Scene X
870 Words
(Cl onte, Lucile, Covielle, Nicole)
NICOLE
For my part, I was completely shocked at it.
LUCILE
It can only be, Nicole, what I told you. But there he is.
CL ONTE
I don't even want to speak to her.
COVIELLE
I'll imitate you.
LUCILE
What's the matter Cl onte? What's wrong with you?
NICOLE
What's the matter with you, Covielle?
LUCILE
What grief possesses you?
NICOLE
What bad humor holds you?
LUCILE
Are you mute, Cl onte?
NICOLE
Have you lost your voice, Covielle?
CL ONTE
Is this not villainous!
COVIELLE
It's a Judas!
LUCILE
I clearly see that our recent meeting has troubled you.
CL ONTE
Ah! Ah! She sees what she's done.
NICOLE
Our greeting this morning has annoyed you.
COVIELLE
She has guessed the problem.
LUCILE
Isn't it true, Cl onte, that this is the cause of your resentment?
CL ONTE
Yes, perfidious one, it is, since I must speak; and I must tell that you shall not triumph in your faithlessness as you think, I want to be the first to break with you, and you won't have the advantage of driving me away. I will have difficulty in conquering the love I have for you; it will cause me pain; I will suffer for a while. But I'll come through it, and I would rather stab myself through the heart than have the weakness to return to you.
COVIELLE
Me too.
LUCILE
What an uproar over nothing. I want to tell you, Cl onte, what made me avoid joining you this morning.
CL ONTE
No, I don't want to listen to anything . . .
NICOLE
I want to tell you what made us pass so quickly.
COVIELLE
I don't want to hear anything.
LUCILE
(Following Cl onte) Know that this morning . . .
CL ONTE
No, I tell you.
NICOLE
(Following Covielle) Learn that . . .
COVIELLE
No, traitor.
LUCILE
Listen.
CL ONTE
I won't listen.
NICOLE
Let me speak.
COVIELLE
I'm deaf.
LUCILE
Cl onte!
CL ONTE
No.
NICOLE
Covielle!
COVIELLE
I won't listen.
LUCILE
Stop.
CL ONTE
Gibberish!
NICOLE
Listen to me.
COVIELLE
Rubbish!
LUCILE
One moment.
CL ONTE
Never.
NICOLE
A little patience.
COVIELLE
Not interested!
LUCILE
Two words.
CL ONTE
No, you've had them.
NICOLE
One word.
COVIELLE
No more talking.
LUCILE
Alright! Since you don't want to listen to me, think what you like, and do what you want.
NICOLE
Since you act like that, make whatever you like of it all.
CL ONTE
Let us know the reason, then, for such a fine reception.
LUCILE
It no longer pleases me to say.
COVIELLE
Let us know something of your story.
NICOLE
I ,myself, no longer want to tell you.
CL ONTE
Tell me . . .
LUCILE
No, I don't want to say anything.
COVIELLE
Tell it . . .
NICOLE
No, I'll tell nothing.
CL ONTE
For pity . . .
LUCILE
No, I say.
COVIELLE
Have mercy.
NICOLE
It's no use.
CL ONTE
I beg you.
LUCILE
Leave me . . .
COVIELLE
I plead with you.
NICOLE
Get out of here.
CL ONTE
Lucile!
LUCILE
No.
COVIELLE
Nicole!
NICOLE
Never.
CL ONTE
In the name of God! . . .
LUCILE
I don't want to.
COVIELLE
Talk to me.
NICOLE
Definitely not.
CL ONTE
Clear up my doubts.
LUCILE
No, I'll do nothing.
COVIELLE
Relieve my mind!
NICOLE
No, I don't care to.
CL ONTE
Alright! since you are so little concerned to take me out of my pain and to justify yourself for the shameful treatment you gave to my passion, you are seeing me, ingrate, for the last time, and I am going far from you to die of sorrow and love.
COVIELLE
And I -- I will follow in his steps.
LUCILE
Cl onte!
NICOLE
Covielle!
CL ONTE
What?
COVIELLE
Yes?
LUCILE
Where are you going?
CL ONTE
Where I told you.
COVIELLE
We are going to die.
LUCILE
You are going to die, Cl onte?
CL ONTE
Yes, cruel one, since you wish it.
LUCILE
Me! I wish you to die?
CL ONTE
Yes, you wish it.
LUCILE
Who told you that?
CL ONTE
Is it not wishing it when you don't wish to clear up my suspicions?
LUCILE
Is it my fault? And, if you had wished to listen to me, would I not have told you that the incident you complain of was caused this morning by the presence of an old aunt who insists that the mere approach of a man dishonors a woman -- an aunt who constantly delivers sermons to us on this text, and tells us that all men are like devils we must flee?
NICOLE
There's the key to the entire affair.
CL ONTE
Are you sure you're not deceiving me, Lucile?
COVIELLE
Aren't you making this up?
LUCILE
There's nothing more true.
NICOLE
It's the absolute truth.
COVIELLE
Are we going to give in to this?
CL ONTE
Ah! Lucile, how with a word from your lips you are able to appease the things in my heart, and how easily one allows himself to be persuaded by the people one loves!
COVIELLE
How easily we are manipulated by these blasted minxes!
- Writer
