Vallcntme, B. B- T,ri Pa#*adlisc . A aet. JS993 |arce in <>n<2 Class. PS 3JJA Book_•\ /^-7 IN PA R A D I S E A FARCE IN ONE ACT BY B. B. VALLENTINE I) AUTHOR OF “A Southern Romance.” “ Fitznoodee.” ” The Lock¬ smith of Paris. ” “Fadette.” “TheAngee,” “The Chameeeon,” “Madame Saccard.” Etc. Copyright by B. B. Vallentine, 1899. IN PARADISE Fi.rst performed at Keith's Theatre, Union Square, New York, January 22, igoo. Monsieur Pontbicliot.Mr. Wilson Deal Monsieur Gresillon.Mr. C. W. Vance Raphael Delacroix.Mr. Edwin Brewster {iAn Artist.') Chico.Mr. Richard Meredith {tA Lion Tamer.) Rosalie.Miss Sadie Handy Madame Pontbichot .Miss May Niblo Drew Claire Taupin.Miss Minnie Seligman 56679 TWO COPIES RECEIVEO. L lura/-y jf Office of tbii n (Jlycr\} - \ '5' ' FEB 1 91900 ntgiittr of Copyrights, IN PARADISE. Scene.—Kondoir of Claire Taupin. Elegantly furnished, portieres. &;e. Part of folding bed seen through alcove. Behind the bed, a ladder not in view of the audience K. between bed and the door a fireplace, mantel and mirror. Table in the middle. Couch L. Three doors L., one of which is in the alcove. Door R. first entrance. Chairs behiml the table and at K. At rise:—Rosalie discovered turning over account books on table. ROSATdE. Well. I must say my mistress for an artist’s model, and even for an ex-actress who has been so long on the stage, is very extravagant. (Sighing.) 1 can't get these accounts straight, and yet she wants me to have them in order, to show her guardian. ^Monsieur (tresillon. just how she spends the allowance that her uncle It ft her. Now, 1 Avonder she doesn’t tell old Gresillon, who is the executor of the will, that she is engaged to ^lousieur Chico. I sup¬ pose it is because Monsieur Gresillon might not iike ]Mon- sieur Chico’s profession, and INIademoiselle does not wish to anger old Gresillon or he might stop paying her alloAvance in advance. (Examining accounts.) And she does want money badly. I really don’t know Avhat to say to the landlord and the tradespeople who keep calling to collect bills. (Ring.)—I wonder Avho that can be; ^Mademoistdle cannot be back already. (Ring heard again.)—Whoever it is, is in a great hurry. (Exit L. U. E.) (Re-enter ROSALIE with RAPHAEL.) RAl'HAEL. Where is your mistress’.'' ROSALIE. She is (mt, but will be back soon. (Aside.) This must be the artist. Monsieur Raphael Delacroix, who lives on the fioor aboA^e. RAI»IIAEL. 'Hoav very provoking that I can’t see her at once. She is an artist’s model—is she not? 4 IN PARADISE. ROSALIE. Oil, yt'.s. An ex-actress*, a sin. 2 :er and several other thinjis beside. RAPHAEL. ((living* money.) Now, yon are a pretty girl ROSALIE. Thank yon, Monsieur. RAPHAEL. So I'll take yon into my confidence and you’ve got to help me and be quick about it, as I haven’t much time. This is the situation—I want your mistress tO' liretend to have been engaged to be married to me. ROSALIE. To von'/ ItAlTIAEL. Don't interrupt. An old gentleman from the country will come here by and by. I'm going to marry his daughter, but he won’t give his consent until he breaks oft' personally with my former fiancee. Now. your mistress must be that former fiancee although I never had a former fiancee. ROSALIE. I never heard of such a thing, RAPHAEL. Of course you didn’t. This old gentleman, Monsieur Pontbichot, unknoAvn to his wife, Madame Pont- bichot, wants to see what he believes to lie Parisian life, and I will iiret^nd to show it him. Now I must go, and I’ll return with The old gentleman immediately. (Giving more money.) Perhaps you'd better say nothing to your mistress. So when I come, just act as if you’d never seen me before. ROSALIE. Very well. I'll keep my mouth shut. RAPHAEL. Precisely. Now I'll be off. (Exit RAPH¬ AEL,) ROSAIdPl (I>ooking after him.) AVhat a joke! I don’t see why Mademoiselle shouldn't do it. It will only be like acting a part and I should think he'd itay well for it, and we want money. (She returns to the account books.) Ring.