THE AFFAIR OF THE POISONS BY VICTORIEN SARDOU

Translated and Adapted by Frank J. Morlock

Etext by Dagny
  • Act I.
  • Act II. The Fortune Teller
  • Act III. The Grotto of Thetis.
  • Act IV. La Reynie's office
  • Act V. The King's palace at St. Germain
  • Etext by Dagny
    This Etext is for private use only. No republication for profit in 
    print or other media may be made without the express consent of the 
    Copyright Holder. The Copyright Holder is especially concerned about 
    performance rights in any media on stage, cinema, or television, or 
    audio or any other media, including readings for which an entrance fee 
    or the like is charge. Permissions should be addressed to: Frank 
    Morlock, 6006 Greenbelt Rd, #312, Greenbelt, MD 20770, USA or 
    frankmorlock@msn.com. Other works by this author may be found at 
    http://www.cadytech.com/dumas/personnage.asp?key=130


    CHARACTERS:
    L'Abbe Griffard
    Louis XIV
    Colbert
    La Reynie
    Louvois
    Carloni
    Hector de Tralage
    Desgrez
    de Brionne
    de Dommeyrac
    Lulli
    D'Aquin
    Sagot
    De Cessac
    Lesage
    De Vise
    D'Estrees
    L'Abbe Guibourg
    An usher
    A peasant
    Madame de Montespan
    La Voisin
    Mademoiselle D'Ormoize
    Mademoiselle Desoeillets
    Madame d'Humieres
    Madame de Nevers
    Madame de Brissac
    Marguerite, Voisin's daughter
    Margot
    Madame de Feuardent
    Madame Lamperier
    Madame de Jeancourt
    Madame de Vitry





    Act I.


    Scene I. Escape

    A hill on the right bank of the Var, near the village of La Gaude. In
    the background the Var is clearly visible, and around it the countryside of Nice. In the distance, the heights of the Alps. Towards the right, the sea, the Bay of Anges. Nice and its old Chateaux. Olive trees, rocks at right. Everything is brightly lit by the sun.

    (Griffard and Carloni enter. They are dressed wretchedly. Pants
    formerly red are almost black with dirt. Rough shirts, naked feet. On his head, Carloni has a ruined straw hat, deformed. Griffard, a torn handkerchief. Carloni climbs the trunk of a tree and looks through the branches to the left.)

    Griffard
    You see them?

    Carloni
    No. They given up pursuing us.

    Griffard (looking around)
    Where are we?

    Carloni
    Near La Gaude.

    Griffard
    That village down there?

    Carloni (coming down)
    Yes. Since these peasant dogs learned that galley slaves have escaped, they are like madmen, to hunt them, to be the first to catch them.

    Griffard
    Small wonder they have recognized us for galley slaves with these scarecrow's clothes we are wearing to replace our prisoner's clothes.

    Carloni
    They have a flair for it. Here we are sheltered and can breathe a little.

    Griffard
    Yes. Since yesterday evening, we have run like— Fortunately, you know the country.

    Carloni
    Yes, I am from Nice, which you can see from here. See the old Chateaux?

    Griffard (looking)
    Then, that's the Var River?

    Carloni
    Once on the other side, in the territory of the Duke of Savoy, we will have nothing more to fear! You don't know anyone?

    Griffard
    No one! But I have a sister in Holland to whom I will write to get money.

    (Griffard sits, but never ceases to be on the alert, uneasy.)

    Carloni
    And we will burn candles to St. Laurent, my patron, for the ill but lucky wind which dashed our galley on the rocks of Moines and permitted us to escape. Our comrades would have done better to come with us. This is the shortest way and the most certain.

    Griffard
    Yes, but we must cross the Var.

    Carloni
    As soon as night falls—but the water is deep. You see those little black islets? We have to swim from one to the other. You know how to swim?

    Griffard
    Very well!

    Carloni
    Me, no! But you will help me! I was lucky to escape with you.

    (Carloni sits on a big stone before the tree.)

    Carloni
    Were you a long while in the galleys?

    Griffard
    For more than two years.

    Carloni
    Me, three! What did you do for that?

    Griffard
    Nothing. Politics.

    Carloni
    You are a priest?

    Griffard
    No.

    Carloni
    They call you “The Abbe.”

    Griffard
    Abbe, yes, but not priest like the Italian Monseigneur. Abbe of the court, professor of philosophy and belle letters history, later Greek and, moreover, gazetteer.

    Carloni
    And for this, they put you in chains?

    Griffard
    For opinions not in agreement with those of Mr. Louvois.

    (Carloni is still uneasy, he gets up and goes to look to the left
    while still talking.)

    Carloni
    Good! There must be something you're not saying.

    Griffard
    There is nothing else.

    Carloni
    Well, as for me, they got me for having killed a man with a knife in Marseilles for cheating me at dice. And the funny part is that when they arrested me under the name of Carloni, they didn't know they were looking for me under the name of La Fleur for a much worse affair. The death of the Duke of Savoy—you must have heard tell of that—you who read the gazettes.

    Griffard
    Yes. That was four years ago. The Duke died suddenly—poisoned they said.

    Carloni
    That's right! The one who did it was named Chasteuil. (coming back to sit on the stone) Ah, there was a fellow who had some adventures. Imagine, he was a Knight of Malta and Captain of the Guards of Monsieur the Prince de Conde! Then suddenly, without anyone knowing why, he became a pirate. He was captured by the Barbary pirates and sold as a slave in Algiers. When he ransomed himself, he came to Marseilles, where he took religious orders and then he became prior of the Carmelites. He introduced a young girl into his convent. She became pregnant—that embarrassed him—he strangled her and buried her in the church.

    Griffard
    Oh!

    Carloni
    They caught him and were going to hang him. At the foot of the gallows he was delivered by his friend the Captain de Vanens and some soldiers! They both went to the Duke of Savoy who made Chasteuil the captain of his Guards of the White Cross and tutor of his children. It was then I met him and then that Chasteuil, with the help of Vanens, de Cadejan, a Paris banker, de Bachimont and two others—familiar friends of the Duchess, poisoned the Duke during a hunt.

    Griffard
    And you managed that?

    Carloni
    With them, and very well paid! Two thousand ducats, which I will find in Paris where I hid them with a lady of one of my friends.

    (Carloni starts to rise.)

    Griffard (holding him)
    And the others—your accomplices?

    Carloni
    Oh, the others—not a chance. Cadejan, Bachimont, and Vanens— denounced. By whom? No one knows. All in prison. And Chasteuil died at Verceil, unfortunately, for we were planning something even better than that. Damn! How thirsty I am!

    Griffard
    Perhaps you will drink more than you want, crossing the Var.

    Carloni
    In one hour! Too long! I think I heard something over there. (pointing to the right) A noise of running water. I've got to see if there's a spring.

    (Carloni walks past Griffard.)

    Griffard (holding him)
    If you are seen!

    Carloni
    Bah! They're a long way off.

    (Carloni leaves with caution.)

    Griffard
    He's an abominable rogue. And if I did what I would like, I'd burn him alive for politeness. But still! A comrade in misery! Who has shown me a good road and who will drown if he crosses the Var without my help— I can't do that. But, on the other side, when we are safe! Triple rogue, with what joy I'll bury you there.

    (Carloni returns. As he does so, he is shot from the left. He screams
    and falls. His straw hat rolls in the dust.)

    Carloni
    Bandit! He killed me.

    (Griffard runs and pulls him up to a sitting position.)

    Griffard
    An unfortunate man.

    Carloni
    Ah! My holy patron saint! I am dead!

    Griffard (opening Carloni's shirt)
    I don't see any wound.

    Carloni
    Yes! Yes! In the side. It burns. Ah, God! God! I suffer. Oh!

    (Carloni faints.)

    Griffard
    Yes, yes, here. I see it. Come, courage, courage.

    (Griffard tears his shirt to stop the blood.)

    Carloni
    Oh! Poor, poor me! I cannot run or swim again.

    Griffard
    Yes, yes! I will carry you.

    Carloni
    Oh!

    Griffard
    Shut up! I hear them! Shut up!

    (Griffard stifles Carloni's cries with his hands. Three peasants pass
    to the left with old hunting muskets. They don't see the fugitives.)

    First peasant
    I tell you, there are two.

    Second peasant
    One alone, I tell you, with a straw hat.

    Third peasant (finding the straw hat)
    Who does this belong to?

    Second peasant
    For sure, I have touched him.

    Third peasant
    He escaped that way—towards the Var. Take the bloodhound. I'll go this way.

    (The three peasants exit.)

    Griffard (to Carloni)
    They are gone.

    Carloni
    Ah! Me, too, I'm going—I feel death freezing me.

    Griffard
    Oh, no.

    Carloni
    Yes, yes! In a state of mortal sin—without confession. A sinner like me—help me—I am choking, and burning. Can you confess me? Give me absolution. Quickly, hurry!

    Griffard
    But, I cannot do it! I am not a priest, I told you that.

    Carloni
    Oh, wretched thing I am. I will be damned. I am going to hell—I don't want to! I don't want to! Ah! Holy Madonna. Pray for me, poor sinner! I repent. Don't damn me!

    Griffard
    No! No!

    Carloni (breathing hard)
    Ah! Listen, to save my soul, listen.

    Griffard
    Yes!

    Carloni (gasping for breath)
    You will go! Oh, God, give me the strength, I am choking. You will go to Rue Beauregard at Paris, near the Church of Bonne Nouvelle—

    Griffard
    Yes.

    Carloni
    Find the home of La Voisin—she's a well known palm reader—the friend of de Vanens, Chasteuil and several of the others! My mistress! It's with her I hid my ducats in the garden, behind a bench. My treasure. (raging) Ah! Holy Christ, to die without profiting from it. (trying to rise, then falling back) No, no. Forgive me, my sweet Savior, pardon! I repent of it. I repent! Then, you will split it with her and have masses held for my soul. You understand clearly?

    Griffard
    Yes.

    Carloni (in a weakened voice)
    For two years—the time to get me out of hell. And don't cheat! Unless you do that, I'll haunt you. Masses every day! Every day!

    Griffard
    Yes! Yes!

    Carloni
    I can't see any more. Oh, poor, poor Carloni. It's all over for you. And without confession. Damned, you are damned.

    (Carloni dies. The voices of the peasants returning can be heard.)

    Griffard
    It's over! They're almost here. Goodbye, poor devil.

    (Griffard slips out. The peasants come back.)

    Third peasant
    Where can he be, our little pigeon?

    Second peasant
    He must have fallen nearby. (seeing the body) There you are, old boy.

    (They run to the body. One kneels, listens to Carloni's heart, and
    raises his arm which he then lets fall.)

    First peasant
    Dead.

    Second peasant
    Stone dead.

    (They uncover their heads. Then they put down their muskets and get
    ready to carry the body.)

    Third peasant
    And the other one?

    Second peasant
    Ah, there was no other one!

    CURTAIN

    SCENE II.

    At Chatelet, the office of La Reynie. A large window in the rear. Chimney on the right front. Arm chairs. At left a small sofa. Little table at back. To the right of the sofa a chair. Entry door at back and a door to Sagot's office.

    (La Reynie is seated in an armchair to the right of the table. Desgrez
    is standing in front of the table.)

    La Reynie
    You have the reports from the evening guards?

    Desgrez (reports in his hands)
    Yes, monsieur. Two murders. One in the Rue de la Calandre. The guilty party has been arrested. (he places a paper on the table) The other on the Pont Neuf Bridge. An unknown was thrown in the river by two guards of the King and a musketeer who have taken flight. (places another paper on the table) Finally a woman, raped by lackeys who have taken refuge in the Hotel de Soissons, a place of asylum.

    La Reynie
    This is a flagrant abuse, these places of asylum, Desgrez.

    Desgrez
    On the subject of abuse, Monsieur Lieutenant General, the woman Gilberte, to be arrested at the behest of her husband for notorious misconduct, was seen yesterday in the Rue St. Antoine. She took refuge in the Church of St. Gervaise, where she was lost in the crowd, thanks to her mask. (placing another report before La Reynie, who files them in a file drawer) The mask is constantly playing us these tricks.

    La Reynie
    Yes, it's a detestable thing, this tolerance of women going masked in the street and in church. I intend to speak to the King about it. Go on.

    Desgrez (reading another report)
    The vandals persist in extinguishing lights that the Lieutenant General has placed in the streets.

    (Desgrez places the report before La Reynie, who puts it with the
    others.)

    La Reynie
    Naturally. At Versailles, which isn't lighted, the nocturnal outrages are more frequent than at Paris. Is that all, Desgrez?

    Desgrez
    Yes, monsieur.

    (Desgrez withdraws to the window, ceding place to Sagot who takes his
    place at the table.)

    La Reynie
    And you, Sagot?

    Sagot (two papers in hand)
    A letter from the Grand Confessor of Notre Dame, who warns us of a fact worthy of attention. The Confessors of Paris declare that for some time they have been alarmed by the number of women who accuse themselves in confession of having given philters, powders or other drugs to their husbands before sickness or death carried them off.

    La Reynie
    That fact has already been brought to our attention.

    Sagot (after placing the letter on the table)
    And something even more grave—they send us, from the Church of St. Paul, this writing found in the confessional. (puts a tiny letter before La Reynie) It denounces a plan for poisoning His Majesty (La Reynie and Desgrez start) by the friends of Monsieur Fouquet who despair of obtaining his pardon while the King lives.

    La Reynie (reading the letter)
    Without other indications?

    Sagot
    None.

    La Reynie
    Here's work for you, Desgrez.

    Desgrez (placing the letter in another dossier)
    One hears tell, monsieur, of sudden, inexplicable deaths! This is worse than the time of La Brinvilliers.

    Usher (entering and announcing)
    Monsieur the Chevalier de Tralage.

    La Reynie (interrupting him and rising)
    My nephew? Let him enter!

    (The usher goes to the door and makes a sign to Hector, who enters
    while Sagot and Desgrez go out. The usher disappears, closing the door.)

    Hector
    Sir!

    La Reynie (calling)
    Don't go far off, Desgrez. (to Hector) At Chatelet, Hector, at this time of day? You are early. Are you coming from Saint Germain?

    Hector
    No, monsieur! I slept at Paris and thought I'd profit by paying you my respects.

    La Reynie
    You come just on time. I need to speak to you. But first, what was this quarrel, day before yesterday, while playing with the Queen?

    Hector
    Nothing serious. We were playing at quatre with the Marquis de Civry who was cheating. I said to him: “But monsieur, you are cheating.” He replied to me: “It's possible, monsieur, but I don't like to be told so.” Bold as brass. I simply got up, bowed, turned my back, and he continued to play with the other two.

    La Reynie
    Who permit cheating?

    Hector (gaily)
    Oh, monsieur! If one took care about things like that, no one would ever play again. Everybody cheats, even at the King's table—under the pretext of outwitting cheaters. It would all pass quietly if Monsieur de Grammont didn't boast of it.

    La Reynie
    And the consequences of this affair?

    Hector
    None.

    La Reynie
    Forget that then, and let's talk about more serious matters. Take a seat. I have to reprimand you.

    (Hector sits in the chair. La Reynie on the couch.)

    Hector
    Me, monsieur?

    La Reynie
    Yes, I brought you from Auvergne to place you as the secretary of Madame de Maintenon, whom you were lucky enough to please. And just when you were on the way to honors and fortune, you have stupidly appeared as an admirer—of whom? Of the favorite of the day, Mademoiselle de Fontanges. To compete with the King! Have you lost your mind?

    Hector
    Oh, monsieur. Calm down a bit. It is true I was taken with Mademoiselle de Fontanges, who has not discouraged my passion.

