The Stepmother, A Drama in Five Acts by Honore De Balzac

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Vernon
Listen! General! (Aside) We must get him away somehow. (Aloud) There
is but a faint hope of saving her.

The General
You told me--You must have been deceiving me!

Vernon
My friend, we have to look this catastrophe in the face, as we had to
look towards the batteries through a shower of bullets! On such
occasions, when I hesitated, you always went forward. (Aside) That is
a good idea! (Aloud) You had better bring to her the consolations of
religion.

The General
Vernon, I wish to see her, to give her my last kiss.

Vernon
Be careful!

The General (kissing her)
Oh! How icy cold she is!

Vernon
That is a peculiarity of her sickness, General. Hurry to the priest's
house, for in case my remedies fail, it is not right that your
daughter, who has been reared as a Christian, should be forgotten by
the Church.

The General
Ah! yes. I will go.

(The General moves towards the bed.)

Vernon (pointing towards the door)
This way!

The General
I quite lose my head; I am distracted--O Vernon, work a miracle for
us! You have saved so many people--and here you cannot save the life
of my child!

Vernon
Come, come, be off. (Aside) I must go with him, for if he meets the
magistrates there will be more trouble still.

(Exit the General and Vernon.)

SCENE THIRD

Pauline and Ferdinand.

Pauline
Ferdinand!

Ferdinand
Ah! My God! Can this be her last sigh? Pauline, you are my very life;
if Vernon does not save you, I will follow you, and we shall still be
united.

Pauline
I shall expire, then, without a single regret.

Ferdinand (takes up the flask)
That which would have saved you, if the doctor had arrived earlier,
shall deliver me from life.

Pauline
No, for you may still be happy.

Ferdinand
Never, without you.

Pauline
Your words revive me.

SCENE FOURTH

The same persons and Vernon.

Ferdinand
She speaks; her eyes once more are open.

Vernon
Poor child! There she falls asleep again. What shall the waking be?

(Ferdinand sits down again and takes the hand of Pauline.)

SCENE FIFTH

The same persons, Ramel, the Investigating Magistrate, a Doctor, a
Corporal of Police and Marguerite.

Marguerite
M. Vernon, the magistrates are here. M. Ferdinand, you must leave the
room.

(Exit Ferdinand.)

Ramel
Take care, corporal, that all the entrances of this house are guarded,
and observe our orders! Doctor, can we remain here a few moments
without danger to the sick lady?

Vernon
She is asleep, sir; and it is her last slumber.

Marguerite
Here is the cup into which the infusion was poured and which still has
traces of arsenic; I perceived it there as soon as I took hold of it.

The Doctor (examining the cup and tasting the contents)
It is evident that the liquid contains some poisonous substance.

The Magistrate
Please to make an analysis of it. (He sees Marguerite picking up a
small piece of paper from the ground.) What paper is that?

Marguerite
Oh, it is nothing.

Ramel
In such cases as these, nothing is insignificant in the eyes of
magistrates! Yes, gentlemen, we shall have to examine this paper
later. What can have delayed M. de Grandchamp?

Vernon
He is at the priest's house, but he will not stay there long.

The Magistrate (to the doctor)
Have you made your examination yet, sir?

(The two physicians converse together at the head of the bed.)

Ramel (to the magistrate)
If the General returns, we must deal with him according to the
circumstances.

(Marguerite is weeping, kneeling at the foot of the bed; the two
physicians, the judge and Ramel are grouped in the front of the
stage.)

Ramel (to the doctor)
It is therefore of your opinion, sir, that the illness of Mlle. de
Grandchamp, whom we saw two days ago full of health, and even of
happiness, is the result of a crime?

The Doctor
The symptoms of poisoning are undeniable.

Ramel
And are the remains of the poison contained in this cup so
discernible, and present in such a quantity, as to furnish legal
proof?

The Doctor
Yes, sir.

The Magistrate (to Vernon)
This woman alleges, sir, that yesterday, at four o'clock, you
prescribed for Mlle. de Grandchamp an infusion of orange leaves, as a
soothing draught for the nervous excitement which followed upon an
interview between the stepmother and her stepdaughter; she says,
moreover, that Madame de Grandchamp, who had despatched you on an
empty errand to a place four leagues away, had insisted upon preparing
and giving everything to her daughter herself; is this true?

Vernon
Yes, sir.

Marguerite
When I persisted in my purpose of attending myself upon my young
mistress, my poor master was incensed to the point of reproaching me.

Ramel (to Vernon)
Where did Madame de Grandchamp send you?