—That must surely be Mademoiselle. (PIxit RO¬ SA LIl*:.) (Re-enter ROSALIE, followed bv OLAIltE. with parcels etc.) ( I.AIRPj. 1 in tirt'd out. Those dry goods people are perfect brutes. So long as you have nionev von can have everything in the store, but wlnn you haven't the smallest trifle comes €. O. I), ('ash or death. Anvbodv called, Ro¬ salie'? 4 - ROSALIPl Yes, :Madenioiselle; the landlord and Mon¬ sieur Chico. CLAIRE. Tell the landlord I'm out—tell him anything you like—and show Monsieur (ftiico in. ROSAIJP:. (P’orgetting herscdf.) And there was—I mean I’ve been at work on the accounts, and they're not yet ready to show to Monsieur Gresillon. CI.AIRPl (Sitting at table with Rosalie.) Let me see. IX PARADISE. I' .5 UOSALIE. ril just tiiiisli this aiUlitioii. CLAIKE. (Looking? at book.) Dear me. the expenses; were heavy last month. ROSALIE. Mademoiselle would "o to Monte 'Carlo. CLAIKE. es, I had bad luc'k. Never mind. I suppose thinjis will eome out all rijiiit. Have the i)ainters tinished in the drawing room? ROSALIE. Not yet. CLAIRE. hat a nuisanee. So I’m obliged to receive ill my bedroom. (T.iOoks at accounts again as Chico enters.) CHICO. Always adding and tiguring—if woman is a ser¬ pent. you ought to be called an adder. CLAIRE. Ah. Chico! So glad to see vou—why. what’s the matter? CHICO. Nothing. CLAIRE. There is something. ('I'o ROSA LIE.) Rosalie. ROSALIE. (Rising, and as she goes.) The lion tamer is in a bad temiier to-day. When they’re married he’ll soon tind out who's the tamer. (Exit ROSALIE.) CLAIRE. Now, tell me what it is. (Ooing to liox and showing a jacket and pajamas.) See. hert^—1 remembered it was your birthday. AVhat do you think of this. Chico? CHICO. Thanks. (Pause.) AVell. it’s your maid Rosalii' who told me 1 mustn’t <‘all whenever .vour guardian is likely to be here. CLAIRE. She did (piite right. You know my guai'dian is executor of my uncle’s will, and 1 must keep in his good graces. He must not see you here. Ib' does not know we are engaged to be married, as he would object to you on ac¬ count of your profession. CHICO. 1 object to him from evei-y point of view. He is rich and can give you everything in the way of luxury. CLAIRE. That’s where you make a mistake. 1I(‘ ening door at back.) This way, monsieur. .RAPHAEL. Well, you didn’t say a Avord? IN paradisp:. liOSALIE. Not n word. Mademoiselle wil be here im¬ mediately. But where's the old gentleman V • IvABlIAEL.—Oh. he’ll be along; but tell yonr mistress to make haste. ROSALIE. All right, monsitnir. (Exit Rosalie R.) RAPHAEL. (Alone.) Well, 1 mnst say my future fath¬ er-in-law is a most (mergetie individual—a hustler, in fact. After his daughter, Mll(‘. Jeanne Pontbichot, whom I love, had promised to be my wife, he declined to giv(‘ his consent unless he was allowed to l)reak olf personally with my for¬ mer attachment. Now. as I havim’t any former attach¬ ment, I’ve ('ome liere to make iiim believe that I have. When the coachman oi)ened the door of the cab, and, push¬ ing me in. my future father-in-law, M. Pontbichot, said. “Where doe.s she live?” 1 was .just about to slip out at the oj)posite door when an idea struck me. 1 remembered my neighbor in the Bat Ixdow me was a lively artist’s model, as well as an (>x-aetr(‘ss, so 1 had no lu'sitation in giving my own addiress. •‘What’.