    La Reynie
    True, Monsieur Fool.

    Hector
    But I am only on the outer fortifications, I assure you.

    La Reynie
    By God! Mademoiselle de Fontanges is young, vaporish, coquettish. It pleases her to be courted by you. But she is not a woman to sacrifice the King for you. Still, it is already talked about that people take seriously the attentions you pay her.

    Hector
    Permit me, monsieur, to tell you, monsieur, how this gallantry came into being.

    La Reynie
    I know it. You knew, at the home of Madame de Soubise, a young girl, her servant Mademoiselle D'Ormoize, who you courted with success. Mademoiselle D'Ormoize, having left the service of the Princess for that of Mademoiselle de Fontanges, as Lady of Honor, you naturally frequented the salon of her new mistress, whose charms seduced you to the point of desolating the poor D'Ormoize, over whom you triumphed by promising her marriage.

    Hector
    Do you make it a crime for me, monsieur, to have seduced a Lady of Honor? The King has given us enough examples.

    La Reynie
    The King is the King—and doesn't promise marriage. It is the promise which is blamable.

    Hector
    Oh, sir, women find a pretext to justify their defeat.

    La Reynie
    If I am well informed, Mademoiselle D'Ormoize hasn't done that and she passed for a very honest girl before you knew her.

    Hector
    True enough, monsieur, but she is only a provincial, a little bourgeoise with neither relatives, nor fortune, and who has nothing except a fine education, lively intelligence, beauty, wit and tenderness.

    La Reynie
    Oh, but—

    Hector
    Oh, monsieur, you are not going to force me to marry her?

    La Reynie
    No, since she had the weakness to go with you, dispensing with that condition. But what I exact from you is that you terminate your attentions to Mademoiselle de Fontanges. They will surely awaken suspicions of a police more vigilant than mine—that of women who are jealous of her. Let Madame de Maintenon hear of it and you will be in great shape. You will get your dismissal and ruin all our hopes. Understand that of the three women disputing for the heart of the King, Madame de Maintenon is the one who will get him! Madame de Montespan is already passe. The King is tired of her pride, her demands, her rages, her mad prodigality for gambling.

    Hector
    Yesterday, again, at the Queen's table—a loss of seven thousand crowns.

    La Reynie
    The present favorite, Mademoiselle de Fontanges, is very precarious. Her health is deplorable. The King doesn't like sick-abed ladies, witness La Valliere. The favor of your idol will wither with her charms, which are waning already. Madame de Maintenon is very healthy, of a robust beauty that defies ages. She's a wise, careful and easygoing person. Look at the road she took from the day she became a widow and governess of the King's children. And she did it without crossing any court ladies, of whom she recently said to me: “Their ignorance, their coarseness, their laziness, their eating, their tobacco, their liquors—all this is opposed to my taste and my reason, such that I cannot stand them.” She has taught the King a tender, discreet affection, whose charm is great, had she given him nothing more. You are well placed to know it.

    Hector
    That's so, monsieur. His Majesty comes almost every day to talk with her, in the afternoon between three and four, without mystery, and nobody accuses them of a more complete intimacy.

    La Reynie (rising)
    She is the future, I tell you! Mademoiselle de Fontanges will be eclipsed, then the struggle will be between Venus/Montespan and Pallas/Maintenon. And Pallas will carry the day because the King's age demands wisdom.

    Hector
    I think so, monsieur.

    La Reynie
    Then, attach your fortune to hers, my dear child. Be on guard against this bad atmosphere of the court which she detests. Don't imitate those young libertines who parade their vices, nor those who mask it under a false devotion. Be wise and circumspect and your future is assured.

    Hector
    Here's what I'll do, monsieur. From tomorrow, I will break off all commerce with Mademoiselle de Fontanges.

    La Reynie
    About time! As for Mademoiselle D'Ormoize—

    Hector
    You will be content with me, monsieur—marriage apart.

    La Reynie
    Ah! Madame de Maintenon won't look on that with so bad an eye. She will recognize Mademoiselle d'Aubigne in this young girl! We will talk about it again. Are you going back to Saint Germain?

    Hector
    Only this evening, monsieur. I dine with the Duke of Vendome, with the Duchess de Bouillon and Madame de Tingry, who is going to take us to a fortune teller.

    La Reynie
    What childishness.

    Hector
    They are bored. Will I see you tomorrow evening at Versailles where there's to be a concert in the grotto?

    (The usher enters.)

    La Reynie
    Assuredly. Till tomorrow, Hector.

    (Hector bows and leaves.)

    La Reynie (to the usher)
    What is it?

    Usher
    A stranger who solicits the honor to be received by Monsieur the Lieutenant General.

    La Reynie
    His name?

    Usher
    Griffard.

    La Reynie
    Let him speak to Monsieur Sagot.

    Usher
    He insists on speaking to you alone, monsieur, having, he says, to reveal facts of the greatest importance.

    La Reynie
    How does this person appear to you?

    Usher
    Very well, monsieur, with an open face.

    La Reynie (standing before the sofa)
    All right. Let him come in.

    (The usher goes out, signaling to Griffard to enter, then closes the
    door behind Griffard.)

    Griffard (bowing)
    I thank the Lieutenant General for the honor—

    La Reynie
    Let's make it quick. I am in a hurry. You have, you said, some revelations to make to me.

    Griffard
    Some very interesting ones.

    La Reynie
    Pardon! (sitting on the chair) But, first, to whom have I the honor to speak?

    Griffard
    The honor is mine, monsieur. The Abbe Griffard, professor of belle letters and philosophy! My name ought not to be unknown to you.

    La Reynie
    Griffard? Yes, a vague idea!

    Griffard
    I am an Abbe without the priesthood.

    La Reynie
    I see. An Abbe of the Court.

    Griffard
    My father was a rich draper and destined me for the Church. But I had no vocation, none at all. At the death of my father, I split the inheritance with my sister, married to a merchant from Amsterdam, and I led such a joyous life that in five years I had spent it all on gambling and women. It was then I came to the Prince de Conti and became tutor of his sons. He had me take the collar in the hope of a benefice. Unfortunately, His Highness had fallen into such exaggerated piousness that, after having protected Moliere, he wouldn't allow me to applaud his work.

    La Reynie (impatiently)
    Pardon me, but these revelations—

    Griffard
    I am coming to it, monsieur. I'm getting there. On the 26th of June, 1678, I went out and when I returned I found my lodgings invaded by the police. Monsieur Desgrez was in charge. I was taken here and interrogated by a drunken and enraged person who put under my nose a manuscript of mine commenting on some court and town menus. I was not about to deny I had written this work and the next day I was sent to Toulon at the express order of Monsieur Louvois and consigned to the galleys for five years.

    La Reynie (startled)
    The galleys?

    Griffard (tranquilly)
    I left.

    La Reynie
    Pardoned?

    Griffard
    Escaped.

    La Reynie
    You escaped?

    Griffard
    You would, too—from such a hell.

    La Reynie (rising)
    It is my duty to send you back .

    Griffard
    Without listening to me?

    La Reynie (ringing)
    Let's find out more precisely who you are! (to the usher who appears in the doorway) Tell Monsieur Sagot to bring me the dossier of The Abbe Griffard.

    Griffard (to the usher)
    Honore Griffard.

    (The usher goes into Sagot's office.)

    La Reynie
    And how did you escape?

    Griffard
    Sheer luck! The galley broke up on the rocks near des Moines.

    (Sagot returns with the dossier.)

    La Reynie
    Ah, here's the dossier. (reads it) Honore Griffard, gazetteer! For libels, five years in the galleys.

    Griffard
    For libels! May I ask who denounced me to the police as an author of libels?

    La Reynie (returning the dossier to Sagot)
    You hear, Sagot?

    Sagot
    You yourself, monsieur.

    Griffard
    Me?

    Sagot
    By this letter. (handing him a letter) Which you ought to recognize.

    Griffard (looking at it)
    Ah, yes. I wrote it to my sister, but I left it unfinished and never mailed it.

    Sagot (putting the letter back in the dossier)
    Well, the post isn't for everything! The case is very interesting. The Abbe wrote without doubt before his window?

    Griffard
    Yes, on a little table.

    Sagot
    And the Abbe left?

    Griffard
    Yes.

    Sagot
    Without carefully closing the door and the window—so that an air current blew it into the street.

    Griffard
    Into the street!

    Sagot
    Where it was picked up by a passerby who took it to the Commissioner of the Quarter.

    Griffard
    The beast!

    Sagot
    And an immediate investigation resulted in the discovery of this manuscript. And letters dated from Amsterdam which made people think you were in correspondence with the Gazetteers of Holland, hostile to His Majesty.

    Griffard
    Never in my life!

    La Reynie (reading the letter)
    They must have believed it! Give a seat to the Abbe, Sagot, and retire.

    (Sagot brings up a chair and leaves.)

    La Reynie
    Very rigorous, I admit. The galleys for five years.

    Griffard
    Say in perpetuity, monsieur. When one is in one of those, one never leaves.

    La Reynie (closing the dossier)
    Let's let that pass, Monsieur Griffard. We will try to forget it, if you have not come to tell me fairy tales.

    Griffard
    I think I would be stupid to come here with fairy tales—to throw myself in the lion's den.

    La Reynie
    That is why I am ready to listen.

    Griffard
    I don't care to be an informant, but my conscience told me that if I let these murderers work in peace, I was making myself their accomplice.

    La Reynie
    But, what murderers are you speaking of? Get to the point! The point!

    Griffard (discretely pulling his chair towards La Reynie's armchair)
    Sir, you have surely never forgotten the words of La Brinvilliers when put to the question: “If I am killed, I will be made to die for others!” nor her scream on the scaffold: “I am suffering for others— for others!” These words must have rung in your ears every time one spoke of poisoning—rightly or wrongly—at the death of Madame, of the Court of Soissons, of Monsieur de Lionne and most recently, rightly this time, at the time of the sudden end of the Duke of Savoy.

    La Reynie
    Rightly? What makes you think that?

    Griffard
    The confession of my comrade in escape, Carloni, who was implicated in this affair, the Chevalier de Chasteuil, the one who poured the poison died at Verceil. You held three of the accomplices, Monsieur de Bachimont, the Chevalier de Vanens, and the banker Cadejan, whose trial you managed in the background, for fear of too vividly lighting the face of she who ordered everything. The widow!

    La Reynie (excitedly)
    Much lower! You know all this too?

    Griffard
    You see!

    La Reynie (leaning toward Griffard)
    Continue, monsieur, continue.

    Griffard (coming still closer to La Reynie)
    Sir, am I not advising you of the existence of a secret society of malefactors—French, English and German—who from London, to Brussels, to Paris and Turin have their agents, their spies, their bankers, their factories, their depots of injurious instruments, their meeting places where they plan their fruitful operations, be it for their profit, be it on orders? From time to time you capture, by chance, one of their henchmen, but the band escapes you. I am offering you possibly the means to throw over this gang a vast net. It will be all profit for Monsieur Colbert if, in exchange for a galley slave, I give him a certainty of the highest quality.

    La Reynie
    How's that?

    Griffard
    I think I've discovered the headquarters of the conspiracy, one of the most active factories and the most frequented shops.

    La Reynie (quickly)
    Which is?

    Griffard
    Easy, monsieur. Of this haunt, I have the vaguest indications, and I am only relying on the somewhat confused advisories of a dying man. Let's not scare the game. I am in a way to learn more through trickery than you through violence, by ingratiating myself into a world that I am eager to see close up to complete my studies of the morals of my times. In twenty-four hours I will know what I have hold of. I will be able to say to you: “Here's the cellar where they do their killing.” You will then take over. The rest will be your business and that of Monsieur Desgrez.

    La Reynie (standing)
    Whose aid you will need, right?

    Griffard (effacing himself to let La Reynie stand)
    Assuredly.

    La Reynie (ringing)
    He is there! You don't suspect, Monsieur Griffard, the importance of the service you are rendering us. (the usher appears) Call Desgrez. (the usher leaves) Have you learned nothing concerning the King?

    Griffard
    Nothing.

    La Reynie
    Well, I am warned that his life is threatened by the friends of Monsieur Fouquet. Read this.

    (La Reynie gives the letter to Griffard.)

    Griffard (reading)
    The life of the King! Ah, but no! His big dauphin of a son would much regret it.

    (Griffard places the letter on the table. Desgrez enters.)

    La Reynie
    Enter, enter, Desgrez. (pointing to Griffard) An old acquaintance.

    Desgrez (bowing)
    I had the pleasure of arresting the gentleman once—Rue St. Louis-en- L'ile.

    Griffard
    And courteously. I recall it.

    La Reynie
    Monsieur Griffard possesses precious intelligence on the malefactors of whom we were speaking before his arrival.

    Desgrez (graciously)
    Oh, monsieur is one of them?

    Griffard (quickly)
    Not at all! What an idea!

    Desgrez
    Then, monsieur is one of ours?

    Griffard
    But, not at all!

    Desgrez
    Pardon, I thought—

    La Reynie
    Desgrez, you will follow to the letter the instructions that Monsieur l'Abbe will give you.

    Griffard
    I beg Monsieur Desgrez to be with his men on Sunday, before noon, at the Pont St. Denis. What time to you have, Desgrez, by my watch.

    Desgrez (pulling out his watch)
    This here?

    Griffard
    Yes.

    Desgrez
    Ten five, monsieur.

    (Desgrez begins to return the watch to his pocket.)

    La Reynie
    Desgrez, give the watch back to the gentleman.

    Desgrez
    Here.

    Griffard
    You rewind it?

    Desgrez
    Every night.

    Griffard
    Thanks. Then at ten o'clock, right.

    Desgrez
    That's all?

    Griffard
    That's all. If the Lieutenant General will give me my leave?

    La Reynie
    Go, Abbe, go, and be careful.

    (Desgrez whispers in La Reynie's ear as Griffard takes his hat.
    Griffard sees this action.)

    Griffard
    Oh, no, useless, monsieur, useless.

    La Reynie (surprised)
    What is it?

    Griffard
    What Monsieur Desgrez proposes—to have me followed.

    La Reynie
    Plague, Desgrez. Monsieur l'Abbe is strong. He has a fine ear.

    Desgrez (to La Reynie, in a low voice)
    And where does this gentleman come from?

    La Reynie
    The galleys.

    Griffard (in the doorway, ready to leave)
    Escapee.

    Desgrez (bowing to him)
    O, in that case, Monsieur.

    CURTAIN


    Act II. The Fortune Teller

    Paris, Rue Beauregard, at La Voisin's home. The first floor is covered with Flanders tapestries, with birds and flowers. In the rear, a little antechamber three steps from the door on the left. On the right, facing the public, a large and high window. To the left a little door with a big bolt. Aspect of a rich and gay bourgeois. To the right a bench and armchair. One can see gardens and tables bordered by a balustrade giving on the Boulevard St. Denis. To the right, several men and women are seated, talking.

    (Madame Lamperier and Madame de Feuardent are seated to the right,
    talking with D'Estrees. Le Gallois is also present. In the rear Guibourg, with his back turned to the room, talks with two bourgeois seated on the bench to the left. There are four groups in the garden.)

    Madame Lamperier
    Beautiful ceremony, wasn't it?

    Madame de Feuardent
    Naturally. All the court was there.

    Le Gallois
    You are speaking of the marriage?

    Madame de Feuardent
    Of Mademoiselle Colbert and of some nephew of Madame de Montespan, the little Vivonne.

    Madame Lamperier
    What was the bride wearing?

