R4SB2-7 & 
 OwiE 
 
OLD HOUSE ON THE BRIDGE 
 OF NOTRE DAME. 
 
 ^ Drama, 
 
 IN THEEE ACTS. 
 
 Adapted from the French of 
 
 THEODORE BARRIERE and HENRY DE KOCK. 
 
 THOMAS HAILES LACY, 
 
 89, STRAND, 
 
 ( Opposite Southampton Street , Covent Garden Market ), 
 
 LONDON. 
 
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4 
 
 OLD HOUSE ON THE BRIDGE. 
 
 COSTUMES— PERIOD, 1787. 
 
 Chevalier. — First Dress : Green riding frock, with cape, 
 trimmed with gold lace, white satin waistcoat, buff breeches, top 
 boots, powdered wig, and chapeau-bras sword. Second Dress : 
 Black velvet coat, waistcoat, breeches, stockings; sword; shoes 
 and buckles ; ruffles. 
 
 Constant. — Puce body coat, with light waistcoat, buckskin 
 pantaloons, top boots, round hat with broad brim, white cravat, 
 hair tied behind with a black ribbon. 
 
 Desormes. — A dress similar to that of the Chevalier, but of 
 different colours. 
 
 Guillot.- — Shabby black cloth coat, waistcoat, breeches, and 
 stockings ; dark hair tied in a short pigtail ; shoes and buckles : 
 three-cornered hat. 
 
 Renard.- — Brown square-cut coat, with long cuffs, long cloth 
 waistcoat, breeches, grey worsted stockings, shoes and buckles ; 
 hair in queue. 
 
 Jules. — Blue uniform coat, faced with red, epaulettes, black 
 cravat, buff waistcoat, with waistbelt, and regulation sword ; buff 
 breeches ; black military boots ; ruffles ; wig and powder ; cocked 
 hat. 
 
 Duchernin.— First Dress : Italian jacket, red vest, and sash; 
 coloured shirt, velveteen breeches, canvas leggings, with crossed 
 stripes of binding ; dark long hair ; and broad-brimmed hat. 
 Second Dress: Dark velvet coat; black satin waistcoat and 
 breeches, silk stockings and shoes ; powdered wig ; a gold-laced 
 three-cornered hat ; sword. 
 
 Antonin. — A dark blouse and trousers, red cap. 
 
 Servants. — Laced liveries. 
 
 Countess. — Satin open dress of the time ; powder. 
 
 Julie. — Elegant costume, similar to that of Pauline (“ Lady of 
 Lyons.”) 
 
 Louise & Mauviette. — Soubrette’s dresses of the time, apron 
 and cap. 
 
 Justine. — Dark dress, white kerchief crossed over the bosom, 
 coloured kerchief round the head ; long earrings. 
 
 Zoe. — White muslin dress, black sash across the bosom and tied 
 at the back ; gipsy liat. 
 
&4S>ft2.7& 
 
 OmE 
 
 
 lOTESTo 
 
 [ifr. Lacy's List.'] 
 
 
 OLD HOUSE ON THE BRIDGE. 
 
 ACT I. 
 
 Scene First. — The Tavern of the Weeping Willows — Interior of 
 rustic tavern — R. c., at back, a staircase leading to an upper 
 room — L. c. in flat , a door — near it, a window — both looking 
 on to high road — R. 2 E ., a large old-fashioned fireplace — 
 r, 1 e , a door, opening into a barn — L. 3 E., a door, leading to 
 a garden — near this last door, a buffet — beneath the roof of the 
 staircase, a clock — tables, stools, dec., R. c. 
 
 Guillot. ( without ) Here, house, holloa ! 
 
 Enter Guillot, door l. c. 
 
 Guil. Now, landlord, where are you ? Behold, a customer. 
 
 - Renard. {descending stairs from R.) Now, who are you? 
 
 Guil. I don’t acknowledge your right to the enquiry ; but* 
 as I am extremely proud of my profession, I have the pleasure 
 to inform you that I am a lawyer’s clerk — I have come to this 
 neighbourhood from Paris, on a little business, which I have 
 
 arranged with my accustomed talent, and now 
 
 Ren. Now, you had better return to Paris. 
 
 Guil. Not till I have refreshed my inner man — for your 
 country air has given me an enormous appetite. 
 
 Ren. (< aside ) Confusion — when it is so necessary that I 
 should be alone. 
 
 Guil. (i taking a chair) Of course, you haven’t much in the 
 house, so spread it all before me. 
 
 Ren. ( pulling chair away) I don’t serve customers to-day. 
 s : Guil. Well, you are a nice landlord of a tavern — you are. 
 
 But, 1 understand : you are short of provisions — nothing in the 
 house — it doesn’t signify, I must have it. 
 
 Ren. You shall, {taking the handle from a broom near staircase) 
 Guil. Is that tq make the pot boil ? 
 
 Ren. {shaking broom stick) No, ’tis to warm you. 
 
 Guil. What? {retreating) When a customer asks to be 
 served, do you always serve him out in this style ? 
 
6 
 
 OLD HOUSE ON THE BRIDGE. 
 
 [ACT I. 
 
 Ren. Are you still hungry? 
 
 Guil. No — I am not fond of such tough morsels. 
 
 Ren. Be off, then, and consider you have dined. 
 
 Guil. Yes — I have had quite enough — what’s to pay? 
 
 Ren. ( darting towards him) I’ll give you the score directly. 
 
 Guil. I don’t want it — stick it up — murder ! ( runs towards 
 door pursued by Renard) 
 
 Enter Desormes and Constant, door R. c. 
 
 Des. (l.) What’s here — fighting ? 
 
 Guil. Only a bit of a brush with the broom handle. I 
 wanted some refreshment, for I felt quite faint — and he thought, 
 I suppose, that would revive me. 
 
 Des. ( laughing ) I see, you are fond of a joke — eh y my friend? 
 
 Ren. (r.) What’s that to you? 
 
 Guil. ( behind Desormes) Isn’t he an unlicked bear — eh ? 
 I only wish I was able to lick him. 
 
 Ren. What ? ( threatens Guillot, who runs behind table) 
 
 Guil. Put that broomstick in your pocket, or I’ll bring an 
 action against you. 
 
 Des. Come, come, landlord — spread the table. 
 
 Ren. {roughly) There is nothing to eat here. 
 
 Guil. {who has opened the buffet , drawing forth a dish) Isn't 
 there — then how about this magnificent knuckle of ham ? 
 
 Ren. Ugh ! {throws broom handle at Guillot) 
 
 Guil. Mind what you are about, {ducking) Suppose you 
 had broken the dish ? 
 
 Ren. {aside) Three of them — ’tis no use now — and, after 
 all, it will be some hours yet before the chevalier arrives. 
 {aloud) Since you will not suffer me to be master in my own 
 house, do as you please — sit down, eat, drink — and choke 
 yourselves ! 
 
 Des. Thank you. 
 
 Guil. We are very much obliged to you. 
 
 Ren. But you may wait upon yourselves, for I have other 
 fish to fry. 
 
 Guil. When they are nicely cooked, bring ’em here. 
 
 (Renard hurries off \ door l. 3 e. — Desormes and Guillot 
 laugh) 
 
 Des. A very strange tavern. 
 
 Guil. And a devilish queer landlord : but look here — 
 ham, sausages, cheese — and he called all these nothing — now 
 we only want the wine— ah, here is a bottle. ( bringing it from 
 buffet ) — only half full ! 
 
 Des. That would not do for three. 
 
 Guil. It would not do for one — that is — {indicating himself) 
 — this one ; but where’s the cellar — of course there’s a cellar — 
 
ACT I.] OLD HOUSE ON THE BRIDGE. 7 
 
 must be one cellar to three buyers — eh, ha, ha, ha ! ( walking 
 about and looking up) The cellar— whereabouts is the cellar? 
 
 Des. (i laughing ) Not in the garret, I should imagine. 
 
 Guil. Well, I don’t know — these peasants are so far behind 
 the age. 
 
 Des. ( putting his hand to a ring in the floor , and raising a 
 trap) What do you call this, my friend ? 
 
 Guil. Well, if I were called on for my evidence, I should 
 say it was a cellar. {finding a vnne basket under the staircase) 
 And if I fill this, we shall do to begin with, {lighting a lamp) 
 Don’t disturb yourselves, I’ll attend to the wine department. 
 {descends with lamp and basket — Desormes closes trap — Guillot 
 immediately thrusts his head up) No, no ; leave it a little open 
 — don’t cut me quite off from the upper world ! (Desormes 
 keeps trap partly open with broom) 
 
 Des. There ! 
 
 Guil. {disappearing) Beautiful! 
 
 Des. So, Constant, there you are, as always, in a profound 
 reverie ; and I proposed our ride into the country, in the hope 
 that ’twould enliven you. 
 
 Con. Yes, dear friend, I am most ungrateful for your 
 generous care. 
 
 Des. Well, come, let us talk of Julie. 
 
 Con. No, Desormes; if you wish I should be gay, we 
 must not speak of her, nor of myself. 
 
 Des. Sceptic ! your mistress loves you, and you can doubt 
 that the universe is all your own ! 
 
 Con. You forgot, then, the man who, every moment, is 
 expected to arrive ? 
 
 Des. Ah! this Jules de Lavergne — oh no, I never forget. 
 
 Con. Well, then, if Julie now, persuaded by Madame de 
 Latour, should believe herself compelled to obey the last wish 
 of the Count? 
 
 Des. Which was assuredly for the happiness of Julie, and 
 it should be your duty to realize that wish. This Jules do 
 Lavergne should consider himself sufficiently fortunate in 
 succeeding to the Count de Latour’s wealth — to which, indeed, 
 he had no claim, and could have had no hope. 
 
 Con. No hope? 
 
 Des. Certainly not, for he is Madame de Latour’s son by 
 her first marriage ; and his father had another, though an ille- 
 gitimate son, of whom the Count, just dead, was very fond, for 
 he had once, ’tis said, been much attached to that boy’s mother. 
 
 Con. And this illegitimate son 
 
 Des. Was stolen when a mere lad from the Count’s guardian- 
 ship, who had adopted him, and there was good proof that the 
 boy’s own father was the cause of his disappearance. 
 
8 
 
 OLD HOUSE ON THE BRIDGE. 
 
 [ACT I. 
 
 Con. And wherefore ? 
 
 Des. Fearing that he would one day interfere with the 
 rights of his legitimate son. 
 
 Con. And what became of him ? 
 
 Des. All trace of him was lost for years, and then came the 
 report that he was dead. 
 
 Con. Poor boy ! 
 
 Des. And now, courage — for there is yet a hope for you, of 
 which you have not thought. 
 
 Con. Say you 
 
 Des. Yes ; may it not be that Monsieur de Lavergne will 
 feel no love for Julie ? 
 
 Con. Oh! 
 
 Des. Ah, yes ! I know that Julie is very pretty — very 
 fascinating ; but Monsieur de Lavergne has resided since his 
 infancy amongst female mulattos — brown women, black women, 
 — in short, women of all colours, and his perverted taste may 
 see no beauty in the white woman whose charms you worship. 
 
 Con. And though I really should have naught to dread 
 from Monsieur de Lavergne — what, then, have I not another 
 and a formidable rival ? 
 
 Des. You mean the Chevalier de Latour, a worthless scamp ! 
 — my dear friend, only inform me, should he grow too trouble- 
 some, and I will crop him of his ears — they shall be my 
 wedding present to you. 
 
 Guil. ( ascending trap ) Holloa! hold up, please. You 
 thought me long gone, didn’t you ; but the fact is, that in that 
 cellar there are a great many bundles of faggots and very few 
 bottles of wine, {closing trap) 
 
 Des. Eeally very sorry, sir, so greatly to fatigue you. 
 
 Guil. Not at all fatiguing to carry full bottles — it’s only the 
 empty ones that feel heavy. ( placing basket near table) These 
 have something to say for themselves — so, if you please, 
 gentlemen, we will at once commence the trial, and examine 
 the witnesses. 
 
 Des. But, first, of course, it is understood that my friend 
 and I pay all expenses of the feast. 
 
 Guil. I shall not object — I don’t wish you to think that I 
 am proud and disagreeable. 
 
 Des. And now, as some introduction is really necessary, this 
 is Monsieur Constant Devreux. 
 
 Guil. {with a start of surprise) Ah ! 
 
 Des. Eh ? 
 
 Guil. Nothing. 
 
 Des. Oh ! {continuing) A talented and rising artist, (Con- 
 stant and Guillot bow — Desqrmes bowing to GuiLLOT) I 
 am called Victor Desormes, 
 
9 
 
 ACT I.] OLD HOUSE ON THE BRIDGE. 
 
 Guil. (starting as before) Ah ! 
 
 Des. Eh? 
 
 Guil. Nothing. 
 
 Des. Oh ! my profession ? cherished friend of Monsieur 
 Constant Devreux. 
 
 Guil. I, gentlemen, am simply called Crustalie Guillaume 
 Pierre Edward Francis Guillot — by profession a Parisian, and 
 by birth a lawyer’s clerk. 
 
 Des. ( laughing ) Your health, Monsieur Lawyer’s Clerk ! 
 
 Con. Your health, sir. 
 
 Guil. As aforesaid, (all drink , then sit and commence eating 
 — a short silence — Guillot, his mouth full) What harmony in 
 the rattle of knives and forks — no music can equal it, not even 
 the enchanting strains of the delicious hurdy-gurdy ! 
 
 Des. (laughing) ’Tis clear you can play a good tune on 
 these instruments. 
 
 Guil. Well, the fact is, 1 was born on a solemn fast-day, 
 and I have been hungry ever since. 
 
 Des. (offering it) A small piece of sausage ? 
 
 Guil. No, I should prefer a large piece. 
 
 DfA. (filling Guillot’s glass) You are a bachelor? 
 
 Guil. (drinking) I was till I married. 
 
 Des. Oh, you are married ? 
 
 Guil. To a charming creature — only recently, because I 
 was always too bashful to pop the question, (fills a/nd drinks) 
 
 Des. (laughing) Bashful ! you, a lawyer’s clerk ! 
 
 Guil. (a little flushed) It does seem droll, doesn’t it ; but I 
 am not at all bashful though, now I am married — no, I assure 
 you. Let me see, I don’t think I have had a glass of wine 
 lately, (fills and drinks) 
 
 Des. And your wife 
 
 Guil. Ah, ah, my gay spark — ’tis no use to cross-examine 
 me on that point, (filling his glass) To your health, my 
 adorable Mauviette ! (drinks) 
 
 Des. Ah ! (aside) Formerly in the service of the Countess 
 de Latour. (raising his glass) To the adorable Mauviette ! 
 
 Guil. Eh ? how did you know her name ? 
 
 Des. You have this instant pronounced it. 
 
 Guil. (tipsy) Did I ! — I wasn’t aware of it. She has a 
 beautiful shop — a choice variety of flowers. 
 
 Des. The Temple of Flora, on the bridge of Notre-Dame ! 
 
 Guil. Now, who could possibly have told you that ? 
 
 Des. Who, but Monsieur Guillot himself? 
 
 Guil. Guillot— who’s he, eh? Oh, that’s me — and did I 
 really 
 
 Des. Certainly. 
 