-' At yonr own honsi'':''’ he sai(I. “How very convenient!” Now, it only remained for me to get rid of my fntnn' father-in-law for a whihc 1 couldn’t l)res(mt myself and M. I’ontbichot to a lady I’d only met on the staircase to ask her to br(‘ak off friendship with me,, a man she didn’t know. 1 then Ixdhonght myself of a lit¬ tle present. Hang it all. one can’t break off witbont a part¬ ing gift. “Have yon any money about yonV” “Not a son,” said 1. “.Neitlier have 1.” “Oh. tlnm,” said 1, “wedl break it off to-morrow.” “No! no! To-day! Ooachman, drive to the (’rc'dit Lyonnais Hank.” "Vovy well,” I said; “yon go there, and I will go and prepare her for onr coming.” Then I jumped out of the carriage and told tlu‘ coacdiman to drive slowly. 1 wish she’d come. Pll ring. (EnttM* Rosalie.) ROSALIE. What do yon wish, monsieur? RAPHAEL. How long will yonr mistress bt'? ROSALIE. She’ll be here in a miniitt*. RAPHAEL. I wish she’d coni(‘. ROSALIE. (Aside.) He’s in a linrry.) Exit Rosalio. (Enter Claire.) RAPHAEL. (Seeing her and going toward R.) Ah. at last! Now I wonder if sh(‘'ll hav(‘ me ki(.‘ked out. CLAIRE. Von wish to speak with me. monsier.f? RAPILAEL. Vt's, madaine. Although we do not know ea(‘h othei-. I ask yon to do nu' a servic(‘—an immens(‘ s(‘r- vic(‘. CLAIRE. (Amiable.) Indeed, as a neighbor, if it is in my j)ower. (She sits L. of tabU'.) RAPHAEL. (Sitting at R.) Madanu', in heaven's name, let me be yonr lover. CLAIRE. What? s IN PARAiDlSE. UAPIIAEI.. Oil, for a quai-t(M' of an hour: :Make it twenty minutes to l)e (piite sinu'. OLAIlvE. I wonder where j'on think you are. KAl’IlAEI.. (Rises.) Kiit yon do not umhM’stand. (■LAIKE. Then what dr.) “To leave Raphael—so good— so gentle—so loyal! It is so hard to part from him.” Then you must swear never to see nu* again, and then the old gen¬ tleman will soothe your feelings by offering you a little present, which he is now dr.-iwing fi-oin the bank. CT.AIRE. Oh. Monsimir. 1 tliink I umh'rstand now. You ' have had the elfrontt'ry to claim an acouaintama' with nu' without consulting nuc RAPHAEL. I didn’t have time. <'LA IRE. At the risk of comiirtimising me. RAPHAEL. Hut nobody Avill know. OLAIRE. 1 think I underst:ind. Monsiimr said to him¬ self:—“riair(' Tauiiin is .an artist’s mod('l. has been an actress and may 1 h‘ tiaaited with contemiit. and by giving her a little present-.” Oh! 1 h.avt'no iiaticma'! ((Jiving Raphael his h.at. whicli lu' had put on tin' tabha) lleiaa is your hat, .Monsit'ur. You’d btUtia* go. RAPHAEL. What! Then you ivfusc’.' (TvAIRE. (k'rtainly. 1 refuse'. (She is about to go.) RAPHAEL. ((Joing to her ,aft(*r having put his hat on the tjible.) Hut. Mademoise'ile. you do not umierstand. After all, what is it 1 ask’/ Meia'ly to h't nu' ]eass a f(‘w minutes here posing as your lover in order to hoodwink an old gentlem.an who will not give nu' his daughte'r unless I li.ave' an entangle¬ ment which he wants to break off himse'lf. (’LAIRE. ((’oming down and passing down to R.) Then why on earth didn’t you take* him to sonu' oiu' whom you know’/ RAPHAEL, ((k)ming down to 1,. before' the' ceem-h.) It was impossible. (Earnestly.) 1 havesno one. CLAIRE. Then why did yon come' to me’/ RAPHAEL. hy’/ (Struck with an iele^a.) He'eaiuse' 1 was proud to say that 1 was the love'r eef the prettiest woman in Paris. CLAIRE. (Se)tteiK'el.I Oh. inde'e'd. diel yoti sjiy that’/ IN PARADISE. 0 IvAPHAEI.. Of course, I did. Then my future father-in- law cried. “Wliy. that’s Claire Tanpin.” ' CLAIRE. O'dattered.) No. RAPHAEL. I assure you. You sec, if I have compro¬ mised you. A’our l»«>aifty is as much to l)lan!<* as 1 . CLAIRE. (Siniliip;.) Is it very im])ortant to your happi¬ ness that 1 render you this service? RAl’HAEI.. It is indeed necessary. CT.AIRE. Then Pll do it. After all. you don't ask me to do anythin.u’ that is dishonofahle. You simply wish me to hoodwink an old .gentleman from La Tour, 'rell me, is he very shrewd? RAI'IIAEL. No: the provincial article. CLAIlvE. Now. let me think for a moment what can we do. 1 have it! The scene from “Camille'* with old Duval! I’ll play it: RAITIAEI.. Do you know it? CLAIRE. Do I know it? AYhy, it was on account of that scene that I had to leave the conservatory—the other i?irls were jealous. (Coiii^- up and preparing- to act.) Old Duval enters and says. “Mademoiselle Mar.ituerite Oautier." (Turii- in.i^ and actintr tin* other part.) “It is I. monsieur. To whom have I the honor of speakiim?" “'I'o ^Monsieur Duval." “To Ah!” Monsieur Duval? Ah!” CLAIRE. Yes. (Acting.) “Ah, monsieur, cease. I he^- of you. You ask me to do something- that is too terrible." RAPHAEL. Superb. CLAIRE. And 3 -et the critics said that I acttnl without feeling. RAPHAEL. Nonsense. If I had been there. 3 'ou would have received a curtain call. Cr^AIRE. And now 3 'ou intist put on this dressing jacket. {Gets jacket) and I'll address 3 ’ou familiarly, so that 3 'ou will feel perfectl.v at home—and now ring. (Raphael rings.) (Enter Rosalie.) CLAIRE. Here. Rosalie ,take these things away. (Gives her Raphael's hat and coat.) RAPHAEL. (Looking at jacket.) That is mor(‘ than I bargained for. Ponthichot can't refuse me his daughter afttu- thi.s. CLAIRE. We're going to play a trick on an old gentleman from the countiy. and pret(md to have been engaged to each other; he'll be here imniediateb'. ROSALIE. Ver.v well. Mademoiselle. (Aside.) Well, he wasn’t long striking up an ac(iuaintance. (Exit Rosalie.) RAPHAEL. Now, what will he say? He’ll he here soon. CLAIRE. The jacket tits you like a glove, doesn't it? CLAIRE. .Inst think how funnv it is that we are going IN PARADISE. to break off with eaeli other when there never was an attach¬ ment, and 1 liave never seen yon before. liArriAEl.,. It is ridicnlons when yon come to think of it. (Kell rings.) There'si a ring—it must be he. ('EAIKE. (Pointing to sofa.) (io and sit tliere. (Kaphael sits.) ROSALIE. (Entering.) Madame, it's the old gentleman from La Tonr. ('LAIRE. Show him in. (She sits close to Raphael.) ROSALIE. Here? OLA IRE. Certain^'. RAPHAEL. (Aside.) Oil. my tiancee, it is all for yon. ROSALIE. (Showing in POXTKICHt )T.) This way, Monsienr. (POXTBICIIET enters, hair frizzed, flower in bnttonhole.) POXTBICIIET. At last I am here, in Paradise. (Exit IIOS.ALIE, taking Pontbichet's hat.) (I’onibichet . sees Olaire and Raphael. He \vaits for a moment, and. see¬ ing they do not speak, he decides br speak.) POXTBICTIOT. (Behind the table.) Mademoiselle Claire Tanpin-. CLAIRE. (Rising.) It is 1. Monsienr. (RAPHAEL rises and goes to I.,.) POXTBICHOT. By Jove, she is pretty! CTvAIRE. To whom have I the honor of speaking? POXTBICHOT. To the future father-in-law of Monsieur Delacroix. CI.AIRE. (TTtering a cry, falls tragically on the (*onch.) Future father-in-law! Ah! POXTBICHOT. (Frightened, throws himself to the right of the conch.) Oreat heavens! She's fainted! RAPHAEL. (Quietly, going to left of conch.) Oh, it is nothing, meiady emotion. POXTBICHOT. Co away, leave me alone with her. RAPHAEL. AY hat for? POXTBICHOT. Yes, I'll call yon. RAPHAEL. Promise me that yon'll treat lier gently. It it so hard for her to give up a man like me. POXTBICHOT. I promise yon. (He goes ])ehind the table and insi)ects the apartment.) RAPHAEL. (Entering room R.) If this is what a young man must do in order to win the liand of a girl, half the world would be bachelors. I*OXTBICHOT. (Examining furniture.) So this is the boudoir of a sonbrette: what luxury! (Snifling.) \Yhat per¬ fume—1 wonder what my wife wotild say. CLAIRE. (Aside, seeing that POXTBICHOT has not ad¬ dressed a word to her.) He seems to have forgotten me. (Aloud.) Hum! Hum! L 9fc IN PARADISE. II IMNTHICHOT. She is ivviviiis'. (With aciininitioii.i She* looks even prettier tlian wlieii 1 tirst eain(‘ in. OLAIKK. (As if revivinjiM \\huM‘e am IV (Aetiiii;’ with’ fear.) Oh, 'tis yon! POXTKIOHOT. MeV (MyAIKK. VonV (Aside.) Now for (’ainillel (I’OXTRICIIOT ('.) CLAIRE. (Tra^jically.) All, AJonsienr. cease. I he« of yon; yon ask me to do soinethiiif*’ that is too dreadful, more terrible than I conld have imagined. Yon shoidd not do so; we were so haiijiy. P(IXTBIOHOT. (.Vside.) Sin* I'Xjiresses herself hiainri- fnlly. (Aloud'.) Bnt the parting would have to come. CLAIRE. Ah, Monsieur, yon do not know how wv lovc^ one another. Von ask me to leave Armand! BOXTBICIB )T. Armand V CLAIRE. (Aside.) I meant Raiihael. 1 suffer, and when one suffers it is dilticnlt to choose names—oh. how I suffer! POXTBICIIOT. (Aside, moved.) She looks splendid when she suffers. (Taking her hand.) Listen. CLAIRE. Ah! Yon can take my hand' and feel m.v i)nls(\ POXTBICHOT. That’s what 1 am doing. It is slow. CT.AIRE. Yon mean that it is very fast. (Drawing Ina- hand away.) I have a fever. POX'TBICHOT. (Aside.) Mow women, when they love., do love. CLAIRE. (Letting herself fall to (he light in desiiair.) Ah, Raphael! Ah. Rajihat.. liAPHAEL. (Looking in at dooi'.) Here 1 am; is it broken off? POXTBICHOT. Xo. no! Xot yet. RAPHAEL. I h(‘ai(l my naimx POX^TBICHOT. It was she in despair. (Pushing him to¬ ward L.) Co away. RAPHAEL. Bnt-. POXTBICHOT. (Pnsliing him.) Co away, (("’losing (he door.) CLAIRE. Ah! Mis(>rable woman, yon bdieved yourself happ.v; happiness is not for me. POXTBICHOT. (Trying to calie >»er.) (’aim yoin-self. CI.AIRL. .\h! Monsienr, do yon know what, misery is.' POXTPK’HOI’. 1 hav(‘ been married thirty years. CLAIRE. What will be my life 'henceforthV POXTBK'HOT. (’oine, now. one so charming as yon. CIvAlRE. (Rising and ])assing to L.) Do not torture me. Ra])ha(d, so .good, so gentle, so loyal! POXTBICHOT. (Asld(‘, readiing R.) lids is dreadftil: I can't stand it. 12 IN 1\\HADISE CLAIRE. I shall di^. PONTBICHOT. (Goiii^i lo her..) Oh! CLAIRE. 1 feel it here. (She strikes her breast.) I^OXTHICHOT. (Lnnerved.) Don’t say thin^js like that. CLAIRE. Blit 1 do. PONTBICHOT. (Affected.) N(>. bnt- CLAIRE. (Again isti-iking hers(‘]f.) And then I feel it there. (She coughs.) P()NTBICHOT. (Aside.) Ih'rhaps if I offered her the little present it might (‘aim her. die takt's ont his pocket- book.) CLAIRE. (Who has s(‘en him.) Man. what are yon doingV PONTBICHOT. (Taking ont banknotes.) Bnt—— CLAIRE. (Indignant, i)assing to IL) Honey I Yon rend my heart and atteni])t to heal it with money. Vott will kill me. PONTBUTIOT. (Not knowing what to do with the money.) I beg yottr ytardon. 1 will not kill yon. (Going to pnt money in his pocket.) CLAIRE. (Pointing to table.) No. pnt it therel (M’ith nobility.) Ah! Honsienr, that which yon do is indeed in- fainons. P(.)NTBI(TI( )T. (About to pick up tin' notes.) Bnt, then- CLAIRE. (Qtiickly.) Don't touch them. (Taking tongs from fireplace.) Those baidviiott's shall not soil my fingers. (She picks tip the notes ivith tla* tongs and holds them ont.) What shamed Gn^at Ib'avents! My mother! The rent! The remt! (She rings.) P( t.NI’BKdIOT. (More and more' affe'cted. draws ont his handke'rchief.) - She' is thinking of he'r mothe'r. (Enter ROSALIE.) ROSALIE. (Aside.) We'll, this is interesting. CLAIRE. (To ROSALIE, handing her the' banknotes at the end of the tongs.) Take these*. Rosjilie. and give them to the i)()or. (Aside*.) I'm the' poor. ROSALIE. (Astonishe'd, taking the* tongs with the notes.) Ha! Ha! Id )NI'BI(’HOT. She* give's the'in to the itoor. It is Sjtiblime'. (Exit ROSALIE, lattgiiing. with tongs.) CLAIRE. (Aside.) And ilow for the final re'signation and it is done. (Aloud.) Ah! As tlu'y have told yon that I have a heart and that I am good, it is Raphael who has re¬ formed me. PONTBICHOT. (Affected.) Raphae*!. Rapluu'l. CLAIRE. Raphael, yes. Yon ask me to separate from him for his fiitnre, for his hai>])iness. Command me. Pm ready. PONTBICllol'. iSobbiiig.i Ah! Gre'at Heaven! IN PARAjDISE. IS CLAIRE. 