    Madame de Feuardent
    All in black velour, sewn with pearls. After dinner with Monsieur Colbert, they were taken to Paris where they were separated because of their age—the husband is fifteen and the wife thirteen.

    D'Estrees
    She's keeping us waiting a bit, that fortune teller.

    Madame Lamperier
    It's always better to make an appointment in advance.

    Le Gallois
    You've already consulted her?

    Madame Lamperier
    Yes, about a coachman.

    D'Estrees
    She meddles with that, too?

    Madame Lamperier
    With everything! Marriages, births, law suits, judgements, loans. It's nothing for her to furnish you with good servants.

    De Dommeyrac
    Who told her?

    Madame de Feuardent
    Oh, you joke about everything. What are you doing at La Voisin's?

    De Dommeyrac
    I just came to see how far human credulity goes.

    Madame Lamperier
    Consult her. You will be astounded.

    D'Estrees (pointing to Guibourg)
    Excuse me. Who is that big fellow with a bald head and grey hair?

    Madame de Feuardent
    It's The Abbe Guibourg, a familiar of this place, like the other one in the reddish wig, Mr. Lesage, the astrologer.

    De Dommeyrac
    And necromancer.

    Madame de Feuardent
    You laugh—but that doesn't prevent him from being on good terms with the sibyls.

    D'Estrees
    The ancient sibyls.

    Madame de Feuardent
    Yes.

    D'Estrees
    The same?

    Madame de Feuardent and Madame Lamperier
    The same!

    Madame de Feuardent
    You ask them, by letter, whatever you want. Lesage seals the letter and burns it before your eyes.

    Madame Lamperier
    And you will find it in your home the next day.

    Madame de Feuardent
    With the response from the sibyls.

    (Lesage leaves with Guibourg by the garden.)

    D'Estrees (to De Dommeyrac)
    You believe all this?

    De Dommeyrac
    By God, he conjured it away.

    (Two ladies leave the room, second from the left.)

    Le Gallois
    Tell me, don't you find it smells a little burnt here?

    Madame de Feuardent (getting up)
    Oh! She is at her best with the Cure de Bonne Nouvelle, her parish priest, The Abbe of Sainte-Amour, and the Rector of the University.

    (Madame de Feuardent goes towards the door from which clients are
    exiting with the hope of taking their place. D'Estrees, Le Gallois and de Dommeyrac follow.)

    Madame Lamperier
    A holy man.

    (Marguerite comes out of her mother's room.)

    Marguerite
    Ladies and gentlemen. My mother begs you to excuse her. She won't receive anyone else.

    (General protest. All turn toward Marguerite.)

    Le Gallois
    I have been here more than an hour.

    All
    We, too.

    Madame Lamperier
    It isn't right to make us wait.

    Madame de Feuardent
    It's indecent.

    (General approval, etc.)

    Marguerite
    Mamma deplores this more than you, but she is tired and cannot do her duty. If these ladies wish to wait on the terrace, they will be offered refreshments there.

    De Dommeyrac
    Only the ladies?

    (Laughter.)

    Marguerite
    The gentlemen, too.

    All (chattering and pushing each other to leave by the door in the
    back) About time! Oh! Well! Etc.

    Madame de Feuardent (low, to Marguerite, slipping her some money)
    Tomorrow, get me in first.

    Madame Lamperier (same action)
    Me, too.

    (All go out with murmurs of confused conversation. They can be seen on
    the terrace. Two lackeys in livery bring in liquors, wine, fruit and cake.)

    Marguerite (to Margot)
    Draw the curtains. (when all the curtains are drawn) You can come in.

    Voisin (in the doorway)
    Gone?

    Marguerite
    All!

    (Voisin enters. She has on a rob of a sea-green velvet, trimmed with
    gold. On her head, a diadem of gold. In her hand a gold wand like fairies. She divests herself of her dress with the aid of two girls.)

    Marguerite
    They complain, you know.

    Voisin (putting her wand on the table)
    Good, good, let them complain! If they weren't made to wait, they wouldn't come back! Oof! Get me out of this, I am suffocating.

    (Margot and Marguerite detach the cloak and diadem and take them into
    the room.)

    Voisin
    Give me a little Angevin wine, Margot.

    Margot
    Yes, Madame.

    Voisin
    You gave them something to drink?

    Marguerite
    Yes! Especially some liquors. They only like that! Here's the list of those who come and will come again.

    (Voisin sits in the chair at the right of the table and looks at her
    list, while Margot enters with a bottle of wine and glasses which she places on the table.)

    Voisin (reading)
    The Count de Clermont-Lodeve!

    Marguerite
    He will return tomorrow.

    Voisin
    Oh, every day, and he wants more each time, that one. The death of his brother and the love of his sister-in-law. (reading) Toulousain?

    Marguerite
    Who didn't wish to give his name. He wanted to cut the throat of his wife's lover.

    Voisin
    Madame de Poulaillon.

    Marguerite
    She only came to tell me it's done.

    Voisin
    Her husband?

    Marguerite
    Yes! She is radiant! She will come tomorrow to settle the account.

    Voisin
    I indeed hope it. (reading) Madame Ferrez.

    (The bell rings.)

    Voisin
    They're ringing.

    Marguerite
    At the dressmaker's. (going to the door) It's a friend. Look, Mademoiselle Desoeillets.

    Voisin
    Let her come in.

    (Marguerite draws the bolt and opens the door.)

    Desoeillets (in the doorway)
    Alone?

    Voisin
    Alone! (to Margot) Watch the doors carefully. (going to Desoeillets) The Marquise sent you?

    Mademoiselle Desoeillets
    Better than that. She's coming.

    Voisin
    You are sure you weren't followed?

    Mademoiselle Desoeillets
    No! Before she said, I'm not going to Paris so as not to upset the King about the motives for this trip. Now he doesn't give a damn.

    Voisin
    You've reached that point?

    Mademoiselle Desoeillets
    We've reached that point. Yesterday there was a great quarrel between the King and the Marquise over La Fontanges. That's why she's seeking your help as she always does in great crises.

    Voisin
    And with success, I am proud to boast.

    Mademoiselle Desoeillets
    Also, I saw someone coming who must be allowed in. Warn Margot.

    Voisin
    Margot! (Margot returns, to Mademoiselle Desoeillets) How can she be recognized?

    Mademoiselle Desoeillets
    She's wearing red silk, with green brocade.

    Voisin (to Margot)
    You hear? You will receive this person. She alone.

    Margot
    Fine, Madame.

    (Margot goes back.)

    Voisin (to Mademoiselle Desoeillets)
    Who is she?

    Mademoiselle Desoeillets
    It's Mademoiselle D'Ormoize, a lady of honor to La Fontanges.

    Voisin
    Ah, fine.

    Mademoiselle Desoeillets
    She loves the Chevalier de Tralage, the secretary to Madame de Maintenon. Since she entered Mademoiselle de Fontanges' service, the Chevalier has been neglecting her for her mistress Mademoiselle de Fontanges.

    Voisin
    Ah! Ah!

    Mademoiselle Desoeillets
    Mademoiselle D'Ormoize certainly knows what's going on. She has come to consult you. I believe—

    Voisin
    I will make her talk.

    Mademoiselle Desoeillets
    Judge what an advantage we will have over our rival when we can prove she's unfaithful to the King.

    Voisin
    And who will serve us better than this young girl?

    Mademoiselle Desoeillets
    Confess her. We will see, later. I am going to disappear.

    (Mademoiselle Desoeillets goes to the door by which she came and
    leaves.)

    Voisin
    Till later.

    Mademoiselle Desoeillets (outside)
    Yes.

    (La Voisin closes the door and puts the bolt in. Just then, three
    women enter with Solange. Margot goes quickly to bar the way to the others while letting Solange pass.)

    Margot
    Ladies, it is very late! Madame has closed her door.

    Voisin (turning and seeing Solange)
    It's she!

    (While Margot gently gets rid of the others, Voisin goes to Solange.)

    Voisin
    You wish, Madame?

    Solange (timidly)
    I would like to speak to Madame Voisin.

    Voisin
    That's me. But I don't receive at this hour.

    Solange
    Pardon! I will come back, Madame.

    (Solange takes a step back.)

    Voisin (agreeably)
    Oh, well, since you are here.

    Solange
    I thank you, Madame. I heard you highly praised.

    Voisin (making her sit in a chair)
    Sit down, child, and tell me your trouble. Because, you have trouble, right? A great shame.

    Solange (very moved)
    Ah, God, if that were possible!

    Voisin (taking Solange's hand and inspecting it)
    Yes, this hand. Oh, how you tremble. This hand indicates a great, great deception. A pain in your heart, isn't it?

    Solange
    Yes, oh, yes, that's it!

    Voisin
    You wish to know if some hope remains to you?

    Solange
    Yes.

    Voisin
    We are going to see. The other hand, if you please, and look at me— eye to eye. Oh, they've wept, those eyes! Yes! I read it as in a mirror. A lover, right? A handsome man, yes. At Court! Oh, poor thing, what I see. Yes, you have given him bounties, very great bounties.

    (Solange responds by drying her eyes.)

    Solange
    Tell me the truth, Madame! Tell me, I want to know. It's over, isn't it? Completely over? He no longer loves me?

    Voisin
    Wait—not so fast! Oh, my God. This line here—this line is not broken completely.

    Solange (excitedly)
    Oh, he loves me a little still, a little?

    Voisin
    But, yes! Only— Ah! Here, between you—a woman! Oh, funny hair, it is red.

    Solange
    Almost.

    Voisin
    A coquette! Oh! Very dangerous. Oh, what a coquette she is! And yet, in a situation in which she ought not to compromise herself. But who shines forth? A woman, such a great lady.

    Solange
    And so pretty, so celebrated, so praised! Between her and a poor girl like me—he cannot hesitate. Every day I feel he's withdrawing from me more and more, and I, I love him more than ever. I pretend to see nothing. I hide my shame, it's cowardice. I know it, but I am afraid he would use my reproaches to throw me over completely. I prefer to pretend I know nothing to hold him a little longer—for as long as possible—then, afterwards. Ah, God! What will become of me? (crying) I am so—so unhappy.

    Voisin
    Poor child. You mustn't despair like that. Nothing is lost.

    Solange
    Oh! There is a little hope—tell me! He will come back to me/

    Voisin
    First, I must know what I don't see very well.

    Solange
    What?

    Voisin
    Has he obtained everything from her?

    Solange (quickly)
    Oh, that. No!

    Voisin
    You are sure?

    Solange
    Oh, yes! Yes! I've been watching very carefully.

    Voisin
    Who knows?

    Solange
    Oh! When one loves, one cannot be deceived.

    Voisin
    Then we must struggle, my dear child. And for that I have wonderful secrets.

    Solange
    Ah!

    Voisin
    One especially, which can detach him from this woman and bring him back to you, more tender than ever.

    Solange
    Ah, God, if it was possible. What is it, Madame? speak!

    Voisin
    It's a powder!

    Solange
    A powder?

    Voisin
    Yes! For love! A powder which must be mixed with some drink—for your mistress.

    Solange
    Oh! If this is going to make her ill—

    Voisin
    No danger!

    Solange
    Oh, no! No! Oh, I couldn't do that!

    Voisin
    But—

    Solange
    No, I wouldn't dare. For myself, I would risk it, but for her—

    Voisin
    Still—

    Solange
    No. Give me something for myself.

    Voisin
    It only acts on her!

    Solange
    Then, Madame, another way.

    Voisin
    It's only that which can act on her will.

    Solange
    It's that—to act on her will by such a means—is not permitted.

    Voisin
    But, yes!

    Solange
    Oh! No! I am sure o fit. It is by magic, that, you see. It's not Christian.

    Voisin (rising)
    Oh! Well, my dear, if that's how you feel—

    Solange (following her)
    Please understand!

    Voisin
    No! No, let's not speak any more about it.

    Solange
    Oh! Yes, I much prefer to be patient, to wait, and suffer more.

    Voisin
    That's it. Let us wait! And let us suffer!

    Solange
    Pardon me. I am irritating you. What must I do, madame?

    Voisin
    Nothing! For the moment, only when you return!

    Solange
    Oh! Never! Adieu, Madame. (goes to the garden and sees Hector) Oh, someone that I wish to avoid and who has seen me.

    Voisin (drawing the bolt and opening the little door)
    Leave this way.

    Solange
    Thank you, Madame, thank you. Goodbye, Madame, goodbye.

    Voisin
    No. Until we meet again.

    (Voisin closes the door and bolts it after Solange. At the same time
    Hector enters, followed by the Duke de Vendome, the Duchess de Bouillon, the Princess de Tingry, and Monsieur de Cessac.)

    Margot (trying to block their passage)
    Ladies and gentlemen—you cannot go in.

    Hector
    Madame! The Duchess de Bouillon, de Tingry, the Duke de Vendome, Monsieur de Cessac, and your servant wish to consult you.

    Voisin
    Too late, monsieur. At this time I am good for nothing! I pray these ladies will excuse me. (going)

    Hector (stopping her)
    A word, pardon! The lady who just left— (pointing to the door) Wasn't it Mademoiselle D'Ormoize?

    Voisin
    I don't know, monsieur. She didn't give her name.

    (Voisin goes to the ladies and speaks to them.)

    Hector (to de Cessac)
    Cessac, it really was D'Ormoize, wasn't it?

    De Cessac
    It seemed so to me.

    Hector (to himself)
    What's she coming here for?

    De Cessac
    She came to have her fortune told.

    Hector
    And you, I bet—to ask how to win at gambling with certainty.

    (De Cessac sees Lesage leave Voisin's room with his hat under his
    arm.)

    De Cessac
    You said it! Ah, here's my man. (confronting Lesage) Ah, the gentleman rogue, I have some business with you.

    Lesage (bowing)
    Sir, you surprise me.

    De Cessac
    You recognize me, I think.

    Lesage (bowing again)
    When one has had the honor to see Monsieur—

    De Cessac
    It is I who asked you a week ago for a secret of how to always win at gambling.

    Lesage
    Exactly, monsieur.

    De Cessac
    You told me that if you had such a secret you would keep it for yourself.

    Hector (laughing)
    By God!

    De Cessac
    You told me only a charlatan could boast of knowing it. But instead of that, you added, you would give me a coin that no matter how I lost it would return to my pocket.

    Hector
    Oh! Oh!

    Lesage (to de Cessac)
    Yes, monsieur! It's a flying coin.

    De Cessac
    Well, I bought your flying coin. I lost it yesterday, and I am still waiting for it

    Lesage
    And it hasn't returned?

    De Cessac
    No, monsieur! No.

    Lesage
    It's very astonishing! There must be some reason. Ah! I have it! Aren't we in a quarter-moon?

    De Cessac
    I don't know.

    Hector
    Yes!

    Lesage
    There. That explains everything. It cannot return until a full moon.

    De Cessac
    Ah!

    Hector
    Didn't he tell you that?

    De Cessac
    No.

    Lesage
    An oversight. At the full moon, monsieur, at the full moon. Not before!

    (Lesage bows and leaves at the back.)

    De Cessac (to Hector, who laughs)
    You don't believe it?

    Hector
    As to his flying coin—no. But as to your stolen coins—yes.

    (De Cessac and Hector leave by the right. Griffard enters the way
    Lesage left. Marguerite runs to Griffard to prevent him from entering.)

    Marguerite
    Eh! Monsieur! Monsieur! Mama isn't receiving any more.

    Griffard
    This little girl is sweet. You are going to see, honey, that she will receive me.

    Marguerite
    But, monsieur—

    Griffard
    I am coming about an inheritance.

    Marguerite
    Yes?

    Griffard
    Hers. Hmm, not even a stuffed owl. No sign of deviltry here.

