julietta! At last!
 Catherine-It is not Julietta. It is I.
 Jean-What! Are we playing Beau marchais? You are not the. person whom l was seeking, madame. But can you explain to me?
 Catherine-I read your letter to Julietta and her answer to that letter, wherefore come here. Are you willing to say to me what you were about to say to the little duchess?
 Jean-I desired to say this to her: "Mademoiselle, love you. am accused of loving you for your fortune. There are objections to our union which can not explain to you. If you love me, come with me- we will marry in England" There, that is what I desired to say to Mile Caprirari.
 Catherine-You speak with a frankness to which you have not accustomed me. This girl, however, must learn that you are bound by ties of honor to another woman a .,
 Jean-will you tell her that?
 Catherine-Yes, I will, Moreover, she must be shown the cupidity of your soul, for you know very well that you will be the owner of Juliettta's six million as soon as you are her husband.
 Jean-Will you tell her that?
 Catherine-I will, and will also tell her that you swore the same eternal love to me few hours ago; that you said to me also, Let us go far away and live together"
 Jean-You must not forget the fact that you have loved a man who is cowardly, covetous and a liar.
 Catherine-Her surprise will not be equal to mine, can assure you; but, at all events, I shall save her.
 Jean-Ah, Madame, do not claim the merit of saving your daughter at the expense of your lover And, now, since we have come to the point when we can talk in this fashion to each other, l am going to be entirely frank with you. We'll yes; I am tired of dragging my
 
 rich. It is true I am not passionately in love with Mile Caprirari. I was sin cere when took you and made you in- toxicated with my love. I did not think of your fortune, because it never occur red to me that you might be disinherited. You were rich; so much the better. Since then irritating complications have arisen. I have lost a large amount at play; the castle at Maupre, where my mother lives, is heavily mortgaged without her knowledge, and l fear that at any mo- ment some bandit may drive her from this home which she loves so well. ann harassed by a gang of usurers who threaten me every day. Shame, dishon- or and ruin are before me. Just see what l received this, morning. There's no mistake about it. Read!
 Catherine-There is no need. feel that you are speaking the truth. But my fortune is at your service Take it.
 Jean-My debts amount to COG, 900 francs, and acceptance of your offer would mean ruin for you. I would be obliged to mort gage your estate, and we would live mis- erably, for I would drag you down to my own wretched condition, No, a thousand times no! I know that I am saying an odious thing to you; I under stand, too, that under all circumstances 1t is your duty to guard your daughter Julietta, and yet I tell you I will not abandon my project. I will marry Mile. Caprirari. Ifhave ceased to struggle; | have no more energy. Anyhow, I am not the only man who has married for money, and a union of that kind has never dishonored any one. so5
 Catherine-Permit me to believe that few men have contracted such union under circumstances similar to those in your case. Ai Jean-I admit it, for T know that I am acting an infamous part My whole be- ing revoits against what I am about 10 do, hut, on the other hand, I see on all sides of me ruin, hideous misery Yes, I know we'll that death would save me from my misery, but want to live. The | act which I am committing is base, abom- | inable, but it does not dishonor me. l | cannot help being child of this cen | tury. If I waver for second I feel that | my will will succumb beneath our love, | for, indeed, love you warmly brutally | Yes, love you, but nevertheless I must 1 live my life, and my life is made up of uproarious pleasures, of unbridled lux ury--
 Catherine-Jean, hear me.
 Jean--No, no! I do not wish you to | speak! do not want to hear you! Ah 1 be silent! For pitys sake be silent All l that you would say to me have already 1 said to myself. I am mad at heart when I think of what I am going to do, but l