1 didn’t mean to aftVet luin like this. PONTHK'IR )T. Oh. Heaven! ih'aveii! CLAIRE. (Triumphant, to andieneo.i Tears, and the critics said I acted Avitliont feelini;-. POXTHICHO'r. (Callins'.l Rapliael! Rapliaell RAPHAEL. (Entering'.) Well, is it broken otfV POXTHICHOT. (Eyes tilled with tears.) Rroken off? No. Raphael, throw yonrself in her arms. Yon can't leave that woman. RAPHAEL. What’s that he says? POXTRICIK )’r. Yon cannot do it. RAPHAEL. (To POXT.) 'How is this, yon come here to break it off. and instead of doinjr so yon- POXTRICHOT. She loves yon as .Inliet loved Romeo. RAPHAEL. I l)e,ii- of yon to j^et me ont of this. CLAIRE. (Low.) He reassured. (Aloud, with fe(dini;.) We must now say onr last adienx. POXTHICHOT. Xo! RAPHAEL. Yes! POXTHICHOT. Xo! Xo! CLAIRE. It imist be, because I wish it. RAPHAEL. Yes. it must be. because she wishes it. Ah! Non do noi know what a will she has when she wishes somethinjt. RAPHAEL. It i^ hard for Ikm- to jiive np a man hk(‘ me, but it must be. CLAIRE. (To RAPHAEL.) Adieu! RAPHAEL. Adieu! Adieu! (To I*OXT.) ('ome alons'. let us ^o. it*>s broken off! (A ants to take him anay.t POXTHICHOT. If you leave her you are a scoundrel. RAPHAEL. Come along. POXTHICHO'r. Hive her at least one last good bye kiss. RAITIAEL. One good bye kiss. yes. they are embracing. (HtESlLLOX appeals.) ORESII.LOX. AYhat is this? Hy old friend Pontbichotl CLAIRE. (Turning round.) !NIy guardian. ^Monsieur POXTHICHOT and RAPHAEL. Oresdloii? Our old friend Oresillon. . CRESILLoX. Raplnud kissing my ward. ( laire Jan- pin. and in your presema*. (POXT. L. (tRESlLLOX. RAPHAEL. (’LAIRE.) CLAIRE. (Aside.) They know eacli other. POXTHICHOT. It Avas tlie biaaiking off kiss. (Hides his face on CRESILLOX S shoulder.) CRESH.LOX. Raphael, your lover! (’LAIRE. (Passing betwt'eii RAPHAEL and CRLSlI.i- LOX ) Xot at all. Xow. this is becoming serious; enough of acting. Why. I never saw the gentleman until an hour 14 IN PARAJDISE. Jiji-o. lie came here to ask hie to iiretend to lie his former tiaiieee, in order to hoodwink that old gentleman. Is it not true V RArilAEL. It is (inite true. (JKESILLON. And do yon expect me to digest that story V roXTKlCIIOT. (To himself.) Then what the devil did he bring- me here forV (’LAI HE. (To (IkESlLLOX.) Then you don't Ixdieve meV (JKh^SILLOX. Hut. I saw Madame. 1 saw- (’LAIliE. 1 don't care what yon saw. 1 tell yon the truth, and yon doubt me. (She goes up.) (lllESILLOX. (Following her.) Ent- (’LAIKPT Don't bother mel (Exit CLAlKPll (fUlOSlLLOX. Yon hear what she says. K.VITIAPM.. My dear (fresillon- (dKESILLOX. Don't dear mel Yon. Haphae], yon whom I regarded as my most intimate friend, coming behind my back and making love to my wai'd, without (•(Uisnlting me! ItAITIAPMi. I tell yon 1 never saw the hnly. (JUP:SILL()X. Then, why do I lind yon here with that smoking jacket on'.'' KAFIIAPIL. Simply to make it appeal' that 1 -was quite at home here, to- deceive Monsieur Fonlbiehot. DUICSILLOX. What do yon take me for'.*' ILVITIAPIL. Monsieur Pontbiehot insisted that I had a former tiancee; and exacted as a condition of consent to my marriage with his (laughter thar he should break off per¬ sonally my former attachment. So I induced this lady, Mademoiselle C’laire 'ranpin, to plav the jiart. POXTHICHOT. ((b)ing to PAPHAEL.) Kiphael, swear to me that yon do not love Claire Tanpin. KAPHA El.. 1 swear it! POXTHICHOT. Then this is where I come in. (1KES1I>TJ)X. (To KAITIAEL.) Xothing now remains but for me to go home. I’OXTHK’HOT. Yes. go home! Go home! (He reaches K.) RAIMI A EL. Hut- (^KPlSILIAlX. (Severely.) (do home! RAPHAPIL. .Yei'y well, that/s what 1 will do. (PLxit kapiiap:l.) OKPISILLOX. A tine hn.sband he would have made for your daughter; he would have dei'cived his wife. AVell now 1 have done with that young man. POX’riHCHOT. Then you go home? IN PARA/DISE. 15 (tUESILLON. Yes. l*in ^?oing\ and you may tell my ward, Mademoiselle Claire Taiipin- rOXTBICHOT. Yes. of course. That's understood. Go home. GliESILLOX. Give her these before I go. (Taking T»ank notes from pocket and coming down.) Take them. Tell her it is a parting gift from me. POXTKICHOT. (Pushing him.) Yery well. Xow you'd better go, GKESILLOX. (Coming down.) I really don't want to go. Don't let me go. POXTBICHGT. Oh, you make me weary! You're not a man. you’re a weathercock! GliESILLOX. (Going, but turing round and seeing CLAIRE.) Claire. I did not expect tliis of you. CI.iAIRE. You still doubt me':* Go away, guardian. G RESILLOX. Claire. (Coming towards her.) POXTRICHOT. (Going to GRESILI.OX). You'd betb‘r go. or I’ll tell your wife. GRESIITOX. My wife! (Exit GRESII.LOX.) CLAIRE. This will teach me not to render services to strangers in the future, and thus have a serious (piarrel with my guardian. POXTRICHOT. (To himself.) Pontbichot. the hour of freedom has arrived. This is glorious! Go it. Pontbichot. What would my wife say if she saw me here in an actress’ boudoir? CI>AIRE. (Aside.) He walks up and down like one of Chico’s lions. An idea! If I could only get this old gentle¬ man to rent this apartment, to keep an eye on his son-in-law in the apartment above, I could re-establish my credit with tradespeople. POXTRICHOT. (Much embarrassed.) Madame- Mademoiselle, what the deuce does a fellow say the hist time he speaks to a soubrette? CI.AIRE. Did you speak. POXTRICHOT. You see before you a man-a man- hang it! I don’t know how to begin. For thirty years 1 have looked forward to such a meeting as this, and now that these anticipations are realized I can’t utter a word. T feel like a fool. CLAIRE. You are bashful. PONTBICHOT. Yes-me- CLAIRE. Then this story of breaking it off was merely an excuse for making my acquaintance? PONTBICHOT. (Sheepish.) I may say yes. CLAIRE. (Rising.) Then. Monsieur, I don't think I IX PARADISE. onu'lit to listeD to yon any longer. i’OXTFJCIIOT. Fnt yon really mnst. CLAIRE. (Aside.) If I conld only get the old fool to rent the apartment. 1*11 try, at any rate. FONTKICHOT. Mademoiselle Claire Tanpin. CLAIRE. (In a sweet voiee.) My friend. I’CXTBICIIOT. (.Toyfnlly.i Her friend! She calls me her friend! CI.AIRE. Come and sit here, near me. ROXTRICHOT. On the conch V CLAIRE. Xow. 1 am going to read yon a lecture, (POXTHICHOT takes her hand.) Xo. no: yon mnst be good. roXTBICIIOT. Ah. do not draw away that naughty lit¬ tle hand, that little hand at the end of which is an arm on which is a neck where sits the head of a goddess. CI.AIRE. Xo. yon mustn't do that. BOXTBKMIOT. Claire Tanpin- CLAIRE. And I don't like von to stare at me like that. BOXTRICIIOT. Clairette. oh! Clairette! CLAIRE. (r)rop])ing her eyes.) Oh! roXTBICHOT. I can't express half what I think about yon. Yon are charming, adoralile, Claire: 1 believe that I love yon. CLAIRE. (Simulating fear.) Yon really must go. ROXTBICHOT. Co, Avhen I am having a glimpse of Para¬ dise? CLAIRE. I'm afraid you’re a great tlirt and have made many comjnests. Yon are a perfect Don .Inan. I’OXTBICHOT. (Enthusiastic.) She says I'm a Don .Inan. Oh, Claire. (He snatches a kiss, his arm around her waist.) CLAIRE. (In a tender tone.) Xow swear—swear that you'll marry me. ROXTBICHOT. But I'm already married. CLAIltE. ^larried! Married! Indeed! I'irst Monsieur Raphael Delacroix comes here and compromises me with my guardian, and then yon appear and lead me to believe you are about to make me an offer of marriage, and then tell me yon have a wife. Yon are a nice pair. (Rontbichot un¬ easy.) But yon are far the worse of the two. As for that future son-in-law of yours, the noise that goes on up in his apartments is simply dretidfnl. I’ve had the ceiling repaired twice since I have been here. He has driven away all my clients. There’s a procession on that staircase all night, and the saturnalia orgies that go on up there are awful. I won’t stay in this apartment another day, not another hour, not another minute, even if I have three months’ rent to pay. I'OXTBICHOT, Yon shall not be a loser, ^Mademoiselle. IN PARADISE. ITT If my fiitnro son-in-law iiuUiljios in orj;ies, and as yon are- soiiii*’ to leave I will rent these apartments, and keep an eye on him. Yon shall not be one franc ont of iKicket. CLAIRE. Yon really will! rm so much obliged to you.. It is such a relief. 1*11 riu.ii: for Rosalie, who is my maid and secretary. (Rini^s.) (Enter ROSALIE.) ROSALIE. What now, 1 wonder? CLAIRE. Rosalie, this .irenthmian has taken these apart¬ ments for three months: see that the lease is at once trans¬ ferred to him (low t(> Rosalie) and make him i)ay all we owe. ROSALIE, (Low.) Never t'(‘ar, madam. CLAIRE. ((jroin.i>-.) Adieu, Monsieui-. I trust you will be happier here than I have betm. (Exit CLAIRE.) I’ONTHICIIOT. Adieu, Mademoiselle. ROSALIE. (At table.) The lauit. Monsieur, will be five hundred—I mean five' thousand francs a month. PONTHICIIOT. Wasn’t that rather a hasty shift? Five' thousand- (Aside.) 'flie devil. (Lookinj? in pocketbook, which is empty.) I ^avi' her all the money I had. Five thousand, let me see. Ah! Oresilloirs breakinji- off ^lift. It came in handy. Five thousand, I think you said. There is the exact amount, (Handing’’ note's to Rosalie.) ROSALIE, AVhat name, .Monsieur? FONTHICHOT. Hibi, Hibi, with an aex-ent on the first B. ROSALIE. (Writing- recei])!.) Received from Monsieur- Bibi, five thousand francs. Ib'n* is the receipt. FONTBICHOT. I don’t want a rece'ipt; you can keep the evidence. ROSALIE. 1 will see that the lease is at once transferred and made out in your name, .Monsif'ur. I have the honor- (Bowing;, exit Rosalie.) PONTBICnod*. Well, she has the honor, and I have the flat. AYell. hen* I am in Paradis('. This is Paris life. I’m in the boudoir of an actress. Ah! tlu're is one of those ward¬ robes I’ve heard (Jresillon speak about. He said he’d hidden in tlK'in so often-(Openinjt door on R.) The batiiroom —very luxurious. I don’t see why I shouldn’t take a bath,. I’ve leased the apartment. Yes. I’ll pl'unge. (Exit into bathroom.) (JRESILLON. (Enti'i'ing cautiously.) Cuckoo. She isn’t here. I dare say she’s gone out with Pontbichot to talk it over. It was wrong of me to (piarrel with her. She has a perfect right to do as she pleases, but as I have been her guardian and a kind of father to her for so many years, I don’t wish her to receive visitors without consulting me. And ])oor old Pontbichot,. lu^’d like to dive into the giddy IN PARADIS I’]. Ih Avliirl of I’arisiaii dissipation, but ho doosn’t know bow. Ob. I’m so tired. (Closes bis eyes.) rONTKlCHOT. (Entering from batln-oom in pajamas.) I tboiigbt 1 beard voices. C4KESILLON. Well, Em damned. PONTBIOHOT. Wbat, you back again? GRES'ILLON. Wbat are you doing here? PONTBIOHOT. Didn’t yon tell me to break it off? GllESILLON. Yes, but not in that costume. KAITIAEL. (Entering quickly.) I forgot my coat, GKESIEEON. Kapbael! RAPHAEL. Gresilloul -> ‘ '>.0 ■V " • 1 . " . V • -... ^ • h. ■^:* tC^ ■ ■ * ■ \ / 7 «, » 1 < > V • e*- V’- "'r'^ • - r. ^ j I f*' V •- • V ■ 4 -- - ' * •;' 1 • •v/>- » t .V- » ■ « I t.. * I k # -c f I k i % % « fe f 'T •• I # 4 •* > » * •, 4 , I . >• r ‘ > . . t 4 t ■ « . I % « «■ 4 * ■4 N • f ■Vi • « \ • 1 . » •' t « t / ♦ • r _» \ . » • . « > 4 . i / * t V • • • * T ■ .v* I • ' / t » ■ 4 -^ * #' . •• « 1 ^ .< > % I 4 « j 4 4 % r* « \ • • » *1 _ # « I ♦ » •« 4 . V C V; . f... /. * « 4 9 4 / ✓ . 1 4 rfV? .V i library of