Vernon
Everything is ominous in this mysterious affair. Madame de Grandchamp
was so anxious to get me out of the way that she sent me three leagues
to visit a sick man, who, I found when I reached his home, was
drinking in the inn. I blamed Champagne for deceiving Madame de
Grandchamp, and Champagne positively told me that the workman had not
appeared at the factory, but that he himself knows nothing about his
alleged sickness.

Felix
Gentlemen, the clergy are here.

Ramel
We can continue our proceedings in the drawing-room.

Vernon
This way, gentlemen, this way.

(Scene curtain.)

SCENE SIXTH

(The drawing-room.)

Ramel, the Magistrate, the Sheriff's Officer and Vernon.

Ramel
Here, then, is the result so far of our inquiry, in accordance with
the evidence of Felix and Marguerite. Madame de Grandchamp, in the
first place, administered to her stepdaughter a dose of opium, and
you, M. Vernon, who were present and saw the criminal attempt, managed
to secure and lock up the cup.

Vernon
It is true, gentlemen, but--

Ramel
How is it, M. Vernon, that when you witnessed this criminal attempt,
you did not check Madame de Grandchamp in the fatal course which she
was then pursuing?

Vernon
Believe me, gentlemen, I did everything which I thought could be done
with prudence, and all that my long experience suggested was attempted
by me.

The Magistrate
Your conduct, sir, was peculiar, and you will be called upon to
explain it. You did your duty yesterday in preserving the cup as
evidence; but why did you not go further?

Ramel
Pardon me, M. Cordier, this gentleman is advanced in years; he is an
honest and trustworthy man. (He takes Vernon aside) You have found
out, I suppose, the cause of this crime.

Vernon
It springs from a rivalry between two women, who have been urged on to
the most violent extremes by their reckless passions. And I was
obliged to keep silence on the subject.

Ramel
I know the whole business.

Vernon
You! sir?

Ramel
Yes, and, like you, I have done everything to prevent this
catastrophe; for Ferdinand was to leave this very night. I knew Mlle.
Gertrude de Meilhac in former years, having met her at the house of my
friend.

Vernon
Oh! sir, show clemency! Have pity on an old soldier, crippled with
wounds, and enslaved by delusions. He is in danger of losing both his
daughter and his wife. Heaven grant he may not lose his honor also!

Ramel
We understand each other. So long as Gertrude does not make such
admissions as force us to see the real situation, I shall endeavor to
persuade the investigating magistrate--who is an extremely sagacious
and honest man of ten years' experience--I shall try to make him
believe that cupidity alone has influenced Madame de Grandchamp. You
must assist me. (The magistrate approaches; Ramel nods to Vernon and
puts on an expression of severity.) Why did Madame de Grandchamp wish
to drug her stepdaughter? You, who are the friend of the household,
ought to know this.

Vernon
Pauline was about to confide her secrets to me. Her stepmother thought
that I was learning certain things which her interest required should
be concealed; and that, sir, is doubtless the reason why she sent me
to treat a workman who was in good health, and not to prevent help
from being brought to Pauline, for Louviers is not so far off.

The Magistrate
What forethought she has! She won't be able to escape if we find the
proofs of crime in her desk. She does not expect us here; she will be
thunderstruck.

SCENE SEVENTH

The same persons, Gertrude and Marguerite.

Gertrude
I hear the strains of church music! What, is there another trial going
on here? What can be happening? (She goes to the door of Pauline's
chamber and starts back terrified, on the appearance of Marguerite.)
Ah!

Marguerite
They are offering prayers over the body of your victim!

Gertrude
Pauline! Pauline! Dead!

The Magistrate
And it is you, madame, who have poisoned her.

Gertrude
I! I! I! Ah! what is this? Am I asleep or awake? (To Ramel) Ah! How
extremely fortunate for me in this meeting! For you know the whole
affair, don't you? Do you believe me capable of a crime like this?
What! Am I actually accused of it? Do you think that I would have made
an attack upon her life? I, the mother of a child, before whom I would
not wish to be disgraced? Justice will vindicate me--Marguerite, let
no one leave the room. Gentlemen, tell me what has taken place since
yesterday evening, when I left Pauline slightly indisposed?

The Magistrate
Madame, collect yourself! You stand before the tribunal of your
country.

Gertrude
You chill me with such words--

The Magistrate
The administration of justice in France is the most perfect of
criminal procedures. No traps are set, for justice proceeds, acts, and
speaks with open face, for she is solely intent upon her mission,
which is, the discovery of the truth. At the present moment, you are
merely inculpated, and in me you must see your protector. But tell the
truth, whatever it may be; the final result will be decided at a
higher tribunal.

Gertrude
Ah! sir, take me into her chamber, and in presence of Pauline I will
cry out, what I cry out before you--I am guiltless of her death!

The Magistrate
Madame!

Gertrude
Sir, let us have none of those long phrases, with which you blind the
eyes of people. I suffer pains unheard of! I weep for Pauline as
though she were my child, and--I forgive her everything! What do you
want with me? Proceed, and I will answer you.

Ramel
What is it that you will forgive her?

Gertrude
I mean--

Ramel (in a low voice)
Be cautious in your replies.

Gertrude
You are right, for precipices yawn on every side!

The Magistrate (to the sheriff's officer)
Names and titles may be taken later; now write down the notes of the
investigation, and the inquiry. (To Gertrude) Did you yesterday
forenoon put opium into the tea of Mlle. de Grandchamp?

Gertrude
Ah! doctor--this is you.

Ramel
Do not accuse the doctor. He has already too seriously compromised
himself for you! Answer the magistrate!

Gertrude
It is true.

The Magistrate
Madame recognizes the cup and admits that she put opium in it. That
will be enough for the present, at this stage of the inquiry.

Gertrude
Do you accuse me then of something further? What is it?

The Magistrate
Madame, if you cannot free yourself from blame with regard to a later
event, you may be charged with the crime of poisoning. We must now
proceed to seek proofs either of your innocence or of your guilt.

Gertrude
Where will you seek them?

The Magistrate
From you! Yesterday you gave Mlle. de Grandchamp an infusion of orange
leaves, in another cup which contained arsenic.

Gertrude
Can it be possible!

The Magistrate
The day before yesterday you declared that the key of your desk, in
which the arsenic was locked, never left your possession.

Gertrude
It is in my dress pocket.

The Magistrate
Have you ever made any use of that arsenic?

Gertrude
No; you will find the parcel still sealed.

Ramel
Ah! madame, I sincerely hope so.

The Magistrate
I very much doubt it; this is one of those audacious criminals--

Gertrude
The chamber is in disorder, permit me--

The Magistrate
No, no! All three of us will enter it.

Ramel
Your innocence is now at stake.

Gertrude
Gentlemen, let us go in together.

SCENE EIGHTH

Vernon (alone)
My poor General! He kneels by the bed of his daughter; he weeps, he
prays! Alas! God alone can give her back to him.

SCENE NINTH

Vernon, Gertrude, Ramel, the Magistrate and the Sheriff's Officer.

Gertrude
I scarce can believe my senses; I am dreaming--I am--

Ramel
You are ruined, madame.

Gertrude
Yes, sir--But by whom?

The Magistrate (to the sheriff's officer)
Write down that Madame de Grandchamp having herself unlocked for us
the desk in her bedchamber and having herself given into our hands the
parcel sealed by M. Baudrillon, this parcel which two days ago was
intact is found unsealed and from it has been taken a dose, more than
sufficient to produce death.

Gertrude
Death!--And I?

The Magistrate
Madame, it was not without reason that I took from your desk this torn
piece of paper. We have also picked up in Mlle. de Grandchamp's
chamber a piece of paper, which exactly fits to it; and this proves
that when you reached your desk, in that confusion which crime always
brings upon criminals, you took up this paper to wrap up the dose,
which you intended to mix with the infusion.

Gertrude
You said that you were my protector! And there, see now--

The Magistrate
Give me your attention, madame. In face of such suspicions, I feel I
shall have to change the writ of summons into a writ of bail or
imprisonment. (He signs the document.) And now, madame, you must
consider yourself under arrest.

Gertrude
Of course, I will do all that you wish! But you told me that your
mission was to search for the truth--Ah! Let us search for it
here--Let us search for it here!

The Magistrate
Certainly, madame.

Gertrude (to Ramel; she is weeping)
O M. Ramel!

Ramel
Have you anything to say in your defence which would lead us to cancel
this terrible sentence?

Gertrude
Gentlemen, I am innocent of the crime of poisoning, and yet all is
against me! I implore you, give my your help instead of torturing me!
And listen to me--Some one must have taken my key,--can you not
understand? Some one must have come into my room--Ah! I see it all
now-- (To Ramel) Pauline loved as I loved; she has poisoned herself!

Ramel
For the sake of your honor, do not say that, without the most
convincing proofs, otherwise--

The Magistrate
Madame, is it true that, yesterday, you, knowing Doctor Vernon was to
dine with you, sent him--

Gertrude
Oh! you,--your questions are so many daggers at my heart! And yet you
go on, you still go on.

The Magistrate
Did you send him away to attend a workman at Pre-l'Eveque?

Gertrude
I did, sir.

The Magistrate
This workman, madame, was found in a tavern, and in excellent help.