    Marguerite
    An inheritance! Oh, then, in that case. Eh, mama! Mama!

    (Marguerite goes out and returns with Voisin.)

    Voisin
    An inheritance?

    Marguerite
    Yes.

    Voisin (seeing Griffard)
    An Abbe! I understand. The legacy of a dying person. Everyone is gone. Draw the curtains. (to Griffard) Ah, monsieur priest. Sit down, I beg you. Tell me quickly from whom have I inherited.

    Griffard (smiling)
    My dear Madame, you know it better than I.

    Voisin
    No.

    Griffard
    You are mocking. A fortune teller who reads in rumors, in coffee, on hands!

    Voisin
    Yes, but—

    Griffard
    Come, come, read these, very quickly—who I am and from where I come and about what business.

    Voisin
    Impossible. From the moment it concerns me, I lose all my ability.

    Griffard (laughing)
    Cheater!

    Voisin (stunned)
    You say?

    Griffard (winking at her)
    Cheater! Carloni told me you were.

    Voisin
    Carloni?

    Griffard (mysteriously)
    It's from him you inherit.

    Voisin
    Dead?

    Griffard
    In my arms.

    Voisin
    At sea?

    Griffard
    On dry land. He escaped with me.

    Voisin
    Oh! You were—

    Griffard
    Comrades of the galley.

    Voisin
    Oh, tell me then—what do I inherit?

    Griffard
    From the trunk.

    Voisin (pretending not to understand)
    The trunk?

    Griffard
    Down in your garden, behind the bench.

    Voisin
    Ah, you know.

    Griffard
    Naturally, I inherit with you.

    Voisin
    I don't get all?

    Griffard
    Greedy!

    Voisin (defiant)
    Hum! You say that, but first of all, what is in that trunk? I don't know at all.

    Griffard
    Let's refresh your memory! A thousand ducats in pure gold.

    Voisin
    And who can prove to me that you get a share?

    Griffard
    Half—exactly. If he left it all to you, he would have told me nothing.

    Voisin
    Hum! He didn't sign some paper for you?

    Griffard
    On the grand highway! Must one also remind you of where this money come from?

    Voisin
    My word! It was so long ago.

    Griffard (in her ear)
    It was for his role in poisoning the Duke of Savoy.

    Voisin (shocked)
    He told you that?

    Griffard
    Nothing hidden from me—the good Carloni.

    Voisin
    It would have been better, after all, to leave me the larger share.

    Griffard
    Come on! Don't cheat me of mine. (indicating the room and furnishings) You have enough business.

    Voisin
    Enough, yes.

    Griffard
    What luxury! Madame has, it seems, lackeys, carriages and an open table.

    Voisin
    It's necessary for business! But also I have trouble enough. Go! Think that every living day I have consultations from three to seven and sometimes in the morning, without counting seances in town.

    Griffard
    To read fortunes.

    Voisin
    The past, the future, all! At nine years old I told cards on the bridges. It is there that I met and married Monsieur Montvoisin who was a mercer on the Pont Marie.

    Griffard
    And where is he, Montvoisin?

    Voisin
    At Meudon with the gout. He's a bear! And since I became a wise woman, I have rendered services in this condition.

    Griffard
    I believe it. And now you have become a sorceress.

    Voisin
    You can say that! I read in the stars. With this, I sell talismans, philters, secrets for women's toilet, a water of my making, The Argentine. I don't need to tell you this! And also remedies for illnesses.

    Griffard
    Which you cure?

    Voisin
    Yes.

    Griffard
    That you create?

    Voisin (gaily)
    That, too! One must create what the clients desire, especially the women.

    Griffard
    Who, for instance?

    Voisin
    Oh, never the names! That's the secret of the job. But without telling the names, if you saw them coming here to me—Ooh la la! And what they ask!

    Griffard
    What more?

    Voisin
    Oh! wealth, to inherit as soon as possible from papa, mama, etc., to win at gambling, to find treasures, to not get fat, to not get old, and almost all—to be relieved of their husbands in order to marry their lovers.

    Griffard
    And for this, the best way?

    Voisin
    Damn!

    Griffard
    Aren't you afraid?

    Voisin
    Of what?

    Griffard
    Of the police?

    Voisin
    Oh—I laugh at the police. There are too many more interesting people for them to cause me trouble.

    Griffard
    And then, aren't you afraid the devil will carry you off?

    Voisin
    You can laugh, but I count on him.

    Griffard
    You believe in him, the devil?

    Voisin
    If I do?

    Griffard
    You have seen him?

    Voisin
    No! But one doesn't see God. That doesn't prevent you from believing in him.

    Griffard
    Ah, you believe in God, too?

    Voisin
    In God? What a question! And you?

    Griffard
    Sometimes! But, how can you be on good terms with both of them at the same time?

    Voisin
    To each his role! I go to mass and vespers on Sunday. I confess and commune twice a year. I fast Friday. What more can God ask of me?

    Griffard
    Not to do what he forbids.

    Voisin
    Ah, well—if one only did what he permits—people would be too bored. It's only with the other one who amuses himself and makes good business—and he is the stronger of the two. Go!

    Griffard
    You will be damned!

    Voisin
    Good! One has only to repent at the last minute like Brinvilliers and God will forgive. He's there for that! But you make me chatter so. And you? Do you want something to drink? (going to table) Why were you there?

    Griffard
    For counterfeiting.

    Voisin
    That gives more trouble than profit.

    Griffard
    Which is why I've given it up and am preparing a big deal.

    Voisin
    What?

    Griffard
    It's—you will keep it secret?

    Voisin
    Yes, yes.

    Griffard (lowering his voice)
    It's the death of the King.

    Voisin (quickly turning to him)
    You, too?

    Griffard
    Too? Someone else has proposed it to you?

    Voisin
    That deal—yes, it will pay richly. A hundred thousand crowns, I only wait for that to retire from business.

    Griffard
    Can it be for the same people?

    Voisin (near him)
    Who are you doing it for?

    Griffard
    Oh! I won't beat around the bush. For the friends of Monsieur Fouquet.

    Voisin (quickly)
    Me, too!

    Griffard
    Who, giving up on his pardon, can see only the death of the King as a way of getting him out of prison.

    Voisin
    That's it. They are three.

    Griffard
    One who has a false eye.

    Voisin
    Monsieur de Martroy!

    Griffard
    No, not him, a little smaller.

    Voisin
    The auditor of accounts, Maillard.

    Griffard
    Maillard, yes. So, for the third—I am sure he gave me a false name.

    Voisin
    Isn't he named La Brosse?

    Griffard
    Who knows? I only know these three.

    Voisin
    Then, you've met them?

    Griffard
    All the time.

    Voisin
    And the dogs have offered you—

    Griffard
    Yes!

    Voisin
    After having offered it to me?

    Griffard
    They found you were too slow.

    Voisin
    It is so easy, isn't it? At the King's table, the dishes and wines are tasted in advance—and his plate is under a cover of which only he and the taster have the key.

    Griffard
    There's still a way to get it to him. Some day, when hunting, for example, in a woods, in the water—

    Voisin
    And still, one must have an accomplish.

    Griffard
    I have one.

    Voisin
    Oh, who?

    Griffard
    I am going to tell you so you can ruin my business?

    Voisin
    Oh! No! Between friends. (suddenly) But, instead of disputing, let's do it together.

    Griffard
    Not stupid, you! What do you bring to it?

    Voisin
    The poison.

    Griffard (laughing)
    Thanks! Some apothecary's drug.

    Voisin
    You have something better?

    Griffard
    Me? I have the best of all—the true—the only—

    Voisin
    Oh! What?

    Griffard
    That of the Borgias.

    Voisin (with admiration)
    Oh, yes—that—

    Griffard
    You will tell me news of it.

    Voisin (coming to him)
    Oh, my honey! It would be so nice for us to work together.

    Griffard
    Phooey!

    Voisin
    Not for that, alone, no! For everything! (he looks at her) Yes, I am rich, you know. (she sits on the arm of Griffard's chair and puts her arm around his neck) With all the money I've got put aside, the money from this business—and the money in that trunk in the ground—I will buy land in the provinces—where we will go plant our cabbages, you and I, Abbe of my heart, for you please me. You have no idea how you please me. We will live like lords. Wouldn't you like it? Tell me, my big darling honey.

    Griffard
    Eh! My God.

    Voisin
    Then, it's agreed?

    Griffard
    Give me time.

    Voisin
    It's agreed. And to begin, you are going to sup with me.

    Griffard (starting)
    To sup?

    Voisin
    What's wrong with you?

    Griffard
    You just reminded me that I was invited to sup with Martroy and Maillard—to discuss this business.

    Voisin
    Well, sup with them, and come back and sleep here.

    Griffard
    Oh! We will have to spend the entire night preparing the Borgia. Tomorrow, rather.

    Voisin
    For dinner, then?

    Griffard
    Yes! Oh, tomorrow, whenever you like.

    Voisin
    Ah! Lovely man! How sweet you are. I am going to go crazy about you! Wait! I adore you. (she kisses him, then rises at the sight of Guibourg appearing in the garden with Margot and Marguerite) Don't budge! It's a friend.

    Griffard (standing, wiping off his mouth)
    Yuck!

    Voisin (calling)
    Guibourg! (low to Griffard) Not a word about the trunk or the King! (aloud) The Abbe Guibourg. The Abbe Griffard who came to tell me of the death of the poor Carloni with whom he escaped from the galleys.

    (Griffard takes his hat from the table.)

    Marguerite and Margot
    Dead!

    Guibourg
    Poor fellow.

    Voisin (looking around)
    Lesage isn't here?

    Marguerite
    Left!

    Voisin (to Guibourg)
    Without telling me! The imbecile! I had need of him.

    (The bell rings from the left.

    Marguerite
    Someone's ringing.

    (Marguerite runs quickly to the door at the left.)

    Voisin
    Don't open it. (Marguerite stops) Close the curtains. (to Griffard who seems about to go) No, no—stay—I will tell you why—go in there. (pointing to her room) It's a person who must not be seen, even masked.

    Griffard
    Ah, who then?

    Voisin
    A beauty of the court who wishes to supplant two rivals.

    Griffard (curious)
    But, still?

    Voisin
    Hush! Go there, with Guibourg. You can kill time playing cards! He's a great card player.

    Griffard
    He looks it. We'll play chess.

    Voisin (to Margot)
    Give them something to drink.

    Griffard
    No, never between meals.

    (They go out.)

    Marguerite (to her mother)
    Who is that man?

    Voisin
    An intriguer that I interest. He will ruin the death of the King if I am not quicker than he. Tomorrow morning, early, Margot will go tell Monsieur de Martroy (ringing) that I will wait for him all day and that I am on fire to see him. Open.

    (Marguerite draws the bolt and opens the door.)

    Mademoiselle Desoeillets (in the doorway)
    She's there—getting impatient.

    (She goes to introduce the Marquise.)

    Voisin (stopping her)
    We must get rid of everyone else. (low) Mademoiselle D'Ormoize came.

    Mademoiselle Desoeillets (stopping)
    Well?

    Voisin
    A goose! Nothing doing.

    (Mademoiselle Desoeillets shrugs, then in a low voice addresses the
    Marquise who is unseen.)

    Mademoiselle Desoeillets
    If Madame wishes to enter— (the Marquise enters, masked) I will return in an hour.

    (Mademoiselle Desoeillets leaves. Voisin locks the door behind her.
    Madame de Montespan sits down and looks around.)

    Madame de Montespan
    We are alone?

    Voisin
    Alone, Madame, and the doors are closed.

    Madame de Montespan (unmasking, very upset)
    Voisin—it's me again! Always me! You see a woman in despair.

    Voisin
    Yes, Mademoiselle Desoeillets told me.

    Madame de Montespan
    Yesterday, the King found a way to quarrel with me over this doll he is mad about.

    Voisin
    La Fontanges?

    Madame de Montespan
    A scene! Because I refused to admire the silly way she dances. Everyone was laughing behind their fans. I cried all night.

    Voisin
    Poor Madame.

    Madame de Montespan
    Ah! Voisin, the King is resolved to break with me over her. He doesn't love me anymore.

    Voisin
    Dear Madame, you have said that so often.

    Madame de Montespan
    This time I am not mistaken. God! My reign is finished.

    Voisin
    No indeed, no indeed.

    Madame de Montespan
    Oh, yes, and for a creature I had the stupidity to throw in his arms myself.

    Voisin
    You?

    Madame de Montespan
    Yes. I told myself that since he must always have new fresh fruit, this King, well, rather this one than another. She is nothing, this girl—and through a bitter stupidity I led her to him, expecting to reign longer under her name while she lasted.

    Voisin
    And then?

    Madame de Montespan
    Then? She's been ungrateful to me—insolent. He's offered me the post of Superintendent of the Queen's household.

    Voisin
    Proof he still loves you.

    Madame de Montespan
    Not at all. It's to give me a job that will give him more freedom. Still, I don't worry that much about La Fontanges.

    Voisin
    Well then?

    Madame de Montespan
    Madame Maintenon. Another work of mine.

    Voisin
    That's true.

    Madame de Montespan
    I forced the King to make her the governess of our children, despite his dislike of her. How could I have foreseen how the little hypocrite, widow of a cripple, would ensnare him with her pretended maternal cares. Oh, I understood her too late. A whipper of children! A dishrag.

    Voisin
    Is she really so clever?

    Madame de Montespan
    Ah. Oh, if you saw her dressed as if she were in mourning, sitting in her corner like a spider.

    Voisin
    Well, Madame, you must fight.

    Madame de Montespan
    That's why I again have recourse to your enchantments.

    Voisin
    There is only one, Madame, one alone—which you have always refused. The Black Mass and the powders.

    Madame de Montespan
    Yes!

    Voisin
    We've said others, and they were successful.

    Madame de Montespan
    Yes! They were great triumphs.

    Voisin
    Then, you have no reason to doubt my power—

    Madame de Montespan
    No! But this Mass, can't you do it, as we did twice, with Mademoiselle Desoeillets taking my place.

    Voisin
    No. This time your presence is indispensable.

    Madame de Montespan (sickened, turning her head away)
    It is so unpleasant.

    Voisin
    Consider, you can wear your mask and no one will know who you are except my daughter and myself.

    Madame de Montespan
    Are you sure?

    Voisin
    Oh, who would think it you? Your name has never been mentioned.

    Madame de Montespan
    But! Who will say the Mass?

    Voisin
    The same as always, The Abbe Guibourg.

    Madame de Montespan
    And Lesage?

    Voisin
    And Lesage—for servant. (insisting) Madame—

    Madame de Montespan
    Then so be it. If it must be.

    Voisin
    Absolutely.

    Madame de Montespan
    But, where and when?

    Voisin
    But here, Madame. Right away.

    Madame de Montespan
    Is it possible?

    Voisin
    I foresaw this. (calling) Marguerite! (to Madame de Montespan) We will need a night to prepare the powders after the ceremony. My daughter will bring them to you.

    (Marguerite enters.)

    Voisin (to Marguerite)
    Go prepare everything above!

    (Marguerite nods and goes out.)

    Voisin
    Madame still has this wine taster of the King's at her command?

    Madame de Montespan
    Gillot, yes.

    Voisin
    He will put the powders in the King's right night stand.

    Madame de Montespan
    Yes, in the orangeade the King likes at night.

    Voisin
    If Madame will go with Marguerite.

    Madame de Montespan
    My mask! Oh, happy Madame Maintenon would be is she could see what she forces me to do.

    (Madame de Montespan puts her mask back on and goes into the room.)

    Voisin
    Enter! Enter!

