ACT I
SCENE I
A beautiful part of the Garden of Versailles. Fountain of Neptune with statues.
Le Sage walking about as though musing.
Le Sage
Solve me this problem, Le Sage, if thou canst. Why should the Duke d'Antin occupy his thoughts with a young peasant? Why so earnestly desire that his majesty should behold her ? Unquestionably there is a mystery; indubitably a mystery ! But thou shall solve it, Le Sage! Thou hast a head, incontestibly a head, unqualifiedly a wise head, undoubtedly a head that sees.
Enter Duke D'Antin, L. 1 E.
D'Ant
Better than your eyes, I trust, Le Sage.
Le Sage. Pardon, your Grace. Indisputably I did not observe you.
D'Ant
I am all impatience to learn what took place last evening.
Le Sage
Your Grace shall hear. Preparatively I need not inform your Grace that, obeying your orders, I made myself acquainted with Dame Babette, down at the village, St. Denis, yonder. Instantaneously I discovered that your Grace had been rightly informed, and that the Duke de Richelieu frequently visits the dame's cottage in the garb of a citizen. Unsuspiciously the dame calls him Monsieur Antoine.
D'Ant
All this I know; proceed.
Le Sage
Voluntarily!
D'Ant
You talked to the dame and her young charge of these charming gardens, as 1 ordered?
Le Sage
I painted the beauties of Versailles with the hand of an artist and the tongue of a poet! Mam'selle Blanche was enchanted. Courteously I promised to obtain her and the dame an admission ; accordingly, yesterday evening at dusk, when the garden was wholly deserted, I conducted them to this very spot. Secretly I then dispatched Victor to the King. Insinuatingly he suggested to his Majesty, that a miraculously lovely young peasant girl had, with a very talkative old woman, inexplicably obtained admission to his private gardens, and was wandering about in iecstatically rustic delight.
D'Ant
Go on, go on.
Le Sage
Immediately!
D'Ant
Did he come ? Did he see her?
Le Sage
Certainly. His Majesty was unsuspectedly dying of ennui. Involuntarily he revived at the thought of an adventure, prudentially wrapped himself in a cloak, and unreflectingly hastened to the garden.
D'Ant
And then, then he joined the peasants?
Le Sage
Indubitably.
D'Ant
They did not suspect that he was the king?
Le Sage
Incontestibly not.
D'Ant
He was fascinated with Blanche?
Le Sage
Indescribably!
D'Ant
He became joyous, elated, excited?
Le Sage
Extraordinarily!
D'Ant
Blanche was gay, artless, piquante?
Le Sage
Superlatively!
D'Ant
Hush! Victor comes this way. (crossing R.) Question him closely. This evening you shall have further directions. Be cautious. (Exit R. 1 E.)
Le Sage
Invariably!
Enter VICTOR, L. 1 E
Victor
Ah! Monsieur Le Sage, we are charmed to encounter you.
Le Sage
Delightedly I salute his Majesty in miniature.
Victor
If you reflect on our size, Monsieur Le Sage, we would inform you--
Le Sage
That it is immeasurably beneath my notice. -A particularly correct and pungently philosophical conclusion. But, Monsieur Victor, a word concerning the young peasant, who yesterevening-
Victor
Ah! You touch us nearly when you talk of her! Our love for the "illusive sex" for such we deem them- is our Achilles' heel- our vulnerable point! His Majesty, like ourself, has been cold for a season; but once more the intoxicating effect of the tender passion has overpowered us.In a word, his Majesty is pleased with this young piece of incarnate loveliness, we may say charmed.
Enter King and Richelieu. L. 3 E.
In a word, his Majesty is pleased with this young piece of incarnate loveliness,- we may say charmed.
King
Boy, thou art overbold to speak of this
To other than ourselves. Away, and be
The answer to our wish when next you seek
Our presence. Go! You comprehend us, sir?
Victor and Le Sage make a low obeisance.
Exeunt Victor and Le Sage, L. u. E.
Here, Richelieu, is the consecrated spot
Where I beheld her first. Here would I raise
An altar, sacred,- not to love, (no rood
Within our kingdom but were meet for that.) Be this to first impressions dedicated!