Gertrude
Champagne had told me that he was sick.

The Magistrate
We have questioned Champagne, and he denies this, averring that he
said nothing about sickness. The fact of it was, you wished to
preclude the possibility of medical aid.

Gertrude (aside)
It was Pauline! It was she who made me send away Vernon! O Pauline!
You have dragged me down with yourself into the tomb, to which I sink
bearing the name of criminal! No! No! No! (To Ramel) Sir, I have but
one avenue of escape. (To Vernon) Is Pauline still alive?

Vernon (pointing to the General)
Here is my answer.

SCENE TENTH

The same persons and the General.

The General (to Vernon)
She is dying, my friend! If I lose her, I shall never survive it.

Vernon
My friend!

The General
It seems to me that there are a great many people here--What must be
done? Oh, try to save her! I wonder where Gertrude is.

(They give the General a seat.)

Gertrude (sinking at the feet of the General)
My friend! Poor father! I would this instant I might be killed without
a trial. (She rises.) No, Pauline has wrapped me in her shroud, I feel
her icy hands about my neck. And yet I was resigned. Yes, I would have
buried with me the secret of this terrible drama, which every woman
should understand! But I am weary of this struggle with a corpse that
holds me tight, and communicates to me the coldness and the stiffness
of death! I have made up my mind that my innocence of this crime shall
come forth victorious at the expense of somebody's honor; for never,
never could I become a vile and cowardly poisoner. Yes, I shall tell
the whole, dark tale.

The General (rising from his seat and coming forward)
Ah! so you are going to say in the face of justice all that for two
days you have concealed by such obstinate silence--vile and ungrateful
creature, fawning liar!--you have killed my daughter. Are you going to
kill me also?

Gertrude
Ought I to keep silence?--Ought I to speak?

Ramel
General, be kind enough to retire. The law commands.

The General
The law? You represent the justice of men, I represent the justice of
God, and am higher than you all! I am at once accuser, tribunal,
sentence and executioner--Come, madame, tell us what you have to say?

Gertrude (at the General's feet)
Forgive me, sir--Yes--I am--

Ramel
Oh, poor wretch!

Gertrude (aside)
I cannot say it! Oh! for his honor's sake, may he never know the
truth. (Aloud) I am guilty before all the world, but to you I say, and
will repeat it to my last breath, I am innocent! And some future day
the truth shall speak from out two tombs, the cruel truth, which will
show to you that you also are not free from reproach, but from the
very blindness of your hate are culpable in all.

The General
I? I? Am I losing my senses? Do you dare to accuse me? (Perceiving
Pauline.) Ah! Ah! My God!

SCENE ELEVENTH

The same persons, and Pauline (supported by Ferdinand).

Pauline
They have told me all! This woman is innocent of the crime whereof she
is accused. Religion has at last taught me that pardon cannot be
obtained on high except by those who leave it behind them here below.
I took from Madame the key of her desk, I myself sought the poison. I
myself tore off the paper to wrap it up, for I wished to die.

Gertrude
O Pauline! Take my life, take all I love--Oh, doctor, save her!

The Magistrate
Is this the truth, mademoiselle?

Pauline
The truth, yes, for the dying alone speak it--

The Magistrate
We know then actually nothing about this business.

Pauline (to Gertrude)
Do you know why I came to draw you from the abyss which had engulfed
you? It is because Ferdinand spoke to me a word which brought me back
from the tomb. He has so great a horror of being left with you in life
that he follows me, and will follow me to the grave, where we shall
rest together, wedded in death.

Gertrude
Ferdinand! Ah, my God! At what a price have I been saved!

The General
But unhappy child, wherefore must you die? Am I not, have I ceased for
one moment to be a good father? And yet they say that I am culpable.

Ferdinand
Yes, General, I alone can give the answer to the riddle, and can
explain to you your guilt.

The General
You, Ferdinand, you to whom I offered my daughter, you who loved her--

Ferdinand
My name is Ferdinand Comte de Marcandal, son of General Marcandal. Do
you understand?

The General
Ah! son of a traitor! What could you bring to my home but death and
treachery! Defend yourself!

Ferdinand
Would you fight, General, with the dead?

(Ferdinand falls.)

Gertrude (rushes to Ferdinand with a cry)
Oh! (She recoils before the General, and approaches his daughter, then
draws forth a phial, but immediately flings it away.) I will condemn
myself to live for this old man! (The General kneels beside his dying
daughter.) Doctor, what will become of him? Is he likely to lose his
reason?

The General (stammering like a man who has lost his speech)
I--I--I--

Vernon
General, what is it?

The General
I--I am trying--to pray--for my daughter!

Final curtain.

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