    Griffard
    And it works like checkers. (to Voisin) Where is the lady?

    Voisin
    Hush! Up there! (pointing to her room) I was right to keep you here. You are going to replace Lesage.

    Griffard
    To do what?

    Voisin
    To assist in the Black Mass we are going to say.

    Griffard
    The Black Mass? Are people still engaging in such deviltry?

    Voisin
    You know what it is?

    Griffard
    Not well.

    Voisin
    This will inform you.

    Griffard
    Good! My role will be?

    Voisin (taking a candelabra from the table and giving it to Margot)
    Nothing to do, except to enter with me with a candle in your hand and place it behind the masked lady who will be stretched out. She won't see your face and will take you for Lesage. Not a word that will betray you. When everything is finished, blow out your candle and leave quickly. We won't need you to prepare the powders tonight.

    Griffard
    And will this last long?

    Voisin
    You won't find it long. (Marguerite reappears) It's ready and here is Guibourg!

    (Guibourg comes out of La Voisin's chamber, dressed in black. He is
    followed by Margot carrying two black candles. They go into the chamber.)

    Griffard
    Ah! This is Guibourg?

    Voisin
    Who officiates, yes.

    (Voisin takes the candles from Margot's hand.)

    Voisin
    Take this. (giving Griffard a candle) Follow me.

    Griffard
    Guibourg and I—two Abbes! If the devil isn't happy.

    Voisin (to Margot)
    Watch carefully, you!

    Margot
    Oh, Madame—I have a sharp eye.

    (Voisin leaves and closes the door. Margot runs to watch through the
    keyhole.)

    CURTAIN


    Act III. The Grotto of Thetis.


    The Grotto of Thetis at Versailles, lighted by candles. In the back, groups by Girardon and de Marsy, behind which is the orchestra. Doors on the sides with grills. Those on the left giving on the park, on the right to the palace. Two pillars in the fore scene. To the right rear buffets, chairs. Groups of courtiers coming and going, rising, sitting and talking. To the left a group of three ladies seated, de Brionne and D'Estrees standing.

    De Dommeyrac (bowing to de Brionne)
    Is this the first time a concert has been given in the grotto?

    De Brionne
    Yes, I believe so. (to D'Estrees) Right?

    D'Estrees
    The first.

    De Brionne
    Here is the program.

    (The distributor of the programs, a Negro in costume, gives them some
    programs which they pass to the ladies.)

    First lady (reading)
    Lulli, March of Bacchus, Bellerophon—

    D'Estrees
    The success of the day.

    Second lady
    The Italian complaint—Psyche.

    (Colbert appears in the back, coming from the right. He comes forward
    and bows and is bowed to. The Negro gives him a program. He sees de Vise at the right who bows profoundly to him.)

    Colbert
    Monsieur de Vise, this little festivity will occupy six pages at least of your Mercury.

    De Vise
    Monsieur Colbert deigns to do it the honor of reading it.

    Colbert
    With bitterness.

    De Vise
    That is the sweetest reward.

    De Dommeyrac (in a low voice to the ladies at the sight of Louvois who
    bows and is bowed to) The Marquis de Louvois.

    Colbert (to Louvois, bowing)
    Monsieur the Marquis.

    Louvois
    Monsieur!

    D'Estrees (to the ladies at the sight of Lulli)
    Monsieur Lulli.

    Lulli (to Louvois)
    If Monsieur the Marchese de Louvois deigns to accept his humble servant?

    Louvois
    And where are your musicians, Monsieur Lulli?

    Lulli
    Behind the statues, Monsieur Marchese, so the music sounds like it comes from heaven.

    Louvois
    Ah, fine, fine.

    (Lulli goes back. Madame de Montespan comes in with Mademoiselle
    Desoeillets, Madame d'Humieres, Madame de Brissac, Madame de Nevers, two ladies and courtiers. Many bows.)

    Madame de Montespan
    It's pretty, this lighted grotto. Isn't it, gentlemen?

    Louvois
    Madame, I am happy to see you are not suffering as we had feared.

    Madame de Montespan
    Yesterday, yes, a little migraine. But today—

    Colbert
    More beautiful than ever.

    Madame de Montespan
    I regret, gentlemen, to inform you that the Queen, consumed with her devotions, will not appear at the concert.

    (Murmurs of deception.)

    Madame de Nevers
    Here's Madame the Dauphine.

    (Coming from the right, appearing in the rear where they remain,
    Madame and the Dauphine. Then Fontanges, followed by Mademoiselle D'Ormoize. Many bows to the newcomers.)

    Colbert (to Madame de Montespan)
    And Mademoiselle de Fontanges—very languid—as is usual with her.

    (Colbert goes to greet the Dauphine.)

    Madame de Montespan
    She can hardly walk, the poor girl, and must remain on her chaise lounge.

    (De Dommeyrac, after having greeted the Dauphine and Madame, returns
    to Madame de Montespan with de Brionne and D'Estrees.)

    De Dommeyrac
    Monsieur is more seducing than ever and Madame more manly.

    De Brionne
    She only lacks a mustache!

    Madame de Montespan
    And she is too much for Monsieur.

    (The three ladies of the Marquise, Mesdames de Brissac, de Nevers and
    d'Humieres, after having quitted the princesses, return and stay to the right of the Marquise.)

    Madame de Brissac
    I don't see Madame de Maintenon.

    Madame de Montespan
    Oh, don't wait for her—the Grotto of Thetis irritates her. Hasn't she spoken to me of demolishing it?

    (Protestations.)

    De Brionne
    And why?

    Madame de Montespan
    Her virtue won't permit the King to play Apollo with all these beauties surrounding him.

    De Dommeyrac (seeing Hector in a group at the right)
    Tralage there agrees with you. (calling) Chevalier! (Tralage turns and goes to the Marquise to whom he bows) Will well have the pleasure of seeing Madame de Maintenon?

    Hector
    Madame de Maintenon is at her devotions, with the approval of His Majesty.

    Madame de Montespan
    What did I tell you? (to Hector) Thank you, monsieur.

    (Hector bows and goes back.)

    De Brionne
    A beautiful visit! Maintenon.

    De Dommeyrac
    Yes, but well paid.

    Madame de Montespan
    Two hundred thousand crowns! That's the price of a patent that the King has given—the King—and which she sold.

    D'Estrees
    A Patent?

    Madame de Montespan
    For an invention!

    All
    The Marquise?

    Madame de Montespan
    Eh, yes, a new economical furnace.

    (Discreet laughter.)

    Madame d'Humieres (laughing)
    Come on, Madame de Maintenon!

    Madame de Montespan
    Yes, you can indeed recognize the old household of Monsieur Scarron.

    (She goes with those who surround her to greet Fontanges and meets La
    Reynie coming forward. Meanwhile Griffard enters from the right.)

    Madame de Montespan (to La Reynie)
    Good day, monsieur.

    (She goes to great the princesses.)

    La Reynie (seeing The Abbe)
    Ah, Monsieur Griffard.

    Griffard (bowing)
    Monsieur.

    La Reynie
    I was looking for you.

    Griffard
    In giving me a pass for the concert, Desgrez told me you wished to meet me here.

    La Reynie
    Before anything else, my compliments, monsieur. You have done wonders. Come to the side, I beg you.

    (They go to the right.)

    Griffard
    Desgrez has told you?

    La Reynie
    The arrest of La Voisin and her clique, yes!

    Griffard
    And the strange ceremony at which I assisted yesterday?

    La Reynie
    Yes. It appears they hadn't yet had time to remove the traces of that sacrilegious mass.

    Griffard
    Said at the request of a lady of the court for the removal of her rivals. That was all I could get out of La Voisin.

    La Reynie
    And you didn't catch the features of this woman?

    Griffard
    No. She kept her mask on throughout.

    La Reynie
    She is, perhaps, not two feet from us. Did she see your face?

    Griffard
    Oh, surely not, monsieur! I was stationed behind her, candle in hand. But when she rose unexpectedly, I let a bit of hot wax from my candle fall on her shoulder.

    La Reynie
    She cannot recognize you?

    Griffard
    No more than I can recognize her.

    La Reynie
    In place of other means, her voice?

    Griffard
    No word escaped her teeth except “clumsy” when I spilled the wax. All I can say is that she's not in her first youth.

    Griffard
    She is well made, nice figure. But you will learn quickly from La Voisin who she is.

    La Reynie
    Doubtless.

    Griffard
    For me, monsieur, my role is finished. I wish you courage, for you need it with the trouble you've got.

    La Reynie
    I am worried.

    Griffard
    What I learned from La Voisin was very upsetting. The King is a great King, but in Versailles there is a bad odor. Behind the splendor, the court knows no morality, devotion or religion except the cult of worshipping the King.

    La Reynie
    Think of it, but don't speak of it! Don't go far, perhaps I may need you.

    Griffard
    At your orders, monsieur. Versailles is unaware of this morning's arrest?

    La Reynie
    It is likely.

    Griffard
    I am curious to see the effect it will produce. (seeing de Vise) Here's someone coming.

    La Reynie
    Do it!

    (Bowing. De Vise comes forward with D'Estrees, de Brionne, and de
    Dommeyrac.)

    Griffard
    My dear de Vise.

    De Vise
    Ah! It's The Abbe Griffard.

    De Brionne (to Griffard)
    Resurrected?

    De Vise
    At the Mercury, they thought you were dead.

    Griffard
    Only a voyage.

    D'Estrees
    Business?

    Griffard
    Right. I just arrived and am hardly installed.

    De Vise
    At Versailles?

    Griffard
    At Paris, from which I bring you startling news. The arrest of the popular fortune teller.

    All
    Voisin?

    (The name strikes Mademoiselle Desoeillets who cups her ear.)

    Griffard
    Voisin!

    (Mademoiselle Desoeillets detaches herself from the other ladies to
    listen to Griffard without appearing to do so.)

    De Vise
    And why?

    Griffard
    For witchcraft and poisons!

    Mademoiselle Desoeillets (going to Griffard)
    Pardon, Monsieur Abbe—La Voisin arrested, do you say?

    Griffard (bowing)
    This very morning.

    Mademoiselle Desoeillets
    Are you sure?

    Griffard
    I was there.

    Mademoiselle Desoeillets
    Thank you.

    (Mademoiselle Desoeillets goes to find Madame de Montespan.)

    Griffard
    One of her clients. (to de Vise) Who is she?

    De Vise
    La Desoeillets.

    De Dommeyrac
    Lady-in-waiting to Madame de Montespan.

    Griffard
    Ah!

    De Vise
    The arrest of La Voisin is going to surprise many people.

    Griffard
    And distract others.

    (Griffard takes a program and reads, but observes. He sees Madame de
    Montespan and Mademoiselle Desoeillets and the others go off. Madame de Montespan is very upset. Mademoiselle Desoeillets goes to the buffet to get orangeade for her mistress, but encounters Solange.)

    Mademoiselle Desoeillets (to Solange)
    Good day, mademoiselle.

    Solange
    Good day, mademoiselle. (to a lackey who is serving) A cup of iced milk, if you please.

    Mademoiselle Desoeillets
    For Mademoiselle de Fontanges?

    Solange
    Yes.

    Mademoiselle Desoeillets
    She's very pretty—in the dark.

    Solange
    But, so weak and so suffering.

    Mademoiselle Desoeillets
    One must always pay for one's happiness.

    (Mademoiselle Desoeillets rejoins Madame de Montespan to whim she
    gives the orangeade while Solange goes to Fontanges.)

    Griffard (to a porter)
    My friend, you see the Marquise there?

    Porter
    Yes, monsieur.

    Griffard
    Here's a pistole for you, if you jostle her chair.

    Porter
    Oh, monsieur, I wouldn't dare.

    Griffard
    Two crowns.

    Porter
    I'll try.

    (The porter goes by and jostles her drink which spills.)

    Madame de Montespan
    Clumsy!

    Porter
    Pardon, I—

    Madame de Montespan (drying her robe)
    Go away, imbecile.

    Griffard
    No doubt about it!

    (Griffard goes off.)

    Mademoiselle Desoeillets (on her knees, drying Madame de Montespan's
    dress) It is nothing.

    Madame de Montespan
    The booby.

    Mademoiselle Desoeillets
    Madame is feeling better?

    Madame de Montespan
    Yes, a little surprised, that's all. I hardly expected such news!

    Mademoiselle Desoeillets
    We will tell La Voisin to keep her mouth shut and we will save her.

    Madame de Montespan
    Even if she speaks, no one would believe her. Who would dare to accuse me?

    A voice (in the distance)
    The King!

    (There is a general stir as the King arrives. Two guards appear before
    the King and the violins attack the March of Bellerophon. Followed at a distance by Monsieur, then Louvois and Colbert, then ladies, the King appears. He bows to the ladies. Then he goes to the Dauphine, whose hand he kisses, then the Princess. People jostle each other to see what is happening.)

    Madame de Montespan (to Mademoiselle Desoeillets)
    Look at them, the sluts. They know about our quarrel of yesterday and are watching our meeting to see in what tone he greets me.

    (The King comes to Madame de Montespan, makes her a profound bow and
    kisses her hand.)

    King
    Too much perfume, Marquise, always too much.

    Madame de Montespan
    I will ask Madame de Maintenon for the jasmine with which she bewitches you and of which you never complain, Your Majesty.

    (The King makes no reply, but turns his back with a light bow and goes
    toward Fontanges.)

    Madame de Montespan (bitterly)
    You see!

    (The King talks to Fontanges, and takes her hand, then sits beside
    her. The King raises his cane which is a signal for the concert. The orchestra begins playing “Psyche”. Hector, spotting Solange, goes to her.)

    Hector (low voice, cautiously)
    Solange—

    (She trembles, turns, sees him, then goes to him while others watch
    the King.)

    Hector
    Let's talk without appearing to, my dear. Was it really you at that woman's who was first arrested?

    Solange
    Yes.

    Hector
    And why did you try to avoid me?

    Solange
    I didn't want to be seen with you.

    Hector
    Why

    Solange
    My God, what can I tell you, Hector? I avoided you by instinct because I was ashamed of my motive in visiting that woman.

    Hector
    What motive, my dear Solange?

    Solange
    Why do you ask, Hector? You know very well.

    Hector
    You came to consult the fortune teller?

    Solange
    Yes.

    Hector
    What madness, my poor child! Could you expect a serious revelation from her?

    Solange
    Oh! She told me many truths.

    Hector
    Of the past, perhaps, and the present—but what does she know of the future?

    Solange
    When someone is suffering, it isn't very difficult, especially when she gives one some hope.

    Hector
    Or some despair.

    Solange
    Also, yes. One prefers to know the evil that awaits one.

    Hector
    Well, my dear, it is not to this adventuress you must address yourself, but to me.

    Solange
    To you?

    Hector
    I would have been better able than she to give peace to your poor injured heart.

    Solange
    Oh, Hector.

    Hector (taking her hand)
    Be assured that that which gives you trouble is not as serious as it appears. It was only a moment of madness—of forgetfulness—of which I am now heartily ashamed. Believe it, dear child, and—

    (Scream from Madame d'Humieres, who sees La Fontanges faint.
    Exclamations, etc. The music suddenly stops. Solange runs to Fontanges.)

    Hector
    What is it?

    De Dommeyrac
    Mademoiselle de Fontanges is ill.

    (The King, Madame, and Madame de Montespan surround La Fontanges.)

    King
    Everyone, get back a pace. Some distance, ladies, I beg you, some distance.

    (The ladies obey.)

    Madame de Montespan (to Mademoiselle Desoeillets)
    A glass, your salts.

    (Madame de Montespan takes salts from Mademoiselle Desoeillets and
    makes La Fontanges inhale.)

