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The Stepmother, A Drama in Five Acts
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The General
No, because I did not wish to die as a murderer on the scaffold.
Godard
What do you mean?
The General If I had met one of those traitors, I should have finished his business for him. Even to-day, after some fifteen years, my blood boils if I read their names in the newspaper or anyone mentions them in my presence. And indeed, if I should meet one of them, nothing would prevent me from springing at his throat, tearing him to pieces, strangling him —
Godard
You would do right. (Aside) I must humor him.
The General Yes, sir, I would strangle him! And if my son-in-law were to ill-treat my dear child, I would do the same to him.
Godard
Ah!
The General I shouldn't wish him to be altogether under her thumb. A man ought to be king in his own house, as I am here.
Godard (aside)
Poor man! How he deceives himself!
The General
Did you speak?
Godard I said, General, that your threat had no terrors for me! When one has nothing but a wife to love, he loves her well.
The General Quite right, my dear Godard. And now with regard to the marriage settlement?
Godard
Oh, yes!
The General
My daughter's portion consists of —
Godard
Consists of —
The General It comprises her mother's fortune and the inheritance of her uncle Boncoeur. It will be undivided, for I give up my rights to it. This will amount to three hundred and fifty thousand francs and a year's interest, for Pauline is twenty-two.
Godard This will make up three hundred and sixty-seven thousand five hundred francs.
The General
No.
Godard
Why not?
The General
It will be more!
Godard
More?
The General
Four hundred thousand francs. (Godard seems astonished.) I make up the difference! But when I die there will be nothing more coming to her.
Do you understand?
Godard
I do not understand.
The General
I am very much attached to little Napoleon.
Godard
You mean the young Duke of Reichstadt?
The General No, my son whom they would enter in the register only under the name of Leon; but I had inscribed here (he places his hand upon his heart) the name of Napoleon! Do you see I must provide for him and his mother?
Godard (aside)
Especially for his mother; she'll take care of that!
The General
What are you saying? If you don't agree with me, out with it!
Godard (aside) If I did so, we should find ourselves in the law courts. (Aloud) I agree, and will back you in everything, General.
The General
Good for you! And I'll tell you why, my dear Godard.
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