 Guil. (very tipsy) Well, it doesn’t matter ; you are too 
 
OLD HOUSE ON THE BRIDGE. 
 
 10 
 
 [act I. 
 
 drunk to remember anything about it. (Constant rises and 
 goes slowly off \ door , L. c.) 
 
 Des. You are a happy man, master Guillot. 
 
 Guil. Ah, it’s no use, you are trying to pump me, but it 
 won’t do. 
 
 Des. ( placing Ms foot on the wine basket on which Guillot 
 is seated) Once more to the health of the lovely Mauviette ! 
 
 Guil. Take your foot off my basket, will you ? 
 
 Des. I drink to her beautiful blue eyes— her rosy lips ! 
 
 Guil. {drinks) Mauviette’s blue lips and rosy eyes — hooray ! 
 (Desormes laughs) Take your basket off my foot, will you ? 
 But I won’t be angry, for you are so drunk you don’t know 
 what you are about. Oh, oh, dear ! I feel so poorly — no, T 
 don’t ; it’s you — you are poorly, for you keep turning round 
 and round, {laughing) Mind what you are about, old boy! or 
 you’ll roll overboard in a minute — stop, won’t you — there you 
 go — there you are — ha, ha, ha ! (Desormes removes his foot 
 from the basket — it upsets with Guillot, who holds the basket in 
 his arms , lays his head upon it, and goes to sleep — Desormes 
 laughs heartily) 
 
 Re-enter Constant, door , l. c. 
 
 Con. Come, Victor, the weather is threatening — already 
 some heavy drops of rain have fallen, {seeing Guillot) Oh, 
 Desormes, what have you done ? 
 
 Des. {laughing) Nothing — he did it himself. We will first 
 
 pay the bill, and then {placing money on the table) But 
 
 the lawyer’s clerk ? 
 
 Con. We cannot leave him thus. 
 
 Des. No, decidedly ; for the landlord’s broomstick — and yet 
 we cannot carry him with us. Ah ! stay a moment, {ascends 
 stairs , R., and looks into room) A chamber with a bed in it. 
 {descending) That will do, capitally. 
 
 Con. H ow ! you would ? 
 
 Des. Why not? I will place him on yonder bed, the key on 
 the inside of the door, and he will be able to finish his sleep — 
 should he be disturbed, there is a window not more than ten 
 feet from the ground, at the utmost, {raising Guillot, and 
 lugging him up the stairs) Come, Master Guillot, wake up for 
 h^tlf a moment. 
 
 Guil. {asleep) I never mentioned your name, Mauviette — 
 that Monsieur Desormes is a drunken rascal. 
 
 Des. {making him walk) Everybody knows that. 
 
 Guil. He’s never sober. 
 
 Des. {laughing) You are quite right. 
 
 Guil. In consequence of being always drunk. My dear 
 
11 
 
 ACT I.] OLD HOUSE. ON THE BRIDGE. 
 
 Mauviette — {embracing Desormes) — be proud of me — you’ve 
 got a steady husband, {they exeunt into room ) 
 
 Con. {at back) There will be a terrible storm, {calling) 
 Desormes ! hasten, hasten ! 
 
 Des. {leaving room , and descending stairs) My friend, the 
 lawyer’s clerk, could not possibly be more snug in his own house. 
 
 Con. Come on, then. 
 
 Des. Ay — {at door) — faith, it will be a rare night — we shall 
 be perfectly drenched. Exeunt , door , l. c. 
 
 A short pause. — Enter Renard, l. 3 E. 
 
 Ren. Ah ! no longer here. 1 feared that I should find them 
 still carousing — now for a light, {lights a lamp , and sees bottles) 
 Why, they have emptied my cellar — ah ! {sees money on table , 
 and clutches it eagerly) Good. I saw, just now, a man on 
 horseback, galloping this way across the plain. ( hastily arrang- 
 ing bottles , &c.) And it was, no doubt {six o'" clock strikes) 
 
 Six o’clock — the hour. Had those fellows delayed a minute 
 longer — {music — he listens ) — I was not mistaken — it is the 
 Chevalier. 
 
 Enter Chevalier de Latour, door l. c.— Renard bows. 
 
 Lat. You are alone? 
 
 Ren. Perfectly. 
 
 Lat. ’Tis well. Say, Renard, you are still devoted to me ; 
 blindly devoted, as formerly you were. 
 
 Ren. Yes, Chevalier. 
 
 Lat. Good. A man will presently be here, who, alive, 
 must never quit this house. 
 
 Ren. A duel? 
 
 Lat. {sternly) What else, think you ? Have you ever known 
 me commit assassination ! (Renard is about to speak) Enough 
 — listen to me, and you will learn the motive which now is 
 stirring me. You will remember, that eighteen years ago, when 
 first I took you into my service, after having rescued you from 
 the gallows 
 
 Ren. Chevalier! 
 
 Lat. At that epoch, you will remember, I was about to 
 quit Paris, because my brother, the Count de Latour, was 
 on the point of being married, and his purse, which till then 
 had been ever as my own, was suddenly closed against me. I 
 wandered over foreign countries, for twelve long years, and 
 then returned to France. You, according to your wishes, I 
 installed here — I, once more, became an inmate of my brother’s 
 mansion — and there, I waited — and with good reason, hoped — 
 for eighteen years of marriage had brought no child to the Count 
 and Countess de Latour. The Countess, already a widow when 
 my brother espoused her, possessed, certainly, a son by her first 
 
12 
 
 OLD HOUSE ON THE BRIDGE. 
 
 [ACT I. 
 
 marriage, but that boy, sent early from his mother, and exiled 
 to the Antilles, by the jealous love of the Count, I believed 
 I had no cause to dread, should my brother, whose health was 
 always delicate, choose to die. 
 
 Ken. Well, Chevalier? 
 
 Lat. AVell, Renard, I was mistaken. 
 
 Ren. Ah ! 
 
 Lat. The Count is dead; and this son, this Jules de 
 Lavergne, inherits all his wealth, his titles — and to this Jules 
 de Lavergne is promised the woman I have sworn I will possess. 
 
 Ren. 1 understand — proceed. 
 
 Lat. Hark! ( listening ) Heard you nothing? 
 
 Ren. Some one is approaching the house. 
 
 Lat. Oh! {hurrying to the door t and calling out) Monsieur 
 de Lavergne, is it you? 
 
 Lavergne. {without) Yes. 
 
 Ren. (i terrified ) He, here? 
 
 Lave. Hush — be calm — you asked me for the denouement of 
 this history — it is approaching, and will be terrible. 
 
 Enter Jules de Lavergne, door l. c. — in plain , but elegant 
 
 travelling costume — has a large cloak ) 'which he throws on to a 
 
 seat — bows to Latour. 
 
 Lai. ( bowing ) Rough weather, Monsieur de Lavergne. You 
 surely came not here on foot ? 
 
 Lave. No, sir ; a hacknev carriage brought me to the village, 
 but could not be persuaded to proceed a step beyond it. 
 
 Lat. And not without trouble, I’ll be sworn, did you find 
 this tavern. (Renard has closed the door — lights a second lamp) 
 On your arrival in Paris, Monsieur de Lavergne, where did 
 you alight ? 
 
 Lave. At the White Horse Hotel, Porte Saint Honord ; 
 but, may I ask if ’tis to the Chevalier de Latour 
 
 Lat. You now are speaking? No, Monsieur, no; the 
 Chevalier, much against his will, has been detained in Paris, 
 by a very pressing matter, but he will soon be here ; and in 
 the meantime, he has desired me, his very intimate friend, to 
 discourse with you concerning the important secret he has to 
 divulge to you. 
 
 Lave. You know then that secret — know the cause of this 
 mysterious appointment. I am here, because the affectionate 
 letters which during the last three months I have received from 
 the Chevalier have disposed me to obey his wishes, even his 
 commands ; besides, I shall soon be to him, in some sort, his 
 nearest relative. But if, after a long and perilous voyage, 
 arrived at last in France, in Paris, within a few paces of my 
 mother, whom for ten years I have not beheld — if I have had 
 
OLD HOUSE ON THE BRIDGE. 
 
 13 
 
 ACT I.] 
 
 the strength to obey the Chevalier, a sincere friend as I believe, 
 and to hurry hither immediately instead of flying to that dear 
 house where so lovingly I am expected, surely you will confess 
 I have earned the right to exact the reward of my great 
 sacrifice. 
 
 (Latour bows — the rain is heard falling heavily — Renard 
 is L., watching and listening eagerly — Guillot quietly 
 puts his head out at the door on top of staircase) 
 
 Lat. Your curiosity, Monsieur de Lavergne, is very natural ; 
 and, in the name of Monsieur de Latour, I am prepared to 
 satisfy it. 
 
 Guil. Where the devil am I ? Two men — but they are not 
 — eh, there’s old Broomstick — oh, lord ! ( disappears , closing door) 
 
 Lat. l^et — will you permit me a few preliminary questions? 
 
 Lave. Oh, certainly. 
 
 Lat. Yonder, whence you came, you loved, and not without 
 return ? 
 
 Lave. Yes; with my entire soul I loved a noble and a 
 beautiful young girl named Zoe de la Roche. 
 
 Lat. ’Tis unfortunate then, that your mother has already 
 disposed of your hand. 
 
 Lave. It is not possible ! 
 
 Lat. Yes ; to a grand-niece — her name, Julie de Mornay. 
 
 Lave, {overwhelmed) I wed with another than Zoe — oh, never ! 
 
 Lat. ( approaching Lavergne) If I could give you means 
 to evade the maternal will and to espouse the woman that you 
 love? 
 
 Lave, [grasping Latour’s hand) Eh, speak ! 
 
 Lat. You love Zoe de la Roche beyond the world ? 
 
 Lave. Beyond the world ! 
 
 Lat. More than fortune ? 
 
 Lave. Oh, without her, what were fortune ! 
 
 Lat. Better than honor — titles ? 
 
 Lave. Better than my life ! 
 
 Lat. [slowly) Better than you love your mother ? 
 
 Lave. Oh, sir, that question 
 
 Lat. Reply to it. 
 
 Lave What can I answer? For me, my mother is the 
 future ; but all the past is Zoe. 
 
 Lat. In a word, at every price you would preserve your love ? 
 
 Lave. At every price. 
 
 Lat. There is then but one way by which you may avoid a 
 marriage determinedly resolved on. 
 
 Lave. Speak! 
 
 Lat. You will quit Paris this very night, and without seeking 
 to embrace your mother. 
 
 B 
 
14 
 
 OLD HOUSE ON THE BRIDGE. [ACT I. 
 
 Lave, {starting) Not embrace my mother ! Proceed. 
 
 Lat. And in two days you will reach Havre. A month 
 hence you will be in Martinique — and, once there — you will 
 write to the Countess de Latour, that —preferring the woman 
 that you love to a great name and a large fortune 
 
 Lave. I renounce that name — that fortune. 
 
 Lat. Precisely. 
 
 Lave. And then 
 
 Lat. In exchange for that letter, the Chevalier de Latour 
 again becomes the heir of his mother, engages himself 
 
 Lave. To give me a sum of money — is it not so ? 
 
 Lat. Yes ; or to settle on you, during your lifetime, an 
 \ income which you yourself shall fix. 
 
 Lave. And these generous propositions, which in the name 
 of Monsieur de Latour you now make to me — should I reject 
 them ? 
 
 Lat. {threateningly) Reject them ! {checking himself) But, 
 no, you will not, I hope, reject them. 
 
 Lave. Nevertheless say, were your hopes frustrated, what 
 would you do ? 
 
 Lat. What would I do ? 
 
 Lave. Yes. 
 
 Lat. {hurriedly placing himself before door , L. c., and drawing 
 his sword) I would kill you, Monsieur de Lavergne ! 
 
 Lave, {also drawing sword) You are then the Chevalier 
 de Latour ? 
 
 Lat. Yes. 
 
 Lave. And you lied, when in your letters you called yourself 
 my friend ? 
 
 Lat., Yes. 
 
 Lave. The Chevalier de Latour, who would kill me, that he 
 alone might inherit the wealth and titles of his brother ? 
 
 Lat. Yes, yes. 
 
 Lave, {placing himself on guard) Well, then, kill me ! 
 
 Lat. Come, then, since you will have it so. {they fight — the 
 storm without grows louder — Latour is touched in the hand ; his 
 sword falls to the ground) 
 
 Lave. You are wounded ! {walking from him) 
 
 Lat. A mere scratch, and I will kill you yet. {rushing 
 suddenly on Lavergne, and running him through the body) Now ! 
 
 Lave, {staggering) Ah ! assassin ! 
 
 Ren. {terrified) Oh ! 
 
 Lat. {stammering) Renard, he — he would have killed me ! 
 (Lavergne falls to the ground) 
 
 Lave. Assassin ! assassin ! Ah, mother ! Zoe ! (Latour in 
 great terror watches Lavergne’s movements — Renard has 
 shrunk back near the fireplace — the storm increases — Latour 
 
15 
 
 ACT I.] OLD HOUSE ON THE BRIDGE. 
 
 darts towards Lavergne, and places Ms hand on Layergne t s 
 heart) 
 
 Lat. Dead ! 
 
 Ren. Dead ! 
 
 Guil. ( looking from door, R on stairs) Dead ! 
 
 Lat. ( hastily rising) Ah ! did you not hear ? ( pointing up) 
 
 There is some one yonder. 
 
 Ren. (; trembling ) No, no— impossible ! 
 
 Lat. I must be well assured. ( seizes lamp and hurries up- 
 stairs, and into room a moment — -and he re~appears and descends) 
 No one ; that room is empty — beyond doubt, an echo. 
 
 Ren. Yes, an echo — or the soul of Jules de Lavergne, 
 which cursed us as it upward flew. 
 
 Lat. He would have it so ! ( stoops over Lavergne’s body, 
 
 and then recoils with terror) Oh ! his eyes still glare upon me — - 
 still threaten me — I dare not — but, his papers ! I must have 
 them— courage, then ! {searches the body) A pocket-book, 
 letters — mine and those of the Countess — the portraits of hia 
 
 mother and of {with terror) Oh ! the eyes, too, of these — 
 
 they unnerve me ! {giving all to Renard) Burn them — burn 
 them, Renard ! I no longer see anything 
 
 Ren. Let me have them, {about to throw them into the fire , 
 suddenly stops — aside) No ! ( having assured himself that he is 
 
 not seen by Latour, he throws some branches on the fire, and 
 thrusts pocket-book, dc,, into his pockets* — the fire blazes suddenly , 
 which causes Latour to raise his head) Your orders, Chevalier, 
 are executed. 
 
 Lat. ’Tis well. 
 
 Ren {pointing to body) And now, what shall we do with 
 
 Lat. {mildly) What do? a deep stream flows past your 
 door, but — no, no ; to-morrow some fishermen — Lark ! Renard, 
 heard you not footsteps without ? 
 
 Ren. {listening) No, it is the wind amongst the branches. 
 
 Lat. {seeing trap) Ah! what is that ? 
 
 Ren. A cellar — a wood house. 
 
 Lat. {taking the ring) Assist me ! 
 
 Ren. But, some one may discover— — 
 
 Lat. {pointedly) You said that wood is there ? 
 
 Ren. You wish, then 
 
 Lat. Since you are about to quit this tavern, you must not 
 expose it to the chance of falling into bad hands — come! 
 {together they raise the body and place it down trap) 
 
 Ren. {re-closing trap) Poor fellow ! so handsome and brave 
 a lad ! 
 
 Lat. Enough — I leave you now — and remember, I shall 
 expect you to-morrow in Paris, at the late Count’s mansion. 
 
 Ren. I shall not forget. 
 
16 
 
 OLD HOUSE ON THE BRIDGE. 
 
 [ACT I. 
 
 Lat. And before you quit this house, you know 
 
 Ren. (in a sombre tone ) Yes ; I fire it ! 
 
 Lat. Adieu ! Goes off, door l. c. 
 
 Ren. (going to door, and looking after Latour) He is gone 
 —his horse is rapidly taking him from this spot, (closes door 
 and comes forward) Oh! no, I will not stop another hour 
 within this cursed house, (shuddering as lie passes near cellar) 
 Horrible ! horrible ! let me hasten hence, (taking an old port- 
 manteau, his cloak and hat) But, first, the fire to the building. 
 (takes a burning brand from the fire — a knock at the door — he 
 throws the brand back on to the fire) 
 
 Enter Duchernin, door L. c. 
 
 Duch. Here’s weather for a dog — hi, my friend ! 
 
 Ren. (retreating, terrified) Ah! (clings to table, to save himself 
 from falling, and gazes wildly on Duchernin) 
 
 Duch. (gaily) Why, man, what is the matter, that you thus 
 glare on me — do you take me for a thief? Don’t be alarmed — 
 1 am a respectable man, but very cold, and ask only for a glass 
 of wine and a seat by your fire, for which 1 will pay. (going 
 towards fireplace and seating himself) Here is the fire, and you 
 will let me have the wine. 
 
 Ren. (aside) Strange! strange ! the same features — the same 
 age — the same voice. 
 
 Duch. (turning towards Renard) Ah ! still there — and 
 glaring on me. Do you take me for a ghost? (rising, and 
 going towards Renard, who sinks on to a stool) In that case, 
 give me your hand, that I may prove to you that I am really 
 a living man. (Renard, in great terror , gives his hand, shrinking 
 beneath the other's touch) * 
 
 Duch. (laughing) Well! now you are certain, are you not, 
 that I am solid flesh and blood. 
 
 Ren. Yes, yes. (aside) Oh! how wonderful the resemblance ! 
 and shall 1 not profit by it ? Ah, Chevalier, you are not yet 
 Count de Latour ! (going over to Duchernin, who is again 
 seated by the fire) Who are you ? 
 
 Duch. Nobody. 
 
 Ren. What are you? 
 
 Duch. Nothing. 
 
 Ren. You have, at least, a name ? 
 
 Duch. Duchernin. 
 
 Ren. Where were you born ? 
 
 Duch. I have no idea — only know that I was reared amongst 
 Bohemians, Turks, Moors, and I know not what else. 
 
 Ren. Whence came you? 
 
 Duch. From everywhere. 
 
 Ren. Whither go you. 
 
17 
 
 ACT I.] OLD HOUSE ON THE BRIDGE. 
 
 Duch. To Paris. 
 
 Ren. For what purpose ? 
 
 Duch. In search of fortune. 
 
 Ren. Good. I will find it for you ! 
 
 Duch. I wish you would, (i laughing ) ’Twould save me a 
 deal of trouble. 
 
 Ren. Were you ever at Guadaloupe or Guinana ? 
 
 Duch. Oh, yes ; and at Martinique also — for nearly two 
 months an inmate of Fort Royal. 
 
 Ren. {joyfully) Glorious ! Aud you have no relations, no 
 family ? 
 
 Duch. My family has always consisted of a poor woman, 
 who never since my infancy has quitted me, a good old gitana, 
 whom I called mother, and who called me son — but I was not 
 her son— she told me that when about to leave me. 
 
 Ren. And what has become of that woman ? 
 
 Duch. She is dead, {wiping his eyes) Poor soul. 
 
 Ren. ( joyfully , aside) Good ! {aloud) Now, listen. I have 
 something bold and daring to propose to you. 
 
 Duch. Ah ! but ere you speak it, I warn you, that Bohemian 
 as I am, I have no bad action to reproach myself with, and 
 would not commit a crime for the wealth of all tfye world. 
 
 Ren. Not to commit, but to repair a crime would I employ 
 you —I swear it. 
 
 Duch. Enough — speak ! 
 
 Ren. {going to trap and raising it) Behold ! 
 
 Duch. {looking down and then shrinking hack horror-stricken) 
 A man assassinated — eh ! 
 
 Ren. Silence — presently you shall be told the name of the 
 murderer. Now look again — nay, you must. Whom does that 
 man resemble ? 
 
 Duch. {looking down trap , with great surprise) Yes, yes — oh, 
 I can now understand your terror at my aspect ; and I can 
 guess now the part that you would have me play. 
 
 Ren. Well? 
 
 Duch. I refuse. 
 
 Ren. Ah ! 
 
 Duch. Yes, I will confess that I have longed for wealth, for 
 all the joys of home and relatives to love me — joys impossible 
 to purchase by a vile deception — and even though they could 
 be so obtained, I swear at such a price I would not have them. 
 
 Ren. I have told you there is a criminal to punish — there 
 is also a mother to rescue from despair. 
 
 Duch. A mother, say you ? 
 
 Ren. You have never known, can never know your mother. 
 Come with me then, and to-morrow a mother will press you to 
 her heart, and in return for her caresses, you may be, if so you 
 will, the blessing and the solace of her life. 
 
18 
 
 OLD HOUSE ON THE BRIDGE. 
 
 [ACT I. 
 
 Duch. (< agitated) Oh ! tempter ! tempter ! 
 
 Hen. And that is not all ! Listen ; there is with the 
 Countess de Latour a young and beautiful girl, whom she has 
 reared and educated, and whom she has destined for her son’s 
 bride — for the wife of Jules de Lavergne, of whom you are the 
 living image. Now decide ! 
 
 Duch. ( looking towards trap) Poor mother ! a heavy sorrow 
 would be spared her. 
 
 Ren. Well? 
 
 Duch. May heaven pardon me if I am doing wrong — but I 
 —I am yours. Command me. 
 
 Ren. {joy f idly) Ah ! {giving him Jules’s hat and cloak) 
 Take then these. 
 
 Duch. {hesitating) But 
 
 Ren. And now, my young companion, let us forward. 
 
 Duch. Whither go we, then ? 
 
 Ren. To Paris, Monsieur Jules de Lavergne; to the White 
 Horse Hotel, Porte Saint Honor e, where your luggage is 
 deposited. 
 
 Duch. But, by the way, you will explain to me. 
 
 Ren. Everything ! Is not my interest equally concerned 
 with your own. Besides, we have a whole night before us for 
 arrangements.* {pushing him towards door) Go on, then. 
 (Renard takes his hat with one hand , ivith the other hand snatches 
 a burning brand from the fire) 
 
 Duch. {turning) What is it that you do ? 
 
 Ren. Having no further occasion for this tavern, I am about 
 to burn it ! {throws brand into the barn , R. 2 E. then rejoins 
 Duchernin who has remained at back) Now, away ! away ! 
 
 Hurries off with Duchernin, r. c. door. 
 
 Enter Guillot, from room above , and descends clinging convul- 
 sively to the banisters. 
 
 Guil. I’m a witness for the prosecution. Oh ! it’s all 
 through having a drop too much. Those murdering rascals 
 ought to be hanged half a dozen times. They could never 
 have a drop too much. And that Bohemian is going to take 
 the place of the poor dead fellow down here, {the fire bursts 
 forth from the barn) Oh, oh ! the house is on fire. Oh ! they 
 want to burn the body, and they’ll burn my body. Oh ! 
 {falling on his knees) and there’s no engine to pump on me. 
 {the fire increases) And my internals are full of smoke, and 
 where there’s smoke there’s fire. Oh ! pump, pump, pump ! — 
 put me out, put me out. Oh ! oh ! oh ! {falls on his face , 
 kicking and raving — the fire rages) 
 
 END OP THE FIRST ACT. 
 
ACT II.] OLD HOUSE ON THE BRIDGE. 
 
 19 
 
 ACT II. 
 
 Scene.— A Garden . R. 3 e., a pavilion — l. 3 e., tufts of flowers , 
 shadowed hy large trees — at hack , a terrace looking on to a 
 street — in the wall , L. c., a small door- — L. 1 e., an arbour 
 covered with climbing plants — garden chairs , C. and L. — 
 entrance to house , L. 3 E. 
 
 Enter Julie de Mornay and Louise, l. 
 
 Louise Do not be afraid, mademoiselle — there is no one 
 here. The Chevalier, I know, is not in his pavilion, for I saw 
 him leave the mansion awhile since on horseback. And what 
 though he were here? we have good right to walk in this 
 garden. 
 
 Julie. Yes, yes — but I 
 
 Louise. You do not like him. Now, if you had expected to 
 find here 
 
 ( knocking without , at garden door) 
 Louise. Ah ! I understand that signal — and so do you, eh, 
 mademoiselle ? Shall I open the door ? 
 
 Julie. It would not, I think, be prudent. 
 
 Louise. Oh, very well — then of course I won’t. 
 
 Julie. But if you think that 
 
 Louise. Oh, you dear little hypocrite ! 
 
 Julie. If you think that — that you had better open the 
 door 
 
 Louise. Why, of course I do — and of course I will. If it is 
 a sin I will take it to myself, and add it to my already rather 
 long list. So we will suppose that I open the door in spite of 
 you — and that you have no power to prevent my doing as I 
 think proper. ( opens garden door) 
 
 Enter Constant and Desormes, l., at door . 
 
 Const. Oh, thanks, dear Julie, flurrying to her, R.) 
 
 Des. (i to Louise, l.) And now, you and I will make love 
 together. 
 
 Louise. How agreeable you do make yourself. 
 
 Des. Observe those — and we should always follow a good 
 example. 
 
 Louise. Have you any idea of soliciting my hand in marriage? 
 Des. (i laughing ) Not the thousandth part of an idea of any- 
 thing of the sort, my angel ! 
 
 Louise. Then allow me to say, monsieur, that under such 
 circumstances, making love would be a horrible waste of time. 
 Julie. Monsieur Desormes, we have need of your counsel. 
 Des. {to Louise) Then, my angel, will you be our sentinel 
 
20 OLD HOUSE ON THE BRIDGE. [ACT II. 
 
 for a little while. ( hissing her) There — I have given you the 
 countersign. 
 
 Louise, {aside) What a pity he is not a marrying man. 
 
 Eocit, Li . 
 
 Des. {talcing an arm of each of the others) Now let us 
 conspire desperately and speedily. But first let us understand 
 our precise situation. 
 
 Julie. Alas ! that is but too easily understood. Monsieur 
 Jules de Lavergne will arrive this very day — almost im- 
 mediately. 
 
 Con. And they would compel you to become his wife. 
 
 Des. {to Julie) And we do not love him 
 
 Julie. No. 
 
 Des. Because we love another. 
 
 Julie, {lowering her eyes) Yes. 
 
 Des. Who adores us ? 
 
 Con. {tenderly) Yes. 
 
 Des. And very proper too ; but now — let us see — have you 
 any fixed plan ? 
 
 Julie. Alas ! no — and I am greatly embarrassed : for if I 
 refuse to accede to the desires of Madame de Latour — desires 
 which were also those of the Count — if I reject the hand of 
 Monsieur de Lavergne, certainly my aunt will accuse me of 
 ingratitude. She has always been so good, so generous to me. 
 
 Con. {quickly) And therefore, dear Julie, for her own sake 
 yon must not suffer the Countess in one day to destroy the 
 work of several years. 
 
 Des. {aside) Hem ! hem ! that is rather a knavish piece of 
 reasoning — but never mind, {aloud) For the first step, Monsieur 
 de Lavergne must be told the whole truth. 
 
 Con. But who will undertake to 
 
 Des. I — to both of you a faithful and devoted friend — the 
 desire to serve you will give me eloquence ; and when I have 
 stated all our case, trust me that Monsieur de Lavergne will 
 become one of our most powerful allies. 
 
 Julie, {to Desormes) Be it then as you propose — and in 
 advance receive my thanks. 
 
 Des. You appoint me then your ambassador? 
 
 Julie. Yes, monsieur. 
 
 Des. Deign then to honour me with my credentials, {respect- 
 fully raises her hand whicli ) on a sign from him , Constant 
 presses to his lips) He is secretary to the embassy. 
 
 Louise runs on , l. 
 
 Louise. Sorry to interrupt, for I shouldn’t like it myself, 
 but really you must now {goes up to garden door) 
 
 Des. Come, then, let us go. 
 
21 
 
 ACT II.] OLD HOUSE ON THE BRIDGE. 
 
 Con. We soon shall meet again, Julie. 
 
 Julie. Oh, yes, yes. Exit Constant, l. door. 
 
 Des. (, following ) Louise — I have something to say to you. 
 
 Louise. Yes. 
 
 Des. You are a very charming girl. Exit , L. door. 
 
 Louise. Psha ! I thought he was about to tell me something 
 I was not aware of. Mademoiselle, the Chevalier has returned 
 — and, talking of the Chevalier, have you not observed, that 
 for several days he has looked so queer and agitated — especially 
 yesterday at dinner time — everything he swallowed seemed to 
 go the wrong way. 
 
 Julie. Whatever may be the cause, I congratulate myself 
 that for the last two days the Chevalier has spared me those 
 attentions with which hitherto he had so importuned me. 
 
 Louise. Another proof that something is wrong with him. 
 
 The door in the wall , l. opens and Zoe de la Roche partly 
 enters and looks eagerly towards the mansion , l. 
 
 Louise. ( seeing her) Eh? — then I did not quite shut the 
 door — and there’s the consequence. Look, Mademoiselle ! 
 
 Julie, {turning) Ah! 
 
 Louise. Well, I’m sure! like her impudence to look about 
 her in that style. I shall go and warn her off the premises. 
 
 Julie, {stopping her) No, Louise, no ; she is evidently a 
 stranger, and ’tis, no doubt, curiosity alone that 
 
 Louise. But she may be a highwayman, come to rob us. 
 
 Zoe. {perceiving them — troubled) All ! pray pardon me, but, 
 passing near this garden — attached to the mansion of the 
 Countess de Latour, is it not ? 
 
 Julie. Yes. 
 
 Zoe. I saw this door open, and I ventured to intrude, and 
 
 Julie. Nay, call it not intrusion; and, if you would like to 
 walk around 
 
 Zoe. You are very good, Mademoiselle; but — {undecided) — 
 I — I should not dare 
 
 Louise, {aside) Walk around, indeed — I should have ordered 
 her to walk out. {aloud — looking off, \ l.) Mademoiselle, yonder 
 I see the Countess, and coming this way. 
 
 Zoe. {aside) The Countess! What was I about to do? 
 {aloud) Thanks, Mademoiselle, for your gracious offer, and adieu! 
 
 Julie. Nay, but 
 
 Zoe. Adieu ! Exit hastily , garden door. 
 
 Louise, {looking after her) How she scampers, as if some- 
 body was at her heels, {closing door) Well, I didn’t let her 
 come near me, so I can’t have lost anything. There are a 
 great many bad characters about, and her sneaking in in that 
 style was very suspicious. 
 
22 
 
 OLD HOUSE ON THE BRIDGE. ^ACT II 
 
 Julie. You did not, then, notice her charming features — her 
 graceful figure? 
 
 Louise. That’s nothing; there ar.e a great many very genteel 
 pickpockets. 
 
 Julie, {looking l.) Ah I here is my aunt — how painfully she 
 walks — her head lowered, her eye fixed. 
 
 Louise. Thinking of her son whom, at last, she is about to 
 see again. 
 
 Julie, (aside) Why, then, is she so pale? (to Louise) 
 Leave us. 
 
 Louise. Yes, Mademoiselle, (aside) I have no patience with 
 great folks, they have always something the matter with them, 
 or think they have, and that amounts to the same thing. 
 
 Exit , L. 
 
 Enter Countess, r. — Julie hurries to meet her — takes her hand 
 and kisses it. 
 
 Julie. Dear aunt ! 
 
 Count, (starting from a reverie) Ah ! Julie ! (sadly) This 
 will be a happy day, will it not Julie— for my son returns to 
 me. (producing portrait) See, this is his portrait — is he not 
 handsome? 
 
 Julie. Yes. 
 
 Countess. Ah ! Julie — he will love you well. (Julie hangs 
 her head) And you will return that love, will you not, Julie ? 
 
 Julie, (greatly agitated) Yes, aunt, as a brother. I 
 
 Count, (looking at portrait) Dear Jules — when shall I press 
 you thus to my heart, and my lips ? 
 
 Julie, (surprised) What say you, madam ? 
 
 (Countess droops her head mournfully — Julie clings around 
 her) 
 
 Enter Chevalier, l., in riding costume — he is very pale. 
 
 Lat. (aside) There is left, now, but the blackened ruins of 
 the tavern. Renard has well executed my orders ! Why, 
 then, has he not come to me, here ? (going towards pavilion , 
 and seeing the others) Ah ! the Countess— Julie. 
 
 Julie, (turning) The Chevalier. 
 
 Count, (raising her head) You are abroad early to-day, my 
 friend ? 
 
 Lat. Yes, yes — I love a morning gallop, and— but, madam, 
 you are pale, and sad. How is this ? 
 
 Count. I blush to confess my weakness — but, last night, a 
 terrible dream 
 
 Julie. A dream ! Oh, aunt, relate it — I may be able to 
 reassure and comfort you. 
 
ACT II.] OLD HOUSE ON THE BRIDGE. 23 
 
 Count. Listen, then — and you too, Chevalier — it will solace 
 me to speak of it, and afterwards, you will tell me that I am 
 mad — and, perhaps, I shall believe you. 
 
 Julie. Well, dear aunt ? 
 
 Count. Well, in this vision I first beheld my son as he 
 stepped on board the vessel which was to bear him to France. 
 Ah 1 yes, I saw him, chevalier, as plainly as I now behold you. 
 
 Lat. (starting, and then endeavouring to smile) Indeed ? 
 
 Count. Next, the vessel was on the broad ocean ; days and 
 nights succeeded one the other, rapidly as thought ; and still 
 sailed the vessel on and on, across the broad expanse of water ; 
 and always, standing near the helm — his face towards France — 
 I beheld my son ; his eyes, full of hope and joy, were fixed on 
 mine. I heard his voice as he whispered, “ Mother, weep no 
 more ; I am hastening to your arms.” (Latour, violently agitated , 
 sinks on to a chair that is near him ) Soon the vessel arrived on 
 our coasts, and Jules, leaping to the back of a noble steed, was 
 rapidly borne through gloomy forests and smiling valley^ ; 
 towns and villages he passed quick as the lightning’s flash ; 
 and ever, while thus fearfully he flew, I heard him murmur, 
 u Mother, I am coming to you — I am coming.” Suddenly, 
 between the rider and myself, there passed a heavy cloud ; 
 when it had dissipated, and I again beheld my son, he was but 
 a few paces from me, sword in hand, and his look was no 
 longer the same ; it was influenced with rage — terrible ! Then, 
 again, and instantly, his expression changed for that of horrible 
 suffering, and wild despair — and then — then he uttered a terrible 
 shriek — an awful cry which even now is ringing in my ear — he 
 staggered — his eyes closed as he vainly strove to say farewell 
 to me — and my son fell at my feet — dead — ah ! he was dead — 
 dead ! (Julie, with an exclamation , throws herself into the arms 
 of the Countess) 
 
 Lat. (rising, overpowered with terror ) Merciful heaven ! does 
 then the grave reveal its secrets ? (endeavours to walk towards 
 pavilion, hut staggers and sinks on one knee) Oh ! I must struggle 
 r gainst this — I will ! (with difficulty rises, again staggers , and 
 clings to the side, R. for support — Countess and Julie at this 
 moment turn towards him) 
 
 Count. You are not well, my friend ? 
 
 Lat. Oh ! ’tis nothing — a sudden weakness, (endeavours to 
 laugh) I believed I was about to fall. 
 
 Count. It was, perhaps, my recital which 
 
 Lat. Probably — yes, yes. 
 
 Julie. Shall I summon any of your people? 
 
 Lat. No, I thank you; no, I am already greatly recovered. 
 
 Louise, (entering, l. — joyfully) Oh ! madame ! oh ! 
 
 Count. Ah! you come, amessengerof joy — do you not, Louise? 
 
24 
 
 OLD HOUSE ON THE BRIDGE. [ACT II. 
 
 Louise. Yes, madam, yes. 
 
 Count, (eagerly, c.) My son, then — he has arrived ? 
 
 Lat. (aside, r.) Her son ! unhappy mother ! 
 
 Louise. Yes, madam, I ran forward to tell you the good 
 
 news, for Monsieur Jules de Lavergne is now following me 
 
 Lat. (aside) What says she ? 
 
 Julie, (r. c.) Courage, aunt. 
 
 Louise. See, he is here. Exit Louise, r. 
 
 Enter Duchernin, hastily, l., and kneels to Countess, who has 
 sunk half fainting into a chair , her arms extended towards him 
 -—Julie bends over Countess — Chevalier, wild with terror, 
 recoils till hehas reached the pavilion, R. into which he disappears. 
 
 Count, (reviving) Pardon me, my son, pardon me ! 
 
 Duch. It is for me, madam, to solicit pardon for having 
 roused, by my too sudden arrival, an emotion which nearly 
 resembles a pang, (kissing her brow) 
 
 Count, (quickly) A pang ! Oh, no, no ! you mistake — that 
 cannot be. But, Julie, my child, have you tendered your hand 
 to your cousin ? 
 
 Julie, (agitated) Aunt ! 
 
 Count, (to Duchernin) My son — Mademoiselle Julie de 
 Mornay — my only consolation whilst you were far from me. 
 
 (Duchernin respectfully carries Julie’s hand to his lips— 
 the Countess rises) 
 
 Count, (looking round) The Chevalier was here but now ; 
 What, then, is become of him ? 
 
 Julie. He was evidently suffering, aunt, and, no doubt, has 
 retired to his apartments in the pavilion ; but, if my cousin 
 
 desires it (going towards pavilion) 
 
 Duch. (detaining her) No, remain, Mademoiselle — why dis- 
 turb the Chevalier ? I am beside my mother, near you, and 
 have nothing further to desire, (aside, L.c. — looking at themboth, R.) 
 Oh ! this is a dream — too brilliant to last — yet, heaven is my 
 witness ; I ask only that I may love them both — that poor 
 mother — that lovely maiden — with my whole heart, my perfect 
 soul ! (the Countess, in a deep reverie, has again sunk into a 
 chair) 
 
 Julie, (aside to her) Oh ! aunt, aunt — what means ? 
 
 Count, (to her, quickly) Oh ! silence— I dare not avow, not 
 even to myself, what now I feel. 
 
 Julie. How? 
 
 Count. Oh ! it is horrible, horrible — I am a wicked mother. 
 You believed, did you not, Julie, that at my son’s approach, 
 but now, ’twas joy which overpowered me. No, no ; it was 
 not that — as he almost divined. Oh ! it was a frightful, an 
 
25 
 
 ACT II.] OLD HOUSE ON THE BRIDGE. 
 
 inexplicable terror which, at the aspect of Jules, I suffered ; 
 and when he approached me, when he pressed his lips upon 
 my brow, my heart ceased to throb, and I believed that I 
 should die — yes, die — as in my dream, last night, I saw him 
 perish. 
 
 Julie. Oh! hush, hush, dear aunt! {pointing to Duciiernin, 
 who is leaning pensively against the arbour , L.) See, aunt, he is 
 yonder — alone — sadly amazed, no doubt, at his reception ! 
 
 Count, {quickly) Oh, true! {turning towards Duchernin) 
 Jules ! 
 
 Duch. {approaching her ) Madame ! 
 
 Count. Of what were you thinking ? 
 
 Duch. {sitting beside her) That, in your letters, you had 
 accustomed me to an intimacy which was v§ry dear to me. 
 {taking her hand) And that intimacy — so natural between a 
 mother and her son — the sweet and tender language in which, 
 while I was far from you, you told me how joyful would be my 
 welcome to my home. Must I then, madame, now that I am 
 near to you, renounce all these r 
 
 Count, {agitated) My son ! 
 
 Duch. {tenderly) Mother ! {aside) Oh ! in that word, what 
 a heavenly charm ! 
 
 Count, {aside) What can I say to him ? 
 
 Duch. Is it that you are disappointed on beholding me, and 
 that you do not find me all that you had pictured to your mind. 
 
 Count. Oh, no ! for, independently of my knowledge of your 
 infant days, did I not know you by your portrait which, three 
 years since, you sent me in exchange for mine — and had not 
 that portrait taught me that you were, as now I find you, noble 
 and handsome ? 
 
 Duch. Handsome ! I would be loved, my mother. 
 
 Count. And wherefore, Jules — wherefore should I not love 
 you? 
 
 Duch. {aside) Ah ! how coldly she said that ! 
 
 Julie. Cousin, you will pardon the involuntary agitation of 
 the Countess — extreme joy, you know, is sometimes as de- 
 pressing as grief itself. 
 
 Duch. I have nothing to forgive, mademoiselle, and should 
 be in despair, if I believed my mother would consider a reproach 
 that which is, at most, the mere shadow of a complaint. 
 
 (Chevalier appears on steps of pavilion, standing in doorway) 
 
 Count, {aside) Why, when he speaks, is last night’s terri- 
 ble phantom always present to my thought? 
 
 Lat. {aside) The same voice ! the same look ! the same 
 figure! the same features ! Oh ! it is enough to drive me mad! 
 
 Count, {rising) We will now return to the mansion. Come, 
 Jules, your arm. 
 
 c 
 
26 
 
 OLD HOUSE ON THE BRIDGE. [ACT II. 
 
 Lat. ( coming forward) Pardon, madam, but will you not 
 permit me first a few moment’s conversation with your son ? 
 
 J ulie. ( introducing ) The Chevalier de Latour. 
 
 Duch. {aside) Ah ! (they how to each other) 
 
 Lat. (aside) He started ! 
 
 Duch. I am at your service, dear uncle ! If the Countess 
 
 Count. You will not stay from me long? 
 
 Duch. No, mother, no. 
 
 Lat. (aside) His mother ! 
 
 Julie, (to Latour) Speedily release my cousin, or the 
 Countess will scold you. 
 
 (Duchernin goes over to L. with the Ladies, hows to them , 
 and they go off, L.) 
 
 Lat. (aside) Were that man the devil himself— no matter— 
 the struggle has commenced, and soon it will be seen which of 
 us shall prevail. 
 
 Duch. (aside, returning) The Chevalier de Latour ! Ah ! in 
 the presence of those two women I trembled ; but shall not 
 tremble before thee, miserable assassin ! 
 
 Lat. (going to him) Dear nephew ! 
 
 Duch. Dear uncle ! 
 
 Lat. You are not angry with me for having so rudely 
 separated you from your good mother ? 
 
 Duch. With you ! who in your letters have graciously 
 called me son 
 
 Lat. (aside) My letters ! 
 
 doubtless, I shall soon learn to love you as 
 though you were indeed my father — and now (extending his 
 hand) you will permit me to embrace you. 
 
 Lat. (confused, retreating) Assuredly — I — but (giving him a 
 chair) you must be satisfied, dear nephew. Six hundred 
 leagues are not travelled with impunity ! 
 
 Duch. Six hundred and fifty, dear uncle ! But, pray suffer 
 me to take your hand, (does so) 
 
 Lat. (aside) His touch has frozen me ! (sinks into chair) 
 
 Duch. But how is this, dear uncle, your hand trembled in 
 mine. I remember they told me on my arrival you were 
 indisposed— a slight fever, no doubt ? 
 
 Lat. Yes, yes. (aside) He is sporting with me, I can see it. 
 
 Duch. It is a subject on which I am learned. Throughout 
 the Antilles, and especially at Martinique, fevers are frequent 
 and tenacious. In the autumn season there, you are attacked 
 when least expecting it, and I have often, without warning, 
 commenced to shiver — ay, even as you are trembling now ! 
 
 Lat. (recollecting himself) I— I do not tremble ! 
 better CH P arox y sm has passed — so much the 
 
27 
 
 ACT II.] OLD HOUSE ON THE BRIDGE. 
 
 Lat. One question, nephew. You spoke but now of those 
 letters you have received from me ? 
 
 Duch. Ah ! I have read them again and again, a thousand 
 times — even last night, I— 
 
 Lat. (< surprised ) Last night ? 
 
 Duch. Yes, at my hotel, the White Horse 
 
 Lat. {aside) The White Horse ? 
 
 Duch. Port Saint Honore, where I rested, not wishing to 
 present myself before my mother till the coming day. Those 
 letters, (as if about to take them from his pocket) they have been 
 my happiness, my delight ! 
 
 Lat. (watching the movement o/Duchernin’s hand) Ah ! and 
 you have them there about you ? 
 
 Duch. Oh ! they never quit me ! ( withdrawing his hand 
 without the letters) 
 
 Lat. (aside) He does not, though, produce them — cannot 
 do so. (aloud) You must permit me, nephew, somewhat to 
 doubt your sincerity in this matter. 
 
 Duch. You doubt ? 
 
 Lat. We preserve the letters of a mother, and of the woman 
 that we love. (Duchernin sighs) Ah ! you sigh ! 
 
 Duch. ’Tis nothing, uncle, only your words have awakened 
 within me a remembrance — (aside, but in a manner that the 
 Chevalier shall hear him) Poor Zoe ! 
 
 Lat. Ah! 
 
 Duch. And, I understand you, you doubt that I have 
 retained your letters. How ? Did I not know that you would 
 be to me, here, the friend that I have found in Monsieur de 
 Bernac, yonder? 
 
 Lat. (aside) De Bernac ! 
 
 Duch. Ah ! but I will soon prove to you (again putting 
 
 his hand in his pocket) 
 
 Lat. (impatiently watching him as before) Ah ! now 
 
 Duch. (withdrawing his hand , empty) But first, you believe 
 — confess it, that I have torn or— burned — those letters? 
 
 Lat. (agitated) Burned! I 
 
 Duch. Come, then — when I have proved to you that I love 
 you more than you believed, dear uncle, what will you give me ? 
 
 Lat. Give you ? 
 
 Duch. Yes. In Martinique it is the custom amongst friends, 
 that to repair a small fault, the guilty should offer to the inno- 
 cent some little present. Nay, have no fear, I shall not be 
 exacting — your sword is in most exquisite taste — will you 
 exchange with me for mine. 
 
 Lat. (quickly) No, no ! not that — not that ! 
 
 Duch. (with an expression of contempt) Ah! you will not 
 part with that? Well, well — no matter — I will imagine that I 
 have already received your sword, and that it had been 
 
28 
 
 OLD HOUSE ON THE BRIDGE. [ACT II. 
 
 returned to you ; and here ( producing a pocket book ) — here, in 
 this pocket book, are your letters. 
 
 Lat. (s taking it , and rising terror-stricken — aside ) The pocket 
 book — ( opening it) my letters — the portraits. Oh ! Iam surely 
 dreaming ? 
 
 Duch. You recognize them, do you not ? 
 
 Lat. Yes, yes. (aside) This pocket book — these papers 
 which I had ordered Renard to destroy. Oh ! Renard, then, 
 he (clutching papers , &c., convulsively) 
 
 Duch. (taking them from his hand) Pardon me, dear uncle, 
 but I set great store by these ! 
 
 Lat. Enough ; I will detain you no longer, nephew. 
 
 Duch. Then I will hasten to my mother’s side. 
 
 Lat. And I congratulate you that you have escaped all 
 dangers — that you are safely returned to her. 
 
 Duch. (innocently) Dangers? 
 
 Lat. Yes ; those dangers which cost us, sometimes, life itself. 
 
 Duch. Oh, uncle ! how oddly you uttered that ! It would 
 almost seem that you are sorry I did not die upon the journey 
 hither. 
 
 Lat. (agitated) Die ! No, no, I meant not that. 
 
 Duch. Be calm, I was but jesting ! for do I not know your 
 great delight to find me living and by your side ! Do I not 
 know that the Chevalier de Latour — though disinherited of his 
 brother’s wealth and titles, for Jules de Lavergne — will be to 
 Jules as he has promised — a friend, a father, (taking Latour’s 
 hand) And now, dear uncle, you will accompany me to the 
 mansion, (taking his arm) and by the way our talk shall be of 
 your health, for I wish to cure you, and I will cure you. I 
 have brought with me from Martinique plants of sovereign 
 virtue, against fevers of your description, irresistible. Oh! I 
 shall cure you, and speedily, rely upon it, dear, dear uncle ! 
 
 They go off, \ L. 
 
 Guillot’s head appears above the wall. 
 
 Guil. This is not pleasant, (on the top of the wall) when you 
 are not used to it. Nobody has seen me, and if I can but find 
 the Chevalier 
 
 As he is descending Louise enters R., sees him, screams , and 
 is running off, L. — Guillot follows and brings her back. 
 
 Guil. Don’t ! Hold your noise ! 
 
 Louise, (dropping on her knees) I haven’t got any money — 
 and my life is no use to anybody but the owner. 
 
 Guil. Why, Louise, you precious fool ! 
 
 Louise. Oh ! whoever can it be that knows me ? I have 
 never associated with any bad characters ! 
 
 Guil. Look at me, I’m Guillot. 
 
29 
 
 ACT II.] OLD HOUSE ON THE BRIDGE. 
 
 Louise. ( recognizing him) Guillot ! {jumping up) Then how 
 dare you come tumbling out of the clouds in that way to 
 frighten me into fits ? 
 
 Guil. I didn’t — I only tumbled off the wall. 
 
 Louise. And how came you on the wall? 
 
 Guil. Climbed up — to — to see the most lovely of the sex, you. 
 
 Louise. What? 
 
 Guil. Yes, — hem, hem — you know that when I came here 
 with my employer, respecting the will of the late Count — hem ! 
 — you know, I say, that you were rather particular in your 
 attentions to me. 
 
 Louise. What! 
 
 Guil. No, I mean — that I was all at once particularly fond — 
 
 Louise. Of our larder, which you emptied in about half an 
 hour. 
 
 Guil. A devouring proof of my devotion. The more I 
 love the more I eat, alwavs. (aside) Oh ! if my wife did but 
 hear me. 
 
 Louise. But why then have you never been here since till 
 now ? 
 
 Guil. Been confined to my bed, bless you, with the tooth- 
 ache. (aside) Oh ! if she would but go. 
 
 Louise. And, when you do come at last, why is it over the 
 wall? 
 
 Guil. The door was locked — and I could exist no longer 
 without beholding you. 
 
 Louise, (aside) He is very plain — and I have already three 
 lovers ; but I may as well add another to their number — so (to 
 Guillot, who is looking anxiously about) what are you staring at? 
 
 Guil. Me ? Oh — I was looking at you ! 
 
 Louise. Ah ! I can’t believe that — unless you have a cast 
 in your eye ! Well, Monsieur Guillot, I feel flattered by your 
 present proposal of marriage 
 
 Guil. Eh? 
 
 Louise. And will consider of it. Good day — I must now 
 leave you. 
 
 Guil. Yes, do — go away as quick as possible, there’s a good 
 girl. 
 
 Louise. What? 
 
 Guil. (quickly) And come back immediately, I was going 
 to say. 
 
 Louise. Oh 1 here is the Chevalier — oh ! Runs off, \ r. 
 
 Guil. Oh ! Oh ! ( runs behind bushes at back ) 
 
 Enter Chevalier, agitated , l. 
 
 Lat. Whence has come this second smiling and audacious 
 counterfeit of the living Jules de Lavergne? — from what dark 
 
30 OLD HOUSE ON THE BRIDGE. [ACT II. 
 
 hole has this spectre issued to terrify and drive me mad ? He 
 is confederate with Kenard, I cannot doubt it —for it was a 
 man, and not a demon, I encountered in that tavern. ( looking 
 at his hand ) Here are proofs — this wound given to me by 
 Jules de Lavergne — and this sword ( partly drawing it) still 
 reddened with the blood of 
 
 Guil. ( who has quietly advanced, C.) Jules de Lavergne ! 
 
 Lat. (recoiling, R.) Ah ! 
 
 Guil. Jules de Lavergne, killed yesterday, at the Tavern of 
 the Weeping Willows, by the Chevalier de Latour ! 
 
 Lat. (grasping him) Wretch ! 
 
 Guil. ( bi'eaking away) I beg your pardon — no tricks — I 
 shan’t allow it. I heard it all — you didn’t half search that house; 
 you remember the room at the top of the stairs — bless you, 
 while you were looking in the bed, I Avas under it. 
 
 Lat. Malediction ! 
 
 Guil. Don’t be uneasy ; pay me well and you will have 
 nothing to fear from me — to me money is a considerable object, 
 for my salary as an attorney’s clerk is particulary small. 
 
 Lat. Speak, then — and quickly ! 
 
 ■ Guil. You are sure you won’t be stingy ? 
 
 Lat. Speak, I say — This man now passing here for Jules 
 de Lavergne 
 
 Guil. Ah ! you know he can’t be the real Jules de Lavergne, 
 because last night you 
 
 Lat. Silence ! 
 
 Guil. My voice was gone when you killed him, or I should 
 have called — fire ! 
 
 Lat. Silence, I say ! 
 
 Guil. When the house was burning, I did call — murder ! 
 
 Lat. No more, or 
 
 Guil. Well — the man now here is named Duchernin — he is 
 a Bohemian, a gitana, who dropped into the tavern, from the 
 devil knows where, just after you had murdered 
 
 Lat. (threatening) Ah ! 
 
 Guil. And his wonderful likeness to the man that — you, 
 you know, had — (C hevalier scowls upon Mm) I mean to the 
 man that was in the cellar — at first frightened old Benard into 
 a petrifaction. When he had shaken himself up, they came to 
 an understanding — and now you understand — but it was an 
 awful night — worse to me than to you, I know — but then, I 
 never saw a man killed before — and I daresay you have mur- 
 dered several. 
 
 Lat. Silence ! (reflecting a moment) This man, awhile since, 
 uttered the name of Zoe. 
 
 Guil. His sweetheart — when I say his sweetheart, I say 
 
 Lat. You mean she was beloved by Jules de Lavergne. 
 
31 
 
 ACT II.] OLD HOUSE ON THE BRIDGE. 
 
 Guil. And this Zoe de la Roche has arrived in Paris. 
 
 Lat. ( joyfully ) In Paris ? 
 
 Guil. Yes ; and here is a letter which she has written to 
 her lover, with whom she asks for an interview. 
 
 Lat. Give it to me. 
 
 Guil. Take it, and read it, for it is open ; I loosened the 
 seal directly it came into my hands — I learned that trick in 
 our office. 
 
 Lat. ( having glanced over letter) This extraordinary re- 
 semblance has been able to deceive the eyes of a mother 
 separated for ten long years from her son, but will not succeed 
 with a girl who loves, and who saw her lover but yesterday. 
 
 Guil. That’s my opinion. ( holding out Ms hand for the letter ) 
 Now you have read, I will execute my commission. 
 
 Lat. ( putting letter into Ms pocket) No— better than that. 
 To-morrow, in the midst of the fete that will be given here, 
 Ma’amselle Zoe de la Roche shall appear, and ask for her lover. 
 
 Guil. You should have been a lawyer— you would have 
 made a sharp practitioner ! 
 
 Lat. Say to this Zoe de la Roche that she must not quit 
 her retreat, and that when the proper moment has arrived, she 
 will see the Chevalier de Latour who will himself conduct her 
 to her lover. 
 
 Guil. Good ! Why, you can concoct a scheme quite as well 
 as you can kill a 
 
 Lat. Silence ! Go — return to-morrow, and you shall receive 
 from me twenty thousand livres — that will content you ? 
 
 Guil. Well — yes — but times are very bad, you know, 
 
 and however, twenty thousand livres will do, to begin with. 
 
 {going) 
 
 Lat. A moment — we must not be seen together — remain 
 here till I have entered the mansion. Remember — to-morrow, 
 and the money that I have promised you ! Exit , l. 
 
 Guil. I am not likely to forget that. The vagabond ! — he 
 thinks he has it all his own way now ; but, wait a bit, and per- 
 haps there is slight surprise in store for him. ( looking off) 
 There he is entering the house now — so, here I go ! {going up 
 towards door in wall) 
 
 Renard runs on from behind pavilion , R., and confronts 
 Guillot. 
 
 Ren. (l. c.) Stay. 
 
 Guil. (c.) Oh, I feel so poorly all at once ! 
 
 Ren. I was hidden there. ( pointing behind pavilion) I have 
 heard all ! 
 
 Guil. Then I had better plead guilty, and call witnesses as 
 to character. 
 
32 
 
 OLD HOUSE ON THE BRIDGE. [ACT II. 
 
 Hen. Yesterday you were a spy on my actions, to-day it is 
 my turn — but, to business. 
 
 Guil. Precisely — I have a deal of business to attend to 
 to-day ; so, if you will allow me — (trying to escape , Kenard 
 stays him) 
 
 Hen. First — the address of Mademoiselle Zoe de la Hoche. 
 
 Guil. I don’t know it — honour ! 
 
 Hen. ( putting a pistol to his ear ) Try if you can’t remember. 
 No one knows of my presence here — no one is near us now, 
 therefore, no one to accuse me should I kill you — and so 
 
 Guil. Stop — I have just recollected the young lady’s 
 address. 
 
 Ren. Oh! 
 
 Guil. She lodges with Antonin. 
 
 Ren. (< aside , joyfully) Ah ! at the old house on the Bridge 
 of Notre Dame ! 
 
 Guil. (aside) Of course I couldn’t be killed —I am not so 
 unfeeling as to break my poor wife’s heart. 
 
 Hen. IN ow remember, Monsieur Guillot, there is in France but 
 one person who could snatch the mask from the false Jules de 
 Lavergne — that person is Zoe de la Roche. The Chevalier’s 
 only chance was to bring the Creole here — and the Creole will 
 not come. 
 
 Guil. Eh? (aside) What does he mean to do ? 
 
 Ren. Now — are we enemies or allies ? — the Chevalier has 
 promised you twenty thousand livres, we will give you double 
 that sum. 
 
 Guil. Forty thousand livres ! why, my dear fellow, of course 
 I am on your side ! 
 
 Ren. Good ! At what hour will Zoe de la Roche expect 
 her lover, Jules de Lavergne ? 
 
 Guil. At nine o’clock. 
 
 Ren. Then you will tell her that Monsieur Jules de Lavergne 
 will be punctual to the appointment. 
 
 Guil. Eh ! — but if she 
 
 Ren. Let us go. I have a key of yonder door, (opens door 
 in wall) 
 
 Guil. (aside) He means mischief to that poor girl, but I 
 
 Ren. Now go you first. (Guillot hesitates) Nay, have no 
 fear now — you are, you know, one of us. 
 
 Guil. Yes, of course — and now I am on your side, it wouldn’t 
 be genteel to shoot me behind my back, (slinks off through 
 door , followed by Renard) 
 
 END OF THE SECOND ACT. 
 
ACT III.] OLD HOUSE ON THE BRIDGE. 
 
 33 
 
 ACT III. 
 
 Scene First.— The Old House on the Bridge of Notre Dame— the 
 Bridge of Notre Dame , R. — Mauviette's shop , garnished in 
 front with flower pots and stands ; over the shop is written , 
 u The Temple of Flora r. 2e. — Antonin's house ,c., with hoard 
 over the door , on which is written in large letters the word , 
 “ Lodgings ■” — the ground floor , which is visible to the audience , 
 tfAws composed: — R., the entrance door ; L., a staircase 
 leading to the upper rooms ; a? &ac&, a c?oor opening into a sort 
 of back shop , where Antonin sleeps ; a table , stools , awe? a 
 buffet —on the first floor a room , that of Zoe , and equally 
 visible to the audience ; a door at the back of the room , opening 
 into another chamber , in which , when the door is open , fs secw a 
 window , awe? through that window the quays and houses of 
 Paris ; the door of the front room is L., aw the landing of the 
 staircase which leads below — aw the extreme L. a/ 1 the landing , 
 awe? directly over the river , w a rough wooden balcony ; below 
 this balcony an end of the quay and the first of the stairs , 
 which lead down to the river ; below the quay is seen a portion 
 of the river , till it is lost behind the houses on the bridge before 
 described ; at the bottom of the river stairs several boats are 
 seen at their moorings ; beyond the river are seen the houses of 
 the city ; the houses of Mauviette and Antonin are supposed to 
 form the extremity of the bridge . 
 
 Justine discovered in the house , seated at her spinning wheel ; 
 
 Just. It is getting dark — I must light my lamp then before 
 I return to my work, and just look round to see that I have 
 got all in good order. ( lighting lamp ) During the two years 
 that I have been housekeeper here the neighbourhood has 
 always been very quiet ; but for all that, when night comes, I 
 never feel comfortable, especially when the master is absent. 
 
 ( disappears through door at back) 
 
 Eider Mauviette and Zoe from shop , r. 
 
 Mauv. You leave me then already ? 
 
 Zoe. Yes; night is approaching, and, besides, I should be a 
 hindrance to you. 
 
 Mauv. In what ? Business is over for the day ; in a minute 
 I shall have taken away these flowers, and closed the shutters 
 — but I beg your pardon, Ma’mselle, for talking like a fool, for 
 I ought to know that I am not fit company for so genteel and 
 beautiful a young lady as you are. 
 
34 
 
 OLD HOUSE ON THE BRIDGE- [AOT III* 
 
 Zoe. Oh ! what is it you are saying ? Think you I have 
 already forgotten that yesterday when, near this place, I had 
 fallen to the ground half dead with sorrow and fatigue, it was 
 you who raised and succoured me. 
 
 Mauv. Nay 
 
 Zoe. And think you I can ever forget that when a name — a 
 dear and cherished name escaped my lips, it was you who 
 eagerly 
 
 Mauv. Oh, I have been in love myself; however, I am 
 married now, and — and it was Guillot, not I, who conveyed 
 your letter to Monsieur Jules de Lavergne. 
 
 Zoe. Mauviette, I know not what you understand here by 
 the word gratitude — nor know I what you do to-morrow with 
 your affections and your reveries of to-day ; but, with us, 
 beneath the bright sky of the Antilles, the hatred of an hour 
 is the hatred of a life ! — once to love, is with us, to love for 
 ever ! 
 
 Mauv. Love is not always so lasting here, whatever hatred 
 may be! 
 
 Zoe. And now, good night — the hour is approaching for the 
 arrival of Monsieur Jules de Lavergne, and 
 
 Mauv. Ah ! true ; it is near nine o’clock, and Guillot said 
 that Monsieur de Lavergne would be very punctual ; and, of 
 course, before he arrives you must consult your looking-glass 
 ' — a girl can never be too smart nor too pretty when she is to 
 meet her lover ; attending to those rules was how I captivated 
 Guillot. (Justine re-appears in room) Come, then, {go over 
 to house — Mauviette knocks , Justine opens door) 
 
 Zoe. {on the door step) Good night, dear friend. 
 
 Mauv. Good night, ma’amselle, I shall see you early in the 
 morning. (Zoe enters house) Good night, Justine, and mind 
 you take good care of the young lady. 
 
 Just. Just mind your own business, and don’t interfere with 
 my lodgers ! {slams the door in Mauviette’s face) 
 
 Mauv. Ugli ! what a cross old stick ! Now I must clear 
 away, and shut up shop. 
 
 ( J ustine takes lamp and leaves room , followed by Zoe— 
 Mauviette commences carrying flower stands , d?c., into 
 shop — going and returning — Zoe and Justine are seen 
 on landing , and then enter room above) 
 
 Mauv. Carrying these is work for a porter, and not for a 
 delicate young woman, {carrying off flower stand) 
 
 Just, {lighting a second lamp , and leaving it on table) Have 
 you any further occasion for my services, madame? 
 
 Zoe. No ; but — pardon me — you are not yet going to bed? 
 
 Just, Oh, no, madame — not for two hours. 
 
35 
 
 ACT III.] OLD HOUSE ON THE BRIDGE. 
 
 Zoe. Because, I — I expect a visitor, and 
 
 J ust. Very well, madame — and what name will the gentleman 
 ask for, if you please? {aside) Of course it’s a gentleman? 
 
 Zoe. Mademoiselle Zoe de la Roche. 
 
 Just. Very well, madame— I shall remember, {leaves room — 
 closing door) 
 
 Zoe. The window of that room looks on to the quay — there 
 I can watch his approach, {takes lamp , and goes off into the 
 other chamber) 
 
 Mauv. {who has carried into the shop all the flower stands , 
 pots , &c.) I should just like to know what has ’become of 
 Guillot. {closing shutters) ’Till to night, he has always been 
 here to help me close the shop and clear away. (Constant 
 and Desormes enter on bridge) But, wait till he comes home, 
 and if I don’t talk to him, I am a Dutchman ! 
 
 Des. {puMing his arm round her waist) Are you ? 
 
 Mauv. My dear Guillot ! {recognizing her mistake) Oh, la ! 
 You — oh ! I am so glad to see you ! 
 
 Des. Thanks, my angel. 
 
 Mauv. Nay, I did not mean you, but Monsieur Constant. 
 
 Des. Oh ! in that case, I do not thank you, my angel ! 
 
 Mauv. Oh ! I have such great news for you ! 
 
 Des. For me ? 
 
 Mauv. No ; for Monsieur Constant. 
 
 Des. Constant again — shameful ! 
 
 Mauv. {to Constant) The great obstacle to your marriage 
 with Mam’selle Julie is now removed. 
 
 Con. What can you mean ? 
 
 Mauv. Monsieur Jules de Lavergne has long been in love 
 with another 
 
 Con. Can it be possible ! 
 
 Mauv. With a lady — a lady 
 
 Des. Yes, of course, a lady — quick, tell us all about it. 
 
 Mauv. In the street? certainly not. But, if you will just 
 
 walk into my shop Oh ! Master Guillot, when you do 
 
 come home, won’t you catch it ! 
 
 Exit into shop , r., followed by Constant and Desormes — 
 Renard enters at back , over bridge , goes over to Antonin's 
 house , and knocks. 
 
 Just, {seated at her spinning-wheel) Ah! {rising) No doubt, 
 the young lady’s expected visitor — {opens door) — Monsieur 
 Renard ! 
 
 Enter Renard, closing the door. 
 
 Ren. Yes : is your master at home? 
 
 Just. No: he is at the ‘Three Tuns;’ but if you like, I 
 
36 OLD HOUSE ON THE BKIDGE. [ACT III. 
 
 Ren. No : stay where you are — it is not he, it is his house 
 I want. 
 
 J ust. ’Tis at your service. Monsieur Antonin has told me 
 that whenever you come 
 
 Ren. You are to attend to me as you would himself. That 
 — (< giving her money ) — is to reward your good memory. 
 
 Just. A piece of gold ! Oh ! 
 
 Ren. Now tell me — what sort of people have you staying 
 with you just now? 
 
 Just. We have only one lodger at present — a young lady. 
 
 Ren. Name, Zoe de la Roche, I believe ? 
 
 Just. ( surprised ) You know her name? 
 
 Ren. Her apartments, I presume, are above ? 
 
 Just. Yes, monsieur. 
 
 Ren. Good. Now, Justine, you will go to your own private 
 room, and whatever you may hear — do you understand me — 
 whatever you may hear, you will not stir from it ! 
 
 Just. Yes — no. 
 
 Ren. And remember, that if I am liberal to reward those 
 who are discreet, I am equally forward to punish those who 
 pry and chatter. Go. 
 
 Just. Ye — yes. (aside) Oh! goodness gracious, what does 
 it all mean. Exit door at hack. 
 
 Enter Guillot over bridge, followed by a Boatman. Guillot 
 taps gently at door of Antonin's house . 
 
 Ren. {« opening door) Is it Guillot ? 
 
 Guil. Here I am. 
 
 Ren. And have you brought ? 
 
 Guil. The man you sent me after — yes, here he is. 
 
 (Guillot and Boatman enter house — Renard closes door) 
 
 Ren. (to Man) He has told you there will be fifty louis for 
 you, if we should need your services ? 
 
 Boatman. Yes ; and I am quite ready. 
 
 Ren. Good, (aside) Now, with this man, if Guillot should 
 seek to betray me ? (aloud to Guillot) Where is the boat ? 
 
 Guil. Moored at the back of the house. 
 
 Ren. Stay here. And you, (to Man) come with me. 
 
 Renard and Boatman go off, l. door, at back. 
 
 Guil. I don’t see any light in my house, so I suppose 
 Mauviette has gone to bed. Ah ! if she only knew what pretty 
 games her husband’s after ! 
 
 Ren. (returning) There ! 
 
 Guil. What have you done with your respected friend ? 
 
 Ren. Hidden him beneath the staircase, near the door which 
 opens on to the river. 
 
37 
 
 ACT III.] OLD HOUSE ON THE BRIDGE. 
 
 Guil. Oh, oh ! then you are still determined that — it the 
 Creole 
 
 Ren. Have you any desire that the Chevalier should present 
 her to-morrow at the mansion of the Countess ? 
 
 Guil. Not the slightest in the world, but 
 
 Ren. Well, then, let her consent to depart this very evening, 
 or 
 
 Guil. To be sure ! it will be her own tault if — — 
 
 Enter Duchernin, over bridge , and approaches house. 
 
 Ren. I hear somebody on the quay. ( opens door ) It is 
 Duchernin — he must not see you. 
 
 Guil. No. I will hide in one of the rooms up stairs, {going 
 towards staircase) 
 
 Ren. No : — {opening door at back) this way. 
 
 Guil. Just as you like, {aside) If I can only hear what’s 
 going on. Exit, door L., at back . 
 
 Ren. {advancing) You are punctual. You know what you 
 have to say to Ma’amselle Zoe de la Roche ? {opening staircase 
 door) She stays for you — are you ready ? 
 
 Duch. First, a few words. 
 
 Ren. No occasion. I have already explained everything to 
 you. 
 
 Duch. ( haughtily ) No — for while transforming me into the 
 son of a noble family, you forget to say that you would have 
 me be to you a lackey and a slave. 
 
 Ren. {aside) I was too sharp with him! {aloud) You mistake 
 me, Duchernin, I have never had the thought to command 
 you — quite otherwise — for I consider you as my equal — my 
 partner. 
 
 Duch. Say, your accomplice — that is the fitting word. 
 Renard, whilst assigning to me my part in this intrigue, you 
 assured me, did you not, that you had none other than a 
 praiseworthy purpose in view ? 
 
 Ren. And did I tell you falsely ? If he who is no more 
 could now return to this world, would he not thank you for 
 having baffled the cupidity of his murderer ? 
 
 Duch. You believe that ? And would Jules de Lavergne 
 thank me too for having stolen from his mother the caresses 
 she had reserved for him ? 
 
 Ren. Wherefore not? Caresses — whether stolen or not — 
 are they not preferable to tears ? 
 
 Duch. And — this unhappy woman. I am now here to 
 deceive, as already I have deceived the Countess ? 
 
 Ren. Well ! and is it not also better for her she should 
 believe her lover false than know him dead ? 
 
 D 
 
38 
 
 OLD HOUSE ON THE BRIDGE. [ ACT Iir - 
 
 Duch. ( smiling ) Yes, yes ! I know, Master Renard, that 
 you are always ready with fine phrases to prove that we are 
 acting — if not honestly — at least humanely ! 
 
 Ren. (pointing towards door) Then 
 
 Duch. Stay ; I have not yet finished. If Zoe de la Roche 
 should not be duped by my resemblance to Jules de Lavergne. 
 what would you do ? 
 
 Ren. ( impatiently ) I have told you ! 
 
 Duch. No ! and it is precisely because you have not told 
 me that now I ask. 
 
 Ren. ( confused ) What would I do — but of what use to 
 trouble ourselves concerning an impossibility ! You have only 
 to play your part well, and your success is certain. 
 
 Duch. But if I did not succeed ? 
 
 Ren. Then, in that case, we would consult together, contrive 
 some other plan. Duchernin, be firm: this interview with the 
 Creole is your last trial. A few efforts more, and surmounted 
 is every obstacle on the brilliant road where I have placed you. 
 
 Duch. {sadly) The brilliant road ! 
 
 Enter Zoe, into front room above. 
 
 Zoe. He does not come. ( clock strikes nine) Nine o’clock. 
 He will not now be long. 
 
 Ren. Well, if you have suddenly become disdainful of fortune 
 and honors, you will own that to possess Ma’amselle Julie de 
 Mornay is worth some little trouble. 
 
 Duch. {starting) Julie! 
 
 Ren. Ha ! ha ! That name goes to your heart, eh ? Well, 
 come, courage now — and Ma’amselle Zoe de la Roche returns 
 to the Antilles, and — and Julie is yours. 
 
 Duch. {hurriedly) Come, come then. 
 
 {they enter house and ascend stairs) 
 
 Zoe. Oh ! I am not mistaken, some one is ascending the 
 stairs, (rising and tottering) Heavens ! how my heart beats, as 
 though I were terrified at the approach of my dear Jules — for 
 shame, Zoe, for shame. 
 
 (Duchernin and Renard appear above on landing) 
 
 Ren. {softly) She is there. Knock. 
 
 (Duchernin knocks — Renard re-descends) 
 
 Zoe. It is he ! {opens door) 
 
 (Duchernin enters , and Zoe with a joyful cry throws herself 
 into his arms) 
 
 Zoe. Ah ! Jules — dear Jules ! 
 
 Ren. {half-way down the stairs , to Guillot) I shall watch 
 above. You remain there, and at the first call, be ready ! 
 
39 
 
 ACT III.] OLD HOUSE ON THE BRIDGE. 
 
 Guil. Don’t be afraid, you will find me wide awake, {aside) 
 ■You infernal scoundrel ! 
 
 Ken. What did you say ? 
 
 Guil. Nothing ; I was talking to myself. 
 
 (Duchernin has gently placed Zoe on a chair and is 
 standing beside her — the lamp on table but partially lights 
 the room — Renard is on the landing listening — Guillot 
 below on the bottom stair ) 
 
 Zoe. ( tearfully ) Oh, it is indeed you, at last, {placing her 
 hand on his mouth) Oh ! do not speak yet— let me first tell you 
 why I am here. Jules, my life, my joy ! the permission to 
 follow you, which you had promised soon to send, I had not 
 courage to await ; when you had gone, and I saw myself alone 
 with my remembrances and my tears, know you what happened 
 then? Soon I felt that the sacrifice which I had imposed 
 on myself was far beyond my strength — that in consenting 
 to the separation I was mad, and soon should die ! — die far 
 from thee ! At that thought my brain wandered, and I flew 
 to the port. The vessel which was bearing you away from ihe 
 was already but as a speck on the horizon ! But there was 
 before me another vessel about to sail for France— but the 
 captain refused to take me ; he had, he said, his complement 
 of passengers ; and then 1 wept, I implored him — cast myself 
 at his knees — {falling on her knees to Duchernin) and now, 
 Jules, I am at yours — scold me if you will, to punish me for 
 having failed in strength and courage ; but after, say that you 
 forgive, that you still love me ! {endeavouring to take his hand) 
 
 Duch. {agitated) Zoe, rise, I entreat you ! it would be 
 cruelty should I reproach you ; yet, I regret— for your own 
 sake especially, that you are come — and 
 
 Zoe. For my sake, especially? What can you mean? 
 
 Duch. I would say that— it is possible — that your presence 
 here may prove an obstacle to — to my happiness, to my fortune ! 
 
 Zoe. {stunned) How ? Oh ! I have not rightly understood 
 you, even though I cover your hands with my kisses — with 
 my tears — you — Oh! impossible — impossible! You would 
 
 punish me, is it not so, for not having awaited your letter ere 
 quitting Port Royal ? Oh ! but be not too severe — you owe me 
 one smile now that we meet again, for I have wept so many 
 tears since last I parted from you ! {a pause) Not a word — 
 cruel ! cruel ! 
 
 Duch. {much moved) Poor girl ! 
 
 Zoe. What is it, then, you have to tell me ? Have you, as 
 you promised me you would, avowed all to your mother ? 
 
 Duch. Yes; but 
 
 Zoe. But — but what? She repels, rejects me !— ^-Is it that? 
 
40 
 
 OLD HOUSE ON THE BRIDGE. [ACT III. 
 
 Speak, will you not speak ? If about to kill — oh, at least, do 
 not torture me ! 
 
 Duch. Well, yonder we were indulging in a dream. 
 
 Zoe. ( with haggard eye ) A dream ? 
 
 Duch. Yes, for in accepting the wealth and title, bequeathed 
 to me by my adopted father 
 
 Zoe. Well ! 
 
 Duch. I must accept with them the conditions on which 
 they have been given to me. (Zoe looks at him without speak- 
 ing) And I must become the husband of another — my mother 
 exacts it— and I — I have promised — sworn ! 
 
 Zoe. ( wildly ) That is not true ! 
 
 Duch. Zoe ! 
 
 Zoe. {not weeping) ’Tis false — I say, false- — a cruel lie ! — I do 
 not know your purpose — it is, perhaps, to try me — you would 
 learn, perhaps, what I should feel at the thought of losing 
 you — is it that? Well, learn it then — at that thought my 
 blood is frozen : my heart stands still : my reason wanders ! 
 
 Duch. {aside) Oh, this is horrible ! 
 
 Zoe. You speak of wedding another woman — but do I not 
 know you too well to believe that that is possible. You, 
 Jules, are not the man, who, prompted by ambition, could crush 
 beneath his feet, to-day, the woman whom but yesterday he 
 adored — she who has wept with you in the past — smiled with 
 you at thought of all the future — stay — you said, an instant 
 since, that our past love was all a dream — but, surely it is now 
 that I am dreaming — and, oh, how frightfully ! Yes, yes, 
 that desertion, with which you threaten me — that projected 
 marriage — are false — false ! Renounce you, Jules — renounce 
 you ! — no, ere I do that, I’d snatch you from your mother’s 
 arms ! 
 
 Duch. Zoe! 
 
 {at the last word uttered by Zoe, Renard, on the landing , 
 makes an angry movement) 
 
 Duch. {aside, looking towards door) Ah, there is some one 
 behind that door — ’tis Renard ! {suddenly struck) Ah, I know 
 now ! If she departs so, he will kill her ! — oh, I will save her 
 — spite of herself, will save her ! {throwing himself at Zoe’s 
 feet) Zoe ! I implore you, listen to me — soon, perhaps, you 
 will know all — but now, in the name of your love, I pray that 
 you will not resist ! See, I am now at your feet — I entreat, 
 implore you, abandon me, Zoe— it must be so — it must ! Quit 
 Paris — quit France — return to the Antilles — my happiness — 
 your life depend upon it ! 
 
 (Duchernin at Zoe’s feet , and clasping her hands , is so 
 placed that the light falls upon his face — while he is speak- 
 ing Zoe gazes on him as if in a state of stupor) 
 
41 
 
 SC. I.] OLD HOUSE ON THE BRIDGE. 
 
 Zoe. ( starting from her chair) Ah ! 
 
 Duch. Why do you 
 
 Zoe. ( terrified ) You are not Jules de Lavergne ! 
 
 Duch. Great heavens ! 
 
 ( hurriedly rising , he knocks against the table and the lamp is 
 thrown to the ground and extinguished — at this moment , 
 on a signal from Renard, Guillot disappears down the 
 stairs , which leads to the door opening on to the river) 
 
 Zoe. (following Duchernin in the darkness) No, no, you are 
 not Jules de Lavergne — you have his features — his voice — 
 but you have not his look — you have not his soul — who then 
 are you ? 
 
 Duch. Silence ! 
 
 Zoe. Oh, no, no, I must know who you are — people will 
 answer to my cries, and ( calling ) Help there, help ! 
 
 Renard hurries into room , and places his hand on Zoe’s shoulder , 
 who releases Duchernin, uttering a cry. 
 
 Oh, help, help ! (falls fainting into Renard’s arms) 
 
 Enter Chevalier an d Antonin, from back , r. 
 
 Lat. Duchernin is then here before me — if he has seen that 
 
 girl — if they have come to an understanding against me 
 
 Ant. I am to kill the gentleman ! 
 
 Lat. Hush ! ( they remain at back concealed) 
 
 Ren. Remain you here, I say ! 
 
 Duch. What would you do with her ? 
 
 Ren. You will learn that soon enough. ( descends stairs , 
 carrying Zoe) 
 
 Duch. Ah, wretch ! — he would kill her ! ( descending stairs) 
 Stay, you shall not, you shall not ! 
 
 Renard has descended to the door , ivhich opens on to the river , 
 when Justine hastily enters from the back room on ground 
 floor. 
 
 Just. Oh, they have murdered her — help, help ! 
 
 Ren. ( disappearing through door that leads to the river) 
 Silence that woman, or we are lost. 
 
 J ust. ( rushing from the house) They have killed the poor 
 young creature, (going over to Mauviette’s shop and knocking) 
 Murder, murder ! 
 
 Lat. The girl dead ? (to Antonin) Strike then — it is my 
 last chance, (hurries off) 
 
 Duchernin staggers wildly and bewildered from the house in 
 pursuit of Justine — as he is passing over towards hei •, 
 Antonin runs forward and stabs him in his back — the 
 door of Mauviette's shop opens at the moment Antonin 
 
42 
 
 OLD HOUSE ON THE BRIDGE. [ACT III. 
 
 stabs Duchernin, and Desormes hurries after Antonin, 
 ivho has darted away , L. — Duchernin with a cry falls to the 
 ground— Mauviette and Constant enter — Mauviette 
 hurries across into Antonin's house — Constant runs to 
 Duchernin — Desormes returns, l., dragging Antonin — 
 Eenard appears at doorway of house, and stands amazed 
 — Mauviette is seen in top room, looking wildly around , 
 and wringing her hands , &c., &c. — Grand Tableau. 
 
 Scene Second. — Front Street. 
 
 Enter Guillot, l. 
 
 Guil. So far that’s settled. The Bohemian is dead ; and 
 I’m rather sorry for him, for he wasn’t so bad as his friend, 
 that infernal 
 
 Enter Renard, l. 
 
 Ah, my dear fellow — you look uncomfortable ! 
 
 Ren. Killed — and just as you and the other man had thrown 
 that girl into the river and made our game so safe. 
 
 Guil. Well, it is not so bad now. 
 
 Ren. What do you mean? 
 
 Guil. Why, don’t you see ? 
 
 Ren. I see that luck is against me. 
 
 Guil. That’s hard too, for you are such an industrious man. 
 
 * But don’t you see that we are still masters of the Chevalier’s 
 secret, and he will be forced to buy us off. 
 
 Ren. Ah — yes ! 
 
 Guil. True, the Count’s property must first come into his 
 hands — but only to give it over to ours directly afterwards. 
 
 Ren. Good — you are right. Thank you, Master Guillot — 
 thank you. 
 
 Guil. Then I have infused comfort to your sorrowing bosom? 
 
 Ren. Yes, yes! 
 
 Guil. And I am g'lad of it — for you are a worthy creature. 
 
 Ren. Eh ? 
 
 Guil. There is another thing — Duchernin was killed by 
 Antonin ; but of course he was employed by the Chevalier. 
 
 Ren. I am sure of that. 
 
 Guil. And Antonin will be certain to confess as much. 
 
 Ren. In that case the Chevalier would probably be hanged 
 — and where then would be our hope of fortune? 
 
 Guil. Lor ! I did not think of that ! 
 
 Ren. No, no ; I can see how it will be managed : Antonin 
 will be silent, and the Chevalier will procure his escape. 
 
 Guil. Ah! — to be sure — that’s it — and a very proper 
 arrangement. 
 
43 
 
 SC. II.] OLD HOUSE ON THE BRIDGE. 
 
 Ren. I must leave you now for awhile. 
 
 Guil. Dear me, I am very sorry. 
 
 Ren. Give me your hand, Guillot — you have behaved well, 
 and I like you — you are a capital fellow ! 
 
 Guil. You’re another. Renard goes off, R. 
 
 Yes, he is a capital fellow — and would adorn a gibbet beautifully 
 — and I shall soon have the pleasure to see him dangling. 
 
 Enter Mauviette, l. 
 
 Mauviette — what are you doing here ? 
 
 Matjv. So I have found you ? 
 
 Guil. My love, I assure you I have never been lost. ’Tis 
 true we are in the street ; but ’tis rather dark, nobody about, 
 and we are man and wife — so, one kiss ? 
 
 Mauv. Keep off — don’t touch me ! 
 
 Guil. Eh ! if I was not perfectly aware you have a great 
 aversion for ardent spirits, I should believe you had been 
 drinking. 
 
 Mauv. You were in Antonin’s house when 
 
 Guil. Eh — you know that ! but what of it ? 
 
 Mauv. Ask your accomplice, Renard. 
 
 Guil. Oh ! 
 
 Mauv. And you had not courage to save the poor young 
 lady ! 
 
 Guil. Mauviette, don’t libel your noble husband — I did 
 save her. 
 
 Mauv. ( joyfully ) Ah ! — yet no, for she’s gone ! dead ! 
 
 Guil. Gone dead — no she isn’t — she is alive and kicking — 
 no, I don’t mean that, it would not be ladylike to kick — I mean, 
 in safety. 
 
 Mauv. May I believe you ? 
 
 Guil. (grandly) How ! Did you ever know me to tell a 
 falsehood ? 
 
 Mauv. Yes ; hundreds ! 
 
 Guil. {indignantly) Madame, {speahs coolly) Well, I rather 
 fancy you are right. But now listen, and admire your con- 
 siderably better half. That rascal, Renard, gave the poor 
 young lady to a gentleman he had brought with him, with 
 orders to knock her on the head, and then throw her into the 
 river ; and after issuing those pleasant orders, went to look 
 after his friend, the Bohemian ; — and then I — Mauviette, what 
 do you think I did ? 
 
 Mauv. Oh, speak ! 
 
 Guil. Why, like a man, I stole behind the murdering thief 
 who was about to kill the young lady, and then I —don’t 
 tremble, Mauviette — 'then I gave him a dig in the ribs with his 
 
44 
 
 OLD HOUSE ON THE BRIDGE. [ACT III. 
 
 own dagger, and toppled him into the river; and now he’s a 
 delicate supper for the hungry little tittlebats. 
 
 Mauv. {embracing him) Oh, my dear Guillot ! bless you — 
 now I do love you. 
 
 Guil. Only now ? — then what a swindler you have been ! 
 But wait a bit, Mauviette, and I shall have a still greater 
 surprise for you — ay, and for a few more too ! 
 
 Mauv. What do you mean ? 
 
 Guil. I mean a pleasant surprise, and 
 
 Enter Louise, r. 
 
 Oh, lor ! — here’s a pleasant surprise for me now ! {{dodges 
 behind Mauviette) 
 
 Louise. Ah ! Mauviette, I was on my way to your shop ; 
 this is a fete night with us, and Mademoiselle Julie not being 
 satisfied with her bouquet 
 
 Mauv. Oh ! then Guillot will run. 
 
 Louise. Guillot ! is he here — where ? 
 
 Mauv. He was here — why where ? 
 
 Guil. {coming from behind Mauviette on her L.) Here I 
 am — didn’t you see me ? Ah ! Louise — hem ! how d’ye do, 
 Louise ? ( nodding significantly ) 
 
 Louise, (r.) Why are you nodding and winking at me? 
 
 Mauv. {{turning towards Guillot) What ! 
 
 Guil. (l., stamping) Oh ! oh ! Mauviette, just take this 
 what’s-his-name out of my eye, will you ? 
 
 Louise, {to Mauviette) You appear to have some influence 
 with Guillot ? 
 
 Mauv. (smiling) Well, considering he is my husband 
 
 Louise. What ! 
 
 Guil. {crossing to Louise, and forcing a laugh) Ha ! ha ! ha ! 
 la ! didn’t you know — droll, isn’t it — yes, certainly, she is my 
 husband — took me for better or worse, didn’t you — eh, 
 Mauviette ? Ha ! ha ! ha ! 
 
 Louise, {aside to him) Oh, you villain ! 
 
 Guil. Yes : but don’t tell anybody — leastways my wife — for 
 if you do, I never dare go home any more ! 
 
 Mauv. (l.) Why, what are you talking about, there ? 
 
 Louise. Concerning a proposal that Monsieur Guillot once 
 made to me. 
 
 Mauv. A proposal of marriage ? 
 
 GurL. Bless you, no. ( aside , to Louise,) Have pity on my 
 misery. (Louise laughs) I proposed one day to dine with her, 
 when she had roast goose for dinner. 
 
 Louise, {to Guillot) I rather fancy I am roasting a goose 
 now ! 
 
 Guil. Yes ; but spare my wife — she is such a duck. 
 
45 
 
 SC. III.] OLD HOUSE ON THE BRIDGE. 
 
 Louise, {aloud) And you told me you were single ! 
 
 Mauv. What’s that ? 
 
 Guil. {quickly) She says that, before I was married, I told 
 her I was single — quite right, so I did. (Louise laughs) 
 
 Louise. And told me that he loved 
 
 Mauv. Eh? 
 
 Guil. Yes; so I did. I told her that I loved you better 
 than all the world, {aside, to Louise) Oh — I say — don’t you 
 think I have been long enough on the gridiron ? 
 
 Louise. Well, I don’t know. 
 
 Guil. {aside) She’s as savage as a wild Indian. 
 
 Mauv. (taking Guillot’s arm) Come Louise, we will return 
 together to my shop — it is but a step. 
 
 Louise, {taking Guillot’s other arm) Yes ; let us go. 
 
 Guil. Oh ! {aside) Now I am pinned ! {to Louise) If you 
 intend that I should commit suicide, say so. 
 
 Louise. No ; I will not torment you any more — for, bless 
 you, if you were single, I wouldn’t have you. 
 
 Guil. Of course not ; I am quite beneath your notice. 
 {aside) Poor, disappointed creature, I can see she idolizes me. 
 (Louise looks at Guillot, and laughs) There — now she’s 
 growing hysterical ! (Louise continues laughing) Exeunt , l. 
 
 Scene Third. — Illuminated Gardens — at back , the mansion of 
 the Countess , brilliantly lighted — terraces , statues , &c, — a large 
 tuft of bushes , R. c. — Ladies and Gentlemen j promenading . 
 
 Latour. {coming forward) Midnight ! this day has finished 
 well for me — there is now no one to cross the path of my 
 fortune, or my love. 
 
 Enter Desormes, r. u. e. 
 
 Des. Chevalier — friends — I am the bearer of melancholy 
 tidings. Monsieur Jules de Lavergne has been assassinated. 
 {general start) 
 
 Lat. Assassinated! 
 
 Des. (to Latour eyeing him keenly) And you had no 
 
 suspicion of that fact ? 
 
 Lat. I— what mean you? 
 
 Des. Behold! 
 
 (Duchernin’s body , lying on a bier , and entirely covered 
 with a cloak , is brought on by four men , l. u. e. — 
 Constant walking beside it) 
 
 Des. See, Chevalier, {turning down cloak from Duchernin’s 
 face) See. {pointedly) It is, indeed, the body of Jules de 
 Lavergne. 
 
 Lat. {aside) How strange his manner ! 
 
 Count, {without). Oh, my son — my son ! 
 
46 
 
 OLD HOUSE ON THE BRIDGE. [ACT III. 
 
 (Desormes hastily replaces cloak over the face o/Duchernin 
 — Guests crowd round the bier , which has been placed 
 close to the tuft of bushes , concealing it from the view of 
 the Countess, who rushes wildly on, followed by Julie, r. 
 
 Count. Assassinated ! Let me pass — let me pass ! 
 
 Julie. ( throwing her arms round her) Dear aunt ! 
 
 Count. Leave me, I say — my son, my poor Jules — dead — 
 dead ! 
 
 Zoe. (appearing suddenly, from L. u. e.) Do not weep, madam 
 — that man was not your son. (Guests remove from the bier) 
 
 Count. ( astounded ) What say you ? 
 
 Zoe. The truth ! 
 
 Count. He was not my son ? 
 
 Zoe. I swear it, madam — I, Zoe de la Roche — the affianced 
 bride of Jules de Lavergne. 
 
 Lat. (aside) Zoe ! (Renard is brought on in custody, L. u. E.) 
 
 Zoe. And see — ask of this miserable wretch who would have 
 slain me that I might not reveal to you their horrible deception. 
 
 Ren. (aside, terrified) Living ! 
 
 Zoe. Infamous villain ! (going to Renard) what have you 
 done with Jules de Lavergne, the son of the Countess — the 
 man that I adore ? 
 
 Ren. (terrified, shrinking to l.) Leave me — leave me ! 
 
 Zoe. Leave you ? — I — Zoe — the Creole ? Look at me ! 
 I will read your secret heart, even though to reach it I should 
 be forced with my own hands to tear it from your breast. The 
 truth, then, I must, I will have it ! What have you done with 
 Jules de Lavergne ? — answer ! answer ! 
 
 Ren. (appears fascinated , and in great terror falls on his 
 knees) Yes, yes; I will confess all — but look not at me thus: 
 your eyes burn me ; they drive me mad ! 
 
 Zoe. ( bending over him) Speak, then, wretch ! 
 
 Ren. Well — he too — he is dead. 
 
 Zoe. Ah ! 
 
 Count. Oh, heaven ! 
 
 Ren. Yes, dead — cowardly murdered in my tavern by the 
 Chevalier de Latour. 
 
 Lat. (r.) Ah! it is beneath my dignity to defend myself ’gainst 
 such an accusation. It was lie himself, no doubt, that slew 
 Jules de Lavergne — aided by his accomplice — by whose 
 resemblance he wished to profit. Who would dare to assert 
 the contrary ? — and who of so odious a crime would dare to 
 accuse the Chevalier de Latour ? 
 
 Enter Jules de Lavergne suddenly, l. u. e. 
 
 Lave, (c.) I — Jules de Lavergne ! (general amazement) 
 
 Zoe. (with a joyful cry) Ah! 
 
47 
 
 SC. III.] OLD HOUSE ON THE BRIDGE. 
 
 Count, [throwing herself into his arms) My son! 
 
 Guillot struts on , l. u. e. — Mauviette and Louise, one on 
 each arm — Benard is seized and taken up l. 
 
 Lat. ( aside , terror-stricken) He ! 
 
 Lave. Yes, dear mother, your son whom heaven restores to 
 you ! You know me, do you not, Chevalier de Lat our? And 
 on my breast there is a wound which still better you would 
 recognise ! Come, what do you reply ? — dare you still deny 
 you are a coward — an infamous assassin ? 
 
 Lat. I 
 
 Guil. And if he does, put me into the witness box. 
 
 Lave. Mother — ( pointing to Guillot) my preserver ! 
 
 Zoe. And mine ! 
 
 Guil. Just as I was going to faint, I heard him groan — and 
 that gave me courage — I lugged him out of the cellar — carried 
 him to a boat — and, afraid to bring him here, kept him snug 
 till he was safe— and now, here he is — and here am I — and 
 there’s the Chevalier and his worthy friend, Eenard — thought 
 to get the best of a lawyer’s clerk, didn’t you, you d — d rascals! 
 
 Mauv. ( embracing him) My dear Guillot ! 
 
 Louise. (< embracing him) You dear fellow! 
 
 Guil. Don’t, Louise — pray have some respect for delicacy — 
 consider, I am a married man, and likely to be the father of a 
 family. 
 
 Count. My son ! (passing Zoe to him) My daughter! 
 
 Des. (to Constant and Julie— pointing to Lavergne and 
 Zoe) You see? 
 
 Con. Ah ! yes ! 
 
 Julie. Oh! what happiness ! 
 
 Des. (giving papers to Countess, and pointing to Her) 
 Madame, these papers are for you, and were entrusted to my 
 care by that unhappy man who, when dying 
 
 Count, (aside — having read) Oh! heaven! that boy stolen 
 from the Count’s protection — it was he, my long-lost son ! 
 
 Lave. What say you, mother? 
 
 Count. Nothing, nothing! 
 
 Lave. For you, Chevalier 
 
 Lat. For me — (turning towards Lavergne, opening vest , 
 and showing blood upon his breast) Behold ! (staggers and drops 
 a poniard from his hand) If I have lived unworthily, I can at 
 least die bravely, (falls dead — Tableau) 
 
 Curtain. 
 
 Printed by Thomas Scott, !, Warwick Court, Holborn. 
 
lacy’s Acting Edition of Plays, 6d. each- 
 
 Or in Volumes , 
 VOLUME l. 
 
 1 Time Tries All 
 
 2 Practical Man 
 
 3 Soldier’s Progress 
 
 4 11 eigning Favourite 
 
 5 Swiss Cottage 
 
 6 Ladder of Love 
 
 7 Daughter 
 
 8 Two Queens 
 
 9 How do you Manage? 
 
 10 Comfortable Service 
 
 11 Passing Cloud 
 
 12 Creole, or Love’s 
 Fetters 
 
 13 Novelty Fair 
 
 14 Philosopher’s Stone 
 
 13 Diogenes and his 
 Lantern 
 VOLUME 2, 
 
 16 Esmeralda 
 
 1 7 Power and Principle 
 
 18 Out on the Loose 
 
 19 Poor Cousin Walter 
 
 20 Vicar of Wakefield 
 
 21 Domestic Economy 
 
 22 Daughter of theStars 
 
 23 Woodman's Spell 
 
 24 Jack in the Green 
 
 25 Without Incum- 
 
 brances [Tower 
 
 26 Princesses in the 
 
 27 Platonic Attach- 
 ments 
 
 28 Born to Good Luck 
 My Wife’s Daughter 
 
 30 Husband of my 
 Heart 
 
 VOLUME 3. 
 
 31 Serve Him Right 
 :t I’ll be your Second 
 83 Harlequin Alfred the 
 
 Great [noghue 
 
 34 Harlequin O’Do- 
 
 35 Prince Dorus T ding 
 
 36 D ay after the Werl- 
 PruVng the Wind 
 
 38 Rob Roy Alaegregor 
 
 39 Belphegor 
 
 40 La Tarantula 
 
 41 All that Glitters is 
 
 not Gold 
 
 42 High Life b’low Stairs 
 
 43 Bombastes Furioso 
 
 14 Exposition 
 
 45 Alhambra 
 
 VOLUME 4. 
 
 46 Sir Roger deCoverley 
 
 47 The Ladies’ Eattle 
 
 48 “Apartments,” Visi- 
 
 tors to the Exhibi- 
 tion, &c. 
 
 49 Cheap Excursion 
 
 50 Woman’s Love 
 
 51 Fast Coach 
 
 52 Fire Eater [Change 
 
 53 Anything for a 
 
 54 Grimshaw, Bagshaw 
 
 and Bradshaw 
 
 55 Tooth-ache 
 66 Lady Godiva 
 
 57 Angelo 
 
 58 Marv Queen of Scots 
 
 59 Lovers’ Quarrels 
 
 60 Carpenter of Rouen 
 
 VOLUME 5. 
 
 61 Pauline 
 
 62 Cool as a Cucumber 
 
 63 Hopeless Passion 
 
 64 Game of Speculation 
 
 65 Thumping Legacy 
 
 66 Thetis and Peleus 
 
 67 Guardian Angel 
 
 68 Two Bonnycastles 
 
 69 Counter Attractions 
 
 70 I’ve Eaten my Friend 
 
 71 Tender Precautions 
 
 72 Harlequin Hogarth 
 
 73 Box and Cox 
 
 74 Willow-Pattern Plate 
 
 75 Organic Affection 
 
 VOLUME 6. 
 
 76 Duel in the Dark 
 
 77 Kiss in the Dark 
 
 78 Cherry and Fair Star 
 
 79 Corsican Brothers 
 
 80 Our Clerks [tuse. 
 
 81 MatrimonialProspec- 
 
 82 El Hyder [Hercules 
 
 83 Twelve Labours of 
 
 84 WhoStolethePocket 
 
 85 Wittikind [Book? 
 
 86 Lost Husband 
 
 87 King of the Alps 
 
 88 Ganem 
 
 89 Taking by Storm 
 SO Very Suspicious 
 
 VOLUME 7. 
 
 91 Left the Stage 
 
 92 Rose of Ettrick Vale 
 
 93 Unwarrantable In- 
 
 trusion 
 
 94 Binks the Bagman 
 
 95 Miller of Whetstone 
 
 96 “ Matrimonial,” &c. 
 
 97 Book the Third, 
 
 Chapter the First 
 
 98 Sink or Swim 
 
 99 Writing on the Wall 
 
 100 John Dobbs [ness 
 
 101 Son of the Wilder- 
 
 102 Drunkard [mond 
 
 103 Diamond Cut Dia- 
 
 104 Gale Breezely 
 
 105 Master Passion 
 
 VOLUME 8. 
 
 106 Prima Donna 
 
 107 Wan ted, lOuO Young 
 Milliners 
 
 108 Macbeth Travestie 
 
 109 Critic 
 
 110 Slasher and Crasher 
 
 111 Not a Bai Judge 
 
 112 Woman 1 Adore 
 
 113 Box and Cox Mar- 
 ried and Settled 
 
 114 Mysterious Lady 
 
 115 My Precious Betsy 
 
 116 Capital Match 
 
 117 House Out of Win- 
 dows 
 
 , at Is. each , Post free . 
 
 175 Whitebait atG reef 
 wich [Business 
 
 118 Betsy Baker 
 
 119 Gotobed Tom 
 
 120 Jenkinses 
 
 VOLUME 9. 
 
 121 Phenomenon in 
 Smock Frock 
 
 122 HarlequinHudibras 
 
 123 Cherry 
 
 124 Loan of a Lover 
 
 125 Good Woman in the 
 Wood 
 
 126 Leo the Terrible 
 
 127 Bold Dragoons 
 
 128 ’Twas I 
 
 129 Where there’s „ 
 Will there’s a Way 
 
 130 Gilileroy [Danger 
 
 131 Your Life’s in 
 132Macbeth 
 
 133 Violet 
 
 134 Louis XI. [£5 
 
 135 To Paris &Back for 
 
 VOLUME 10. 
 
 136 Obstinate Family 
 
 137 Civilization, Is. 
 
 138 Marco Spada 
 
 139 Strange History 
 
 140 Raffaelle the Re- 
 probate 
 
 141 Buckstone’s Ascent 
 of Mount Parnassus 
 
 142 Stage Struck 
 
 143 Elopementsin High 
 Life, Is. 
 
 144 Desperate Game 
 
 145 Uncle Crotchet 
 
 146 Ladies at Home 
 
 147 Hamlet Travestie 
 
 148 A. S. S. 
 
 149 Fast Train [Pail 
 
 150 Maid with Milking 
 VOLUME 11. 
 
 151 Trying it on 
 
 152 Gold 
 
 153 Mob Cap 
 
 154 Lawyers 
 
 155 Sardanapalus, Is. 
 
 156 Rappings and Table 
 Movings 
 
 157 HandsomeHusband 
 
 158 Times 
 
 159 Shylock [the Tiger 
 
 160 P.P., or the Man & 
 
 161 Going to Chobham 
 
 162 Acis and Galatea 
 
 163 My First Fit of the 
 
 Gout [Lady 
 
 164 Locked in with a 
 
 165 Somebody Else 
 VOLUME 12. 
 
 166 DonCsesardeBazan 
 
 167 Chesterfield Thin- 
 skin 
 
 168 Fountain of Beauty 
 
 169 Hotel Charges [pic 
 
 170 Camp at the Olym- 
 
 171 Curious Case 
 
 172 Midas 
 
 173 Little Toddlekinj 
 
 174 Egyptian, Is. 
 
 176 Pretty Piece of 
 
 177 Bachelor of Aits 
 
 178 Uncle Tom’s Cabin 
 
 179 Miller of Derwent 
 
 180 Pet of the Public 
 
 VOLUME 13. 
 
 181 To Farents & Guar- 
 dians T Happy 
 
 182 How to make H <>me 
 
 183 Hope of the Family 
 
 184 Cure for Love __ 
 
 185 Nice Firm V 
 
 186 Once Upon a Time 
 There Were Two 
 Kings 
 
 187 Lancers 
 
 188 First Night 
 
 189 Ladies’ Club 
 
 190 Perfection 
 
 191 Plot and Passion 
 
 192 Ranelagh 
 
 193 Richard the Third 
 
 194 Invasion Russia 
 
 195 Sea of. ~ 'The) 
 VOLUME 14. 
 
 196 Away with Melan- 
 choly [Dinah 
 
 197 WiJlikind and hys 
 
 198 Good Run for it 
 
 199 No. 1, Round tl^ 
 Corner [Cup' 
 
 Four t funct x weight of the above by Post for One Penny. 
 
 200 Storm in a Tea 
 
 201 Jacobite (The) 
 
 202 MarriedUn-married 
 
 203 Broken Toys 
 204Louise deLignerollet 
 
 205 Moustache Move- 
 ment [Conjuror 
 
 206 ’Twould Puzzle a 
 
 207 Deaf as a Post 
 
 208 To Oblige Benson 
 
 209 Follies of a Night 
 
 210 Family Jars 
 VOLUME 15. 
 
 211 Mr. Buckstone’s 
 Voyage Round the 
 Globe 
 
 212 Lord Bateman’s 
 Overland Journey 
 
 213 Faust and Margue* 
 rite 
 
 214 Marble Heart, Is,* 
 
 215 Knights of the 
 Round Table, Is. 
 
 216 Rent Day (The) 
 
 217 From Village to 
 Court (the Cioud* 
 
 218 Sunshine through 
 
 219 Waiting for an Om- 
 nibus 
 
 220 Courier of Lyons 
 
 221 Heads or Tails ? 
 
 222 Alcesns, Travestie 
 
 223 Old Chateau 
 
 224 Eustache 
 
 225 As Like as fwt 
 Peas