New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1905-05-05
A DUEL OF TWO SOULS
French Drama an Which Science
COmbats ReEgion-Other Plays.
Paris, April %.

was produced a rev Gays ago at lIlS AAAOSNN-N
Francais with brilliant success, and which viii
in due course be given in New-York and Lon
don. is the most versatile and supple OF con-
temporary French dramatists. In lie Prince
d'Aurec" he portrayed the venality as well as
the valiant qualities of up-to-date French aIls-
tocracy: in 'Viveurs" he drew a giddy farandoIe
Of the doings Of the uitra-smart set OF Partisan
pleasure seekers: in "NOuveau Jeu" he scanoal-
ized old fashioned notions of bourgeoise noraIsi
in lie Vielx Marcheur' he dashed off mas
terIy sketch Of the seamy side OF political NE
Of the day; IN Catherine" he delineated the
vicissitudes Of the Partisan working glTl Win
a pathetic tenderness suggestive Of Maria Eose-
worth and in lie Marquis &c Priola" he out
Tired with marvellous skill the twentieth CEN
tury Don Juan. lie Duel" is a work of simple,
almost classical. construction and concentrated
dramatic power 1t contains only four charac-
ters-a beautiful. wealthy and highly sensitive
duchess a superb bishop, whose episcopate Is
somewhere in Indo-China, and who is resplen-
dent in robes OF dazzling white; Partisan
worldly priest smartly attred in sable cassock
and nicely fitting black vestments, and an
atheist Partisan physician. The priest and the
physician are brothers. 1t is q duel between
two souls It is a duel between science and
religion. II IS a duel between brothers.
DR.. Morey is a young physician, who has at
the patients in his fashionable private hos
pital is Monsignor de BolAne, Bishop Of Indo-
China who ia recuperatine after the fatigues
and physical torture to which he had been sub
jected during the Boxer outbreak. Another pa
tient is the dissipated Due de Chailles, whose
constitution has been undermined by life OF
debauchery, decadence, alcohol and morphine
The young and attractive Duchess de Chailles
makes frequent visits to the private asylum 70
inquire after her wretched husband. She has
many conversations with the brilliant young
atheist physician. There IS sympathy between
them. They become confidential. The duchess
relates how she became married TO her worth
less husband who welded her for her money.
II was merely a bag Of gold labelled with an
NlustriOus name" she said. lone evening the
duke kissed me gently on the shoulder, and my
young heart beat and futJered so violently that
! fancied I was in love After the marriage he
reapsed into his vices. He inspired me with
dismay and loathng. Meanwhile 1 belong TO
my master to that broken down, vindictiVe IN
valid. who has not the courage TO kill himself,
and who hates me because prevent him from
dying" In exchange for this confidence, the
duchess receives that OF the physician. My
life also IS by no means happy" he said My
youthful days were painful, fatiguing and des-
titute Of parental affection. for my father free
thinker preferred my younger brother, who
more closely resembled him. Ny father died
We two brothers ceased TO see one another
!, the elder, by a caprice Of fate. became an
atheist and physician while my younger
brother renowned free thought and worldly
pleasures and took holy orders"
Are you religious" asked Morey of the
duchess.
NO" she replies.
Then your sole consolation Is TO be found in
love" says the doctor.
Love is the scourga of humanity and the
source Of all our Ills retorts the duchess.
Love is after all the only thing worth living
for" urges the young scientist
Just as mutual declaration hovers upon
their lips, Monsigneur Bolene is announced. The
bishop, splendidly impersonated by Paul MoUnet,
enters, clad in white and purple. glittering with
decorations and episcopal crosses. He has a
majestic head and flowing white beard, resem-
bling Tostoy or Cardinal Lavigerie. A few
moments talk reveals TO the discerning bishop
that Mercy is in love, with the duchess. When
the duchess leaves the room the bishop turns to
Morey and with almost brutal frankness asks:
Has she q Iover?" The doctor involes the
purity OF the duchess's life, whereupon the
bishop inquiries, Then why do you try to be-
come her lover?" Mercy is troubled by this
abrupt question, which crystalIizes. as it were,
his feelings. Soon the Able Daniel calls After
ten years separation from his brother the doc
tor, he now comes TO seek his brothers profess
sional aid in the parish dispensary, and also to
solicit his brothers. recommendation to secure
q charitable subscription from the Duchess de
Chailles, who is one Of the abbe's parishioners.
The doctor refuses both requests. The brothers
exchange violent words and quarrel. After the
Rbbe's departure the duchess returns. Morey de-
clares his love. She at first repels the DOCTOR
and says that il is "a painful disillusion to
find that their friendship has degenerated into
love" The doctor nevertheless obtains a vague
promise for a clandestne meeting on the fol-
lowing day.
The able. seated in his sumptuously furnished
STUDY, receives the visit of a lady who has fire.
quently come to him in the confessional box,
but whose name IS unknown TO him. 1t is the
Duchess &c Chailles. Never has she been in
more pressing need OF advice. She relates that
when about to yield to the solicitations of the
man she loves she passed near the abbe's door,
and, after reflection, came for counsel A few
moments later a man IS announced It is the
doctor, who has followed the woman he loves
A terrible scene ensues between the two broth
ers. The doctor accuses his brother with seek
ing to turn the duchess's heart against him, not
out Of religious duty, but simply because he. the
priest, loves the duchess. The able, in conster-
nation at the charge, which is true, becomes
Iivid with rage and fear.
MonseigneDr Bolene. the good angel of the
drama, straightens matters by announcing the
death Of the Wretched Due de Chailles Nine
de Chaiiles is thus free. The bishop says to the
duchess: 1T is your duty TO live the life OF a
woman" To the priest: 7 am going to take
you with me TO the Far East but before doing
so you must place your brothers hand in that
OF the duchess" This is done The abbe and
the physician become reconciIed. The abbe
quits France. The atheist doctor weds the
duchess, who, as the bishop says, 4rnay in time
hiring him hack ,-aIfgio,,s 1o1;oe,,