    King
    D'Aquin, where is d'Aquin?

    (Voices call “D'Aquin, d'Aquin.” Solange gets on her knees before
    Fontanges.)

    Solange
    Madame, dear Madame.

    Mademoiselle Desoeillets
    Her belt!

    (D'Aquin runs in with La Reynie.)

    King
    See, monsieur, see.

    D'Aquin
    Give me room, ladies, I beg you. She's sick.

    King
    Suddenly!

    Madame de Montespan
    Her health is deplorable.

    (D'Aquin bends over Fontanges and takes her pulse.)

    Louvois
    The heat, perhaps.

    Solange
    Madame complained of being cold.

    D'Aquin
    Shivering. (to Fontanges) You suffer a great deal, Madame? (she replies with a gesture) Where do you suffer? (she indicates her stomach) Here, yes—some cramps? (she replies only by gestures) Yes,, violent.

    Mademoiselle Desoeillets
    Was it this iced milk which Mademoiselle Solange gave to her?

    D'Aquin
    You gave Madame—?

    Solange
    At her request, monsieur.

    D'Aquin
    And, after having drunk it?

    Solange
    Some minutes after.

    D'Aquin
    What's necessary is to get Madame to her room quickly.

    (Two servants take her chair and carry her out on it. Many go with
    her.)

    D'Aquin
    Gently, gently, go! I'll be with you in a moment. (to King) We will give her milk—but warm this time. It's still the best antidote.

    King
    Then you think—?

    D'Aquin
    Oh, Sire. There's not much time.

    Madame de Montespan
    It's exactly the case of Madame after the chicory water.

    King (to Solange)
    Stay, miss! Where did you get this cup of milk?

    Solange
    At the buffet, like everybody. (points)

    King
    The cup didn't leave your hand?

    Solange
    No, Sire.

    D'Aquin
    Where is it?

    Solange
    On this table, monsieur.

    (Solange indicates the table behind the pillar on the left and goes to
    get it, but D'Aquin prevents her. He seizes the cup and examines it. Everyone is watching. D'Aquin gives the cup to the master of the hotel.)

    D'Aquin
    Let this be kept with care, and be careful not to wash it.

    (The master of the hotel takes it and leaves by the right.)

    Solange
    Oh! What can one think?

    King
    You are in a great hurry to excuse yourself when no one has accused you.

    Solange
    But, Sire, Monsieur d'Aquin—

    King
    Return to your rooms and await my order. (pointing to La Reynie) And those of this gentleman.

    Solange
    Oh! My God, my God! Me? Is it possible?

    (Solange collapses in an armchair in tears.)

    King
    Ladies, you may retire.

    (The King bows and leaves by the right. Colbert and Louvois follow
    with most of the gentlemen.)

    Hector (to La Reynie)
    Monsieur, you don't think Mademoiselle D'Ormoize capable?

    La Reynie
    Spare me, Hector, from replying to you.

    Hector
    You won't blame me if I accompany her, just to her door.

    La Reynie
    I will blame you greatly if you don't.

    (Hector goes to Solange and, taking her hand, leads her out.)

    La Reynie (to Griffard who is seated by the pillar at the right)
    Well, Monsieur Griffard, this accident doesn't cause you to reflect any?

    Griffard
    Pardon me. It's not a crime to give iced milk to a sick person.

    La Reynie
    Nothing else?

    Griffard
    Nothing.

    La Reynie
    It doesn't seem to you that the unknown last night might be—

    Griffard
    Mademoiselle D'Ormoize? No, monsieur, great God, no. It was neither her voice, nor—

    La Reynie
    I still have reason to believe Mademoiselle D'Ormoize very hostile to her mistress.

    Griffard
    I know nothing about that. But I know very well that the woman of the Black Mass wasn't this young girl.

    La Reynie
    We will see, indeed, we will see!

    (La Reynie leaves by the right.)

    Madame de Montespan (to Mademoiselle Desoeillets)
    Call your brother. Have him bring our chairs. We will return to Clagny.

    Griffard (to de Vise)
    Well, dear friend!

    De Vise
    What an adventure.

    Griffard (loud)
    Yes, the milk was thought to be poisoned, thanks to La Voisin.

    De Vise
    And to think, we were with her, innocently.

    Griffard
    I, too—

    (Madame de Montespan listens. Mademoiselle Desoeillets returns with
    her cloak. Madame de Montespan makes a sign to be quiet.)

    De Vise
    Yesterday.

    Griffard
    In the evening.

    Madame de Montespan (low)
    Listen!

    Griffard
    And this morning, I was one of the first to visit a room in disorder, where there had been a certain ceremony.

    Madame de Montespan (to Mademoiselle Desoeillets)
    This man knows too much. Let him come here.

    De Vise
    What ceremony?

    Griffard
    Imagine.

    Mademoiselle Desoeillets (interrupting)
    Pardon, Monsieur Abbe.

    Griffard (rising)
    Mademoiselle.

    (The others rise and form new groups.)

    Mademoiselle Desoeillets
    Madame the Marquise would like to speak to you.

    Griffard (coming)
    Very honored.

    (Griffard goes to the Marquise.)

    Madame de Montespan
    Thank you, monsieur. I have the pleasure of speaking to The Abbe—

    Griffard
    Griffard, Madame, The Abbe Griffard, at your feet.

    Madame de Montespan
    I beg you to have a seat. You were talking about something which interests me. I heard you speaking of this sorceress—La Voisin is her name, right?

    Griffard
    La Voisin is her name. Yes, Madame.

    Madame de Montespan
    I think you were saying you had seen traces of some ceremony at her place?

    Griffard
    The Black Mass.

    Madame de Montespan (teasingly)
    Do such things really exist?

    Griffard
    Indeed, yes, Madame. Indeed, yes. In fact, I am sure of it.

    Madame de Montespan
    Really! Do you hear, Mademoiselle Desoeillets?

    Mademoiselle Desoeillets
    Yes, Madame.

    Madame de Montespan
    And how can you be sure?

    Griffard
    Through the witnessing of a friend who assisted at one of them, in fact, precisely the one in question.

    (Mademoiselle Desoeillets and Madame de Montespan tremble.)

    Madame de Montespan (troubled)
    Your friend must have been joking.

    Griffard
    Why?

    Madame de Montespan (forgetting herself)
    Because there were only two officiants.

    (Mademoiselle Desoeillets motions to warn her.)

    Griffard
    Did I say there were only two?

    Madame de Montespan
    Everyone knows there are only two.

    Griffard
    Exactly. The usual servant, a certain Lesage, being absent, she replaced him with my friend, who happened to be at hand.

    Madame de Montespan
    Who was he?

    Griffard
    The one who held the candle.

    Madame de Montespan
    Oh!

    (Mademoiselle Desoeillets restrains her.)

    Griffard (pretending not to notice)
    Yes, evidently this was an abuse of confidence, but after all, one witness is as good as another.

    Madame de Montespan
    La Voisin is a cheat, and your friend—

    Griffard
    Ah! Madame, he didn't expect to see what he saw and of which I dare not tell you the details. Once there, there was no way to get out of it. Besides, he was fascinated—fascinated, that's the word.

    Madame de Montespan
    In any case, he is unaware who is the heroine of this adventure?

    Griffard
    He has not named her.

    Madame de Montespan
    How would he know her name? She was masked, I suppose?

    Griffard (confirming)
    Yes, masked.

    Madame de Montespan
    Then, he doesn't know who she is?

    Griffard
    Yes, he says he can recognize her.

    Madame de Montespan
    By what signs?

    Griffard
    The figure, the pretty blond hair.

    Madame de Montespan
    Around here, there's nothing but blond hair.

    Griffard
    And then, the voice—haughty, imperious.

    Madame de Montespan
    Hardly enough. Is that all?

    Griffard
    One more thing. My friend was having trouble with that black candle and some wax spilled on the lady's shoulder. Right here.

    (Griffard indicates her shoulder where she has a burn mark which she
    has hidden while pretending to play with her fan.)

    Madame de Montespan
    Still, that won't betray her, at least not if your friend has nothing more against her.

    Griffard
    Against her? Madame—what are you saying? He has no intention of noising this affair. He's much too gallant a man.

    Madame de Montespan
    And what does your friend want as the price of his discretion?

    Griffard
    Nothing for himself.

    Madame de Montespan
    Nothing—neither money, nor employment?

    Griffard
    Nothing.

    Madame de Montespan
    Then, I don't understand.

    Griffard
    He hopes that the great lady involved will, from pity of that unfortunate girl who is wrongly suspected of poisoning Mademoiselle de Fontanges—

    Madame de Montespan
    Suspected wrongly?

    Griffard
    Wrongly! That the great lady will employ her royal influence to save the child.

    Madame de Montespan
    And if she does?

    Griffard
    My friend will never disclose who the lady of last night was.

    Madame de Montespan
    And what happens if she doesn't?

    Griffard
    He will tell all.

    Madame de Montespan
    To—La Reynie?

    Griffard
    To the King.

    Madame de Montespan
    Without supporting proof?

    Griffard
    He will have some.

    Madame de Montespan
    The burn mark, right? And the imbecile thinks they will believe him?

    Griffard
    That's what he imagines, the imbecile.

    Madame de Montespan (rising, menacing)
    Tell your friend that if he doesn't want to be burned himself as an accomplice of Voisin, he'd better keep quiet. He can expect that!

    Griffard
    But he won't wait for it!

    Madame de Montespan
    We will see. Good day, Abbe.

    Griffard
    Oh, Madame won't ever be so charming as last night.

    (Griffard bows, then goes to the buffet where he gets a drink.)

    Madame de Montespan
    The wretch. He needs a room in the Bastille.

    Mademoiselle Desoeillets
    I have a better idea.

    (Madame de Montespan move to another group.)

    Mademoiselle Desoeillets (to a lackey)
    Fabien, you are going to follow this Abbe when he leaves and beat him. Leave him for dead. It's Madame's order and whatever happens you have nothing to fear. Understand? Go!

    Madame de Montespan (to her entourage)
    Good day, gentlemen. Come, Desoeillets.

    (Madame de Montespan and Mademoiselle Desoeillets leave by the left.
    The other courtiers retire to the right. Griffard, who has observed Mademoiselle Desoeillets, starts to leave but is blocked by the master of the hotel.)

    Master of the hotel
    Pardon, Monsieur. Where are you going?

    Griffard
    I am leaving.

    Master of the hotel
    That way, monsieur. This side is the palace. (walking away)

    Griffard
    That way?

    Valet
    Yes. You follow the arbor to the Gate of the Dragon.

    Griffard
    Rather dark and lonely that way. (to master of the hotel, who is walking back) Tell me, my friend, is there no other way to leave than that?

    Master of the hotel
    None at all, monsieur. Hurry, they are going to close the gate. (to one of the valets) What's wrong with him? He doesn't want to leave.

    (Griffard goes to the left, stops, turns, comes back. He then goes to
    a table and takes two knives which he places in his pocket. Now, having been seen by the master of the hotel, he starts to leave again.)

    Master of the hotel (barring his way)
    Ah, Abbe, Abbe.

    Griffard
    Excuse me?

    All (surrounding him and singing)
    Monsieur Abbe, Where are you running to?

    Griffard
    Gentlemen, gentlemen, I beg you.

    Master of the hotel
    Permit me.

    (The master of the hotel removes the knives from Griffard's pocket.)

    Griffard
    Oh, my God! Gentlemen, is it possible?

    (A patrol of four guards comes up after a motion from the master of
    the hotel.)

    Sergeant
    Is this the one?

    All
    Yes.

    Griffard (pretending to be astounded)
    Oh, heavens! Are you arresting me?

    All
    It astounds him?

    Sergeant
    Come on, Monsieur Abbe, if you please.

    Griffard
    Monsieur—grace—pity!

    Sergeant
    Take your places. March.

    Griffard (aside, relieved)
    Ah, now I'm quite relieved.

    (Griffard exits under guard.)

    CURTAIN


    Act IV. La Reynie's office


    An usher is arranging papers on the table. La Reynie enters by the door at the right which the second usher opens for him.

    La Reynie
    Desgrez is here?

    Usher
    Yes, monsieur. In Monsieur Sagot's office.

    La Reynie
    Call him.

    (La Reynie studies the papers on his desk while waiting. The usher
    goes to Sagot's office to get Desgrez, who then arrives.)

    La Reynie
    Has The Abbe Griffard been here in my absence?

    Desgrez
    No, monsieur.

    La Reynie
    Send to his rooms.

    Desgrez
    Useless, monsieur. I received a letter from him which hardly surprised me. He's in prison at Versailles for theft. I took it on myself to send two of my men to get him.

    La Reynie
    Advise me when he arrives.

    (Desgrez goes back to Sagot's office. The main door opens and Colbert
    and Louvois enter.)

    La Reynie
    I've just come from St. Germain, gentlemen, where the King informed me that I was to have the honor of your visit.

    Louvois
    His Majesty, monsieur, at the express desire of Mademoiselle de Fontanges, who was unable to believe in the guilt of her lady of honors, commanded Monsieur Colbert and myself to assist in her interrogation before any arrest is made.

    La Reynie
    Since my arrival I gave the order to have her brought here.

    Colbert
    Monsieur d'Aquin assures us that Mademoiselle de Fontanges is out of danger.

    Louvois
    The attempt was made, none the less.

    La Reynie
    Assuredly.

    Colbert
    The Chamber Ardent will look into this doubtful case. How much does the King know?

    La Reynie
    Everything. His Majesty wishes to take part in the interrogations himself.

    Usher (at the door)
    The Chevalier de Tralage.

    La Reynie
    You can bring him in.

    (Hector enters and bows to Louvois and Colbert.)

    La Reynie
    My nephew, Chevalier de Tralage.

    Louvois
    I've had the pleasure many times at Madame de Maintenon's.

    Colbert
    Who praises him much.

    La Reynie
    My nephew is here as a witness, if need by. Sit down, Hector.

    First usher
    Monsieur Sagot is returned.

    La Reynie
    Let him come in.

    (Sagot enters with dossiers. The usher closes the door.)

    La Reynie
    Monsieur Sagot, Clerk of the Chamber Ardent. These are the interrogatories?

    Sagot
    Yes, monsieur.

    Louvois
    La Voisin has confessed?

    Sagot
    No, monsieur, and her attitude is very different from those of the other accused. She affects the greatest tranquility, she sings, she laughs, she drinks! We found a letter on her saying: “Keep quiet—we will save you.”

    (Colbert and Louvois rise and talk together at the right of the table.
    Hector also rises.)

    Sagot (low to La Reynie)
    Monsieur, I draw your attention to these passages marked in red ink. Monsieur de Bezons desires to confer with you before you see His Majesty.

    La Reynie
    Fine! I will see to this in a moment. Sit down, Monsieur Sagot. You come right in the nick of time to take some notes.

    (Sagot sits and gets ready to write.)

    Desgrez (coming from the right)
    Mademoiselle D'Ormoize is here, monsieur.

    La Reynie
    Wait! (to Hector) I know from an indiscretion of Monsieur de Cessac, who met you Saturday at La Voisin's that you saw Mademoiselle D'Ormoize leaving there. Why didn't you tell me that?

    Hector
    De Cessac, monsieur, is very talkative. I didn't say I had recognized her, merely that I thought it looked like Mademoiselle D'Ormoize.

    La Reynie
    Meaning, Hector, that from generosity you didn't wish to reveal this clandestine visit which creates a very grave charge against her?

    Hector
    My God, monsieur!

    La Reynie
    From your discretion, one may conclude you fear the truth may harm her. (Hector makes a gesture) That's enough! (to Desgrez) Bring in Mademoiselle D'Ormoize.

    (Colbert and Louvois sit to the right, La Reynie at the table, Hector
    on a chair. Desgrez brings in Solange.)

    La Reynie
    Sit down, mademoiselle. (Solange sits on a chair provided by Desgrez.) I don't have to remind you of the crime of which you are accused?

    Solange
    Very unjustly, monsieur, I assure you.

    La Reynie
    We hope so. You went Saturday, in the afternoon, to the home of this woman La Voisin. Monsieur de Tralage saw you there.

    Solange
    Yes, monsieur.

    Louvois
    And, why this hurry to escape from his view?

    Solange
    I was going for him, monsieur, but he was unaware of it.

    La Reynie
    Once again, the purpose of this visit?

    Solange
    I was very sad, monsieur, very discouraged. I went to consult this woman, like so many others, to know if I could hope to regain a lost happiness.

    La Reynie
    Meaning the love of this gentleman?

    Solange
    Yes, monsieur.

    La Reynie
    Taken by another woman?

    Solange
    Yes, monsieur.

    La Reynie
    For whom you naturally have feelings of jealousy and hate?

    Solange
    Oh, of jealousy, monsieur, yes. It's quite natural, but not of hate.

    La Reynie
    Still, you told Mademoiselle de Coetlegon yesterday morning: “Oh, soon she won't make me suffer any more.”

    Solange
    Yes, monsieur, for after my visit to La Voisin, I counted on soon leaving Mademoiselle de Fontanges' service.

    La Reynie
    Still, you asked this woman for some elixir or powder.

    Solange
    Oh, no, monsieur, no. She is the one who proposed a philter to me—to make her drink. But I refused it, fearing it would make her ill.

    La Reynie
    If it wasn't to receive this philter, why did you return to La Voisin the same evening toward eight o'clock?

    Solange
    Me, monsieur?

    La Reynie
    Yes!

    Solange
    But I did not return to her, monsieur.

    La Reynie
    Are you very sure of that? You didn't return to Saint Germain?

    Solange
    No, monsieur

    La Reynie
    Where were you?

    Solange
    I went to the Church of Saint Roche for blessing.

    La Reynie
    Were you seen by someone who can testify to it?

    Solange
    Not that I know, monsieur.

    (La Reynie exchanges looks with Louvois and Colbert.)

    La Reynie
    Then, you have no proof to support that statement. Are you sure you are not confusing the blessing at Saint Roche with a ceremony at La Voisin's—the Black Mass?

    Solange
    Oh!

    La Reynie
    You know what it is?

    Solange
    I have heard it spoken of, monsieur, as a horrible thing—in honor of the devil. That's all I know.

    La Reynie
    Well, we have reason to believe you assisted at this diabolic mass.

    Solange
    Me? What horror!

    La Reynie
    To prepare the poison poured by you the next day into the cup of milk.

    Solange
    But that's false, monsieur. That's false. And it's absurd. I am constantly at my service with Mademoiselle de Fontanges, who is ill. I am always giving her potions from Monsieur d'Aquin. It would be very easy for me to administer some bad beverage when I am alone with her— and no one would know it. I would be very stupid to do it in front of everyone.

    Louvois
    You might not have expected such a prompt effect.

    Colbert
    And milk taken from the buffet would be less suspect than a potion from a sick person's bedside.

    Solange
    Ah, God, with such arguments, who would not be guilty?

    La Reynie
    In short, you deny returning that evening to La Voisin's?

    Solange
    Yes—I deny it! Yes, yes, yes, I deny it!

    La Reynie
    Bring in the person who was there.

    (Desgrez opens the door in the rear and brings in Mademoiselle
    Desoeillets.)

    La Reynie
    Marie Desoeillets, lady serving Madame de Montespan, do you wish, mademoiselle, to tell these gentlemen what you told me concerning Mademoiselle D'Ormoize.

    Mademoiselle Desoeillets
    Saturday evening, gentlemen, Madame de Montespan having given me several commission in Paris, I was coming back by way of the Rue Poissonniere in a carriage towards nine in the evening, when I saw Mademoiselle leave the Rue Beauregard.

    Solange
    Me?

    Mademoiselle Desoeillets (without looking at her)
    Oh, I recognized her very clearly. She wasn't masked and it was still light.

    Solange
    You saw me—me? You saw me at that time?

    Mademoiselle Desoeillets
    I thought it was some love intrigue and from discretion I went my way without seeming to see her.

    Solange
    But it wasn't me!

    La Reynie (to Mademoiselle Desoeillets)
    Are you indeed sure?

    Mademoiselle Desoeillets
    Oh, monsieur! I saw her just as I see you.

    Solange (rising)
    But this is false! This is false! Oh, evil woman, you are killing me with your lies.

    La Reynie
    You swear to it?

    Mademoiselle Desoeillets
    I swear it was Mademoiselle!

    Solange
    And I, I swear she is lying.

    Mademoiselle Desoeillets
    I swear that I speak the truth.

    Solange
    She's lying! She's lying! Oh, wretch, you are ruining me. What wrong have I done you?

    Mademoiselle Desoeillets
    And what reason would I have to lie?

    La Reynie (to Solange)
    Come on, confess.

    Louvois
    Admit the truth.

    Colbert
    To deserve some pity.

    Solange
    I don't want pity! I want justice.

    Louvois
    Don't oblige us to force the truth out of you.

    Solange
    Oh, if you hurt me, I will confess anything you wish. That doesn't prevent me from being innocent.

    La Reynie
    That's all! (to Desgrez) Conduct Mademoiselle to the Bastille.

    (Desgrez steps toward her.)

    Solange (rising excitedly)
    No, no, I don't wish it! Leave me alone! Leave me alone! (she repulses Desgrez) Gentlemen! Gentlemen! I am innocent. I swear it on the salvation of my soul. Before God who hears me and will punish her.

    La Reynie
    Desgrez.

    Solange
    No! No! (she runs to Hector) Monsieur, from pity, defend me. Don't let me be taken away by that man. You know I am not a woman who would kill someone—you, you know it. Tell them then, that I am not capable. Tell them. Tell them.

    (Hector is overwhelmed. He dries her eyes without looking at her.)

    Solange
    Oh, you believe it, too. You! (to Desgrez) Oh God, take me away from him—take me away from him, and do with me whatever you wish.

    (Desgrez leads her off to the right.)

    La Reynie
    You can leave, Hector. But this is partly your fault.

    Hector (very moved)
    Ah, monsieur. I'll never forgive myself for it in this life.

    (Hector leaves by the left. The door is closed after him.)

    Le Reynie (to Louvois and Colbert)
    Well, gentlemen, you are convinced, as I am. (to Mademoiselle Desoeillets) I don't need to keep you any longer, Mademoiselle.

    (Mademoiselle Desoeillets curtsies and goes to the door. Upon opening
    it she is confronted by Griffard, who bars her way. She retreats before him. He takes a step forward and Mademoiselle Desoeillets thinks to get by him but he blocks her again, without seeming to.)

    La Reynie
    It's our Abbe! Come in, come in, Monsieur Griffard. We are finished. What is this business of theft?

    Griffard (pointing to Mademoiselle Desoeillets)
    No one, monsieur, can better inform you than this lady.

    Mademoiselle Desoeillets (very troubled)
    Me?

    La Reynie (startled)
    Mademoiselle Desoeillets?

    Griffard
    She will explain that after I had a conversation with a certain lady, I thought it wise to be under the protection of the police.

    La Reynie (to Mademoiselle Desoeillets)
    You hear?

    Mademoiselle Desoeillets
    Monsieur! Monsieur! Don't believe a word this man says.

    Griffard (tranquilly)
    Me, I will say nothing. I am going to let you do all the talking.

    La Reynie
    Now, what is there between you and him?

    Mademoiselle Desoeillets (exasperated by Griffard's smiling face and
    losing her composure) There—oh, this Abbe. He's a scoundrel, monsieur, a rogue who has sworn to betray us.

    La Reynie
    Us?

    Griffard
    Go on, my dear. A good start. Continue. Speak!

    Mademoiselle Desoeillets (between her teeth)
    Oh! Demon!

    Griffard
    To betray us? By whom? Answer. Us—who is us?

    Mademoiselle Desoeillets
    Me—and—

    La Reynie
    Who?

    Mademoiselle Desoeillets
    Madame!

    (Exclamations by Colbert and La Reynie.)

    Louvois
    Your mistress?

    Mademoiselle Desoeillets
    He threatened to denounce her about this affair.

    La Reynie
    Of the poisons! To denounce—

    Louvois and Colbert
    The Marquise!

    Griffard (tranquilly)
    You've done it! Thank you, my dear, you spared me the trouble.

    Louvois
    But this is absurd!

    Colbert
    This man is crazy!

    Mademoiselle Desoeillets
    Oh! He's not crazy! But—

    (Sagot opens his dossier and shows a passage to La Reynie.)

    La Reynie
    Pardon! Gentlemen, I beg you— (to Desgrez) Desgrez, take Mademoiselle.

    Desgrez
    Free?

    La Reynie
    Secretly and under careful guard.

    (Colbert and Louvois are stupefied.)

    Mademoiselle Desoeillets
    Me!

    La Reynie (to Desgrez)
    Quickly! Quickly!

    Mademoiselle Desoeillets (as she is led off by Desgrez to the right)
    Oh, this man, this man! (to Griffard) Oh, wretch, you will pay dearly for this.

    Louvois (to La Reynie)
    What do you mean, monsieur?

    La Reynie
    Listen to this passage from the interrogation of Voisin's daughter which was just brought to my attention. The girl tried to strangle herself in prison. Question: Where were you the morning your mother was arrested? Reply: I was going to Saint Germain to deliver the powders prepared after the Black Mass.

    Griffard
    Oh!

    La Reynie
    Question: To deliver them to whom? Reply: To Mademoiselle Desoeillets. Question: What were these powders? Reply Love powders to preserve to Madame de Montespan the love of the King.

    (He puts the dossier on the table for Colbert and Louvois to read.)

    Colbert
    Well, the girl can say what she wants.

    Louvois
    Doubtless.

    (Sagot puts another paper before La Reynie, which he glances at, then
    starts to read.)

    Louvois
    The interrogation of The Abbe Guibourg. He confesses to saying the Black Mass for Madame de Montespan who was masked. He also says he's done it several times for her over the years.

    Colbert
    And how does he know the masked woman was Madame de Montespan?

    Louvois?
    Yes?

    La Reynie
    He was asked that. Here is his reply: “At one of the first masses, under the chalice was written on a parchment 'I ask that the King continue to love me, that my children be recognized as princes, and that the Queen be repudiated so I can marry the King.'“ Only Madame de Montespan could have asked that. Moreover, the servant Margot, Lesage, and Marguerite confirm the same dates and the same details.

    Louvois
    And, if all these rascals were making this up in the hope we wouldn't dare try them, just by embarrassing Madame de Montespan?

    Colbert
    Or simply to gain some time?

    La Reynie
    The accused, from the time of arrest, were all isolated and questioned separately. No cooperation is possible.

    Colbert
    At present. But, they might have concocted it in advance.

    La Reynie
    So be it! But The Abbe Griffard is not party to their plot.

    Louvois
    Do you formally accuse her?

    Griffard
    Oh, yes, I accuse her.

    Colbert
    You recognized her as the masked woman?

    Griffard
    Absolutely.

    Louvois
    And you told her this?

    Griffard
    Explicitly.

    Colbert
    And she admitted it?

    Griffard
    No! She denied it.

    Louvois and Colbert
    Ah!

    Griffard
    But, without knowing it, she gave herself away! Then she threatened to kill me if I mentioned her name.

    Colbert
    On a simple suspicion?

    Louvois
    Without proofs to support it?

    Griffard
    Without proofs? I have one—and a very damning one.

    Colbert and Louvois
    Which is?

    Griffard
    Allow me to hold it in reserve—in the likelihood I may have to defend myself.

    Colbert
    You foresee that?

    Griffard
    Oh, monsieur, when a poor devil like me attacks such a powerful person, he can expect anything. I am expecting it and I am prepared!

    Louvois (moving his chair)
    Gentlemen, we have to talk. Let Monsieur Griffard and Sagot leave us for a little while.

    La Reynie
    Monsieur Griffard, will you wait with Monsieur Sagot?

    Griffard (bowing)
    Whatever you like, monsieur.

    (Sagot and Griffard go into Sagot's office.)

    Louvois
    You are very polite, monsieur, to this gazetteer.

    La Reynie
    He has just rendered us a signal service.

    Louvois
    Which may do a lot of harm if we don't put things in good order. These sad revelations are a serious test of our zeal for His Majesty. What is your opinion on the guilt of Madame de Montespan?

    Colbert
    Unfortunately, very likely.

    La Reynie
    And for me, very certain.

    Louvois
    It is a point I am sure on which we are all agreed. And also that the Marquise can never be brought to trial. No one must know of this.

    Colbert
    Assuredly. Her name cannot be mentioned.

    La Reynie
    We cannot lose sight of the fact that the King is aware of all I knew or thought I knew of this unfortunate affair. He is anxiously awaiting the result of the first interrogations. What shall we do?

    Louvois
    The simplest and in reality the only thing to do. Blame it all on Mademoiselle D'Ormoize, but with the help of Mademoiselle de Fontanges obtain the King's forgiveness for her.

    La Reynie
    Declared guilty?

    Louvois
    Without hesitation!

    La Reynie (hesitating)
    It's a measure—

    Louvois
    Harsh! I agree. But can you think of a better?

    La Reynie
    I would prefer one which put both Madame de Montespan and Mademoiselle D'Ormoize out of danger.

    Louvois
    That's impossible! If we declare Mademoiselle D'Ormoize not guilty, then the King will naturally ask who is guilty? He won't allow the crime to go unpunished.

    La Reynie
    But the Chamber Ardent—

    Louvois
    The Chamber Ardent is not the Parliament. It understands its duties as we do. The thing to do is suppress the interrogations. Declare to the accusers that we see only slanders in their statements against Madame de Montespan—an attempt to hide behind her. Shorten the procedure. Expedite the execution of La Voisin, her daughter, Guibourg, Lesage! Release Mademoiselle D'Ormoize instantly. And for the rest, deport them to Canada or Santo Domingo.

    Louvois
    In a month the affair will be over. And Madame de Montespan will be saved. There won't be a single witness, a single proof, a single accuser.

    La Reynie
    Parson, monsieur, there is still one.

    Louvois
    The Abbe.

    La Reynie
    Whom the King wishes to interrogate.

    Louvois
    He won't give us any trouble. He's much too smart not to bend to our will. Call him—and we will teach him his role.

    La Reynie (calling)
    Monsieur Griffard! Come, I beg you!

    (Griffard enters.)

    Louvois
    Take a seat! Take a seat, I beg you. We are all agreed to suppress this interrogation and to leave His Majesty in ignorance of the role played in this scandal by Madame de Montespan. It's necessary that you be informed.

    Griffard
    Me, monsieur?

    Louvois
    Yes! You will have the honor of being questioned by the King. Your declaration must agree with ours.

    Griffard
    I am not a judge, monsieur, and for my part, I see no reason not to leave Madame de Montespan in the shadow.

    Colbert (approvingly)
    That's it.

    Louvois
    Very good.

    Griffard
    But in this situation, what will become of Mademoiselle D'Ormoize?

    Louvois
    We are considering.

    Griffard
    She won't be set free?

    Louvois
    Impossible. To release Mademoiselle D'Ormoize is to implicate the Marquise.

    Colbert
    You don't have to identify the unknown—with Mademoiselle D'Ormoize— but simply to tell His Majesty that you don't know who she is. (pause) The rest is our concern.

    Griffard
    I don't wish harm to anyone, but this young girl?

    Colbert
    This scruple is praiseworthy, but excessive. It is a question of superior interest.

    Griffard
    I know of no interest superior to justice and humanity.

    Colbert
    It's a case of adopting a measure which injures only one person but profits all the others.

    Griffard
    Gentlemen, I am not a religious man, but this—

    Louvois
    Don't you allow for an individual to be sacrificed for the community?

    Griffard
    If it's voluntary—certainly. That's heroism. If it is imposed, it is nothing but martyrdom.

    Colbert
    Martyrdom—so be it! It is beautiful to suffer for one's King.

    Griffard
    We must get Mademoiselle D'Ormoize's opinion.

    (Louvois makes a gesture of impatience, but is calmed by Colbert.)

    Colbert
    It's a case of accepting a small evil for a great benefit. Public morality would be outraged if this became known.

    Griffard
    I agree to that. But the only way to avoid it is to take the position that the King does justice no matter how closely it touches his own person or his closest associates.

    Colbert
    You are mad!

    Louvois
    We must suffocate this affair at any price.

    Griffard
    I would like to do so; but not at the price of Mademoiselle D'Ormoize.

    Colbert
    You can't place this girl in balance with the shame to the state, to the King, that the affair must insure.

    Griffard
    I can't conceive of any greater taint on royal prestige than this shameful condemnation of Mademoiselle D'Ormoize.

    Colbert
    But there's no shame. It will be a secret.

    Louvois
    It will seem to be a merit.

    Griffard
    But that's exactly what I find to be revolting.

    Louvois (upset)
    Bourgeois morality has nothing to do with this! It cannot regulate the duty of a Minister.

    Griffard
    Then, monsieur, he must suffer for it, when his duty is not that of an honest man.

    (Louvois makes a gesture of rage. He is restrained by Le Reynie.)

    Louvois
    Monsieur, you are strangely abusing the patience we are expending in convincing you.

    Griffard
    We are philosophizing, monsieur. I will bow to your arguments if I find them convincing.

    Colbert (ingratiatingly)
    Let's see, let's see, Abbe. Let's think it through. Government is not possible without discreet measures to which all laws must bend—The Reason of State.

    Griffard
    That's a reason given in place of others. When someone vanishes, the question is: Was it down by a criminal or a Minister?

    (Louvois is furious.)

    Colbert
    Perhaps it's the memory of your own wrongs that makes you so reluctant?

    Griffard
    Not at all. I just wish to protect Mademoiselle D'Ormoize—nothing more.

    Colbert
    Well, she'll be all right!

    (Louvois stares at Colbert, but Colbert gestures to him.)

    Colbert
    Did we say we were going to send her to the execution? Not at all. We will inter her in some provincial convent where she will be well cared for and, after a while, we'll find an honest marriage for her and a good dowry. Look—what the devil—you are not her brother, her father, or her lover, are you?

    Griffard
    Me? I only saw her for the first time in my life yesterday—and have never spoken to her.

    Colbert
    Then, why do you espouse her cause so hotly?

    Griffard
    Because she had only me to defend her.

    Louvois
    Do you persist in your refusal?

    Griffard
    Yes, monsieur, I persist.

    Louvois (breaking away from Colbert who is trying to restrain him)
    That's enough! No more discussion. I forbid you to tell His Majesty a single word which can endanger Madame de Montespan.

    Griffard
    I must consult my conscience.

    Louvois (violently)
    I have nothing to do with your conscience. I order you to obey, that's all.

    Griffard
    I don't have the same reasons you do to sacrifice this young woman. And I won't aid something I consider to be a crime.

    Colbert
    You say what!

    Griffard
    A crime! You have no right to withhold this information—the truth— from His Majesty.

    Louvois
    You will tell the King?

    Griffard
    Everything. Including your attempt to silence me.

    Louvois
    You will tell him nothing.

    Griffard
    I differ—

    Louvois
    Nothing! You are not going to see him.

    Griffard
    Monsieur!

    La Reynie (protesting)
    The King has commanded me.

    Louvois (beside himself)
    Well, I forbid it.

    La Reynie
    But—

    Louvois
    I forbid it! And I take it on myself. The King will understand why I spared him the sight of a factious rebel, a mad man—

    Griffard
    Me?

    Louvois
    Escaped from the galley.

    Griffard
    Take care, monsieur.

    Louvois
    You dare?

    Griffard
    Take care of preventing me from seeing the King.

    Louvois (almost crazy)
    Threats! To me!

    Griffard
    The King—

    Louvois (no longer listening)
    This is too much insolence.

    Colbert (trying to calm him)
    Monsieur—

    Louvois (to La Reynie)
    Put this comedian in the Bastille.

    Griffard
    I tell you, I will defend myself.

    Louvois
    He's still railing! In a cell—in the basement—

    Griffard
    Reason of State.

    Louvois
    And if he's still insolent, the whip!

    Griffard
    Why not death?

    Louvois
    We will see later if it would be better to return him to the galleys and let him rot there.

    Griffard
    An execution.

    Louvois (to La Reynie)
    You heard me, monsieur. (La Reynie bows) Come, monsieur, come. We have nothing more to do here.

    (Louvois and Colbert leave. The usher closes the door after them.)

    Griffard
    Monsieur! Monsieur! You promised me that whatever might happen, I would be free.

    La Reynie
    Yes, but—

    Griffard
    You swore it, monsieur. And they are arresting me. For telling the truth.

    La Reynie
    It's an order of the Minister. I must obey.

    Griffard
    And you are going to do what?

    La Reynie
    Obey him! I arrest you.

    Griffard
    Oh.

    La Reynie
    But all prisoners have the right to escape. (pointing to the door) Escape by the side entrance and good luck.

    Griffard
    Ah, monsieur. I am sure of it.

    La Reynie
    Where are you going to go?

    Griffard
    To the King.

    La Reynie
    You are risking your head.

    Griffard
    I will risk it. The cause is worth it. Till we meet again, monsieur.

    La Reynie
    Abbe! (Griffard turns in the doorway) You are a brave man.

    Griffard
    Well, monsieur, that goes for both of us.

    (Griffard disappears.)

    CURTAIN


    Act V. The King's palace at St. Germain


    The King's room—bedchamber. Window opening on a balcony. The room is lit by candelabra. Ladies and courtiers are seated and standing, talking.

    Madame d'Humieres
    They interrogated the accused this morning. Several important people are badly compromised—but no one knows who for sure.

    Madame de Brissac
    And the King is very preoccupied with it.

    De Brionne
    Lower! His Majesty is on the balcony.

    Madame d'Humieres
    Much to far to hear us.

    De Dommeyrac
    What is certain is that at three this morning, the Countess de Soissons and the Marquise d'Allunye left quietly by carriage.

    Madame de Nevers
    The couldn't betray themselves more clumsily.

    Madame de Brissac
    Yes. Her conscience is blacker than her complexion, la Mancini.

    De Brionne
    The death of the Count of Soissons has been suspected for a long time.

    De Dommeyrac
    And the attempted assassination of Mademoiselle de la Valliere.

    (The ladies exclaim.)

    Madame de Nevers (to Madame d'Humieres)
    Come now!

    Madame de Brissac
    Assassination?

    Madame d'Humieres
    Is it possible?

    De Dommeyrac
    It's an old story and kept quiet. But I already know the best part. Madame de Soissons was enraged to be supplanted by Mademoiselle de la Valliere, so she introduced two ragamuffins into La Valliere's quarters with orders to strangle her in her sleep. They were opening the window when La Valliere was awakened by the noise and put them to flight.

    (The King leaves the balcony and comes forward with Colbert.)

    De Brionne
    The King.

    (All rise respectfully.)

    King
    So, monsieur, Mademoiselle D'Ormoize doesn't admit it?

    Colbert
    Far from it, Sire. Louvois and La Reynie will tell you as I do.

    King
    D'Aquin says Mademoiselle de Fontanges was not poisoned. But Mademoiselle D'Ormoize will always be guilty of having assisted at this sacrilegious mass. I will talk it over shortly with Monsieur de La Reynie, who is here—and tomorrow with Monsieur de Louvois.

    (La Reynie enters through a door at the left which is opened by an
    usher. He carries a large portfolio of red Moroccan leather.)

    King
    Good evening, monsieur.

    (Colbert bows.)

    King (to the company)
    Ladies, when you have taken leave of the Queen, I suggest you go down to the buffet. It's delicious by moonlight.

    Madame d'Humieres.
    Your Majesty won't add his presence to this delicious nocturnal affair?

    King
    No, regretfully. I have to work this evening with Monsieur de La Reynie. Ladies, I won't keep you any longer.

    (The King bows to them and the ladies curtsey, then leave.)

    King
    You are alone, monsieur? I told you to bring that man—what's his name?

    La Reynie
    The Abbe Griffard, Sire. But Monsieur de Louvois, after having spoken with him, thought he was not a person to whom your Majesty could give an audience, and ordered me to lodge him in the Bastille.

    King
    Mr. Colbert told me nothing of this.

    La Reynie
    An oversight.

    King
    Monsieur de Louvois permits himself to contradict my orders too often. He will end by irritating me. Send for The Abbe.

    La Reynie
    Unfortunately, Sire, before being arrested, he escaped. The man has a positive genius for escape.

    King
    Try to find him.

    La Reynie
    We are already working on that very enthusiastically. In place of The Abbe I have brought the preliminary interrogations you wished to see. (handing dossiers to the King) They compromised certain persons so much that I have proceeded to make immediate arrests. For those persons of greater importance, your Majesty, in consideration of their quality, must decide what to do with them.

    King
    Is there much to this case?

    La Reynie
    Alas, yes, Sire. Those whom we would hardly suspect are involved.

    King
    Sit down and let's see.

    (La Reynie sits.)

    La Reynie
    The number of women involved in this case is quite considerable.

    King
    Their weapon is poison.

    La Reynie
    The most compromised are as follows— (noise at door) Excuse me, Sire, someone is knocking at the door.

    King
    See!

    (La Reynie goes to the door and opens it.)

    La Reynie
    Monsieur de Tralage, my nephew.

    King
    Let him enter.

    (Hector enters and La Reynie closes the door.)

    Hector
    I bring this letter to His Majesty from Madame de Maintenon who requests a reply.

    King
    Give it here. (reading) This is amazing! The Abbe is under Madame de Maintenon's protection and wishes to see me. (to Hector) Bring him here right away.

    (Hector goes out.)

    La Reynie
    The Abbe is a remarkable man. We are about to touch on certain matters that are so unpleasant that Monsieur de Louvois was of the opinion that your Majesty should be spared.

    King
    Monsieur de Louvois is too zealous. I allow for no infractions of my orders. I told him, and it astonishes me to have to repeat it. I want the truth—the whole truth.

    La Reynie
    The Countess of Soissons, who fled this morning, before I could do anything—

    King
    Advised by me to get out of France. I thought she must be guilty. It is a weakness for which I may have to answer to God.

    La Reynie
    The Duchess de Bouillon and—

    King
    Go on.

    La Reynie
    The Marquise de Montespan.

    King
    Are you losing your mind?

    (La Reynie pushes an interrogation to the King. The King reads slowly,
    then lets out an exclamation.)

    King (shaking)
    It isn't possible. These are odious lies.

    La Reynie (tensely)
    Sire!

    (The King regains his control.)

    La Reynie
    We thought at first that all these swine were slandering her in order to hide behind her.

    King
    Indeed, it's very possible.

    La Reynie
    Unfortunately, Sire, that idea did not withstand examination.

    King
    Ring for an usher.

    La Reynie (ringing)
    Yes, Sire.

    (An usher appears immediately.)

    King
    Madame de Montespan is at her service with the Queen. I wish to speak to her at once.

    (The usher bows and glides out as noiselessly as he came.)

    La Reynie
    There is, moreover, a witness who confirmed these interrogations without knowing of them and who is not a suspect.

    King
    Let him come! Let him come!

    La Reynie (seeing the door at the right open)
    He's here.

    (Hector comes in with Griffard, then waits for orders.)

    King
    Chevalier, wait for my orders in that room, please.

    (The King points to a door at the left. Hector bows and goes out.)

    King (to Griffard)
    Come here, monsieur. (Griffard advances and bows) You are absolutely sure of what Monsieur de La Reynie has just told me. (watching him carefully)

    Griffard
    Had I the least doubt I would not dare to appear before your Majesty.

    King
    Take care not to make so grave an accusation without convincing proofs.

    Griffard
    I believe I have one which is irrefutable.

    King
    Tell me.

    Griffard
    It will have more force if given by Madame de Montespan herself.

    (An usher comes in and whispers to La Reynie.)

    La Reynie
    Madame de Montespan is here.

    King (to Griffard)
    Go there in the alcove by the window. Wait until I call you.

    (Griffard effectively disappears into the shadows. The King signals
    the usher to bring in La Montespan.)

    Madame de Montespan (entering, smiling)
    Your Majesty has called me?

    King
    Yes, Madame—about this affair of—poisoning.

    Madame de Montespan
    But, I thought Mademoiselle de Fontanges was just sick. That's what d'Aquin said. Madame d'Humieres didn't poison her, nor did anyone else.

    King
    True. But there's more to it. Look at these interrogatories, please.

    Madame de Montespan
    Huh? (she looks)

    King
    Yes.

    (Madame de Montespan reads, then breaks out in a loud laugh.)

    Madame de Montespan
    Oh! Oh! What silliness! (pointing to La Reynie) Is this the gentleman who brought you this nonsense?

    King (disgusted)
    You find it funny?

    Madame de Montespan
    You don't think I am going to take it tragically? (pushes the papers away) I have already had a visit from a certain Abbe, their accomplice, who wanted me to purchase his silence.

    King
    The Abbe Griffard perhaps?

    Madame de Montespan
    Perhaps. I don't have the honor of remembering his name.

    King
    And, what did this Abbe say?

    Madame de Montespan (gaily)
    Oh, some insanities. He said something about denouncing me to Monsieur de La Reynie. Didn't he tell you he saw me at this fortune teller's, where he supposedly saw me involved in I don't know what ceremony?

    La Reynie
    He told me that, in substance.

    Madame de Montespan (bitterly)
    And you let him say it?

    La Reynie
    My duty, Madame, is to listen.

    Madame de Montespan (haughtily)
    And as for me, Monsieur, I don't allow you to lend your ear to lies that dishonor me.

    King
    And I, Madame, do you allow me?

    Madame de Montespan (turning to the King)
    Your Majesty means?

    King
    I mean to know what's going on.

    Madame de Montespan
    You believe me capable—me? Me?

    King
    I will believe what is proper. If this priest lies, he will pay dearly, but if he speaks the truth—

    (The King signals La Reynie to introduce Griffard.)

    Madame de Montespan
    The truth? These horrors?

    King
    We are going to find out. Come in, monsieur.

    Madame de Montespan (turning)
    Here? This man! Your Majesty imposes the sight of this wretch on me?

    (Madame de Montespan falls into an armchair.)

    King
    You ought to be in a hurry, as I am, Madame, to confront him and prove your innocence.

    Madame de Montespan
    I refuse a test unworthy of me. This man is a bandit. That suffices. And I don't admit his word can be put in balance with mine.

    King
    And I, Madame, do not admit that anyone can accuse you falsely of such infamies without being punished.

    Madame de Montespan
    I won't lower myself to—

    King
    I beg you to be quiet.

    Madame de Montespan
    But, Sire.

    (Madame de Montespan rises, but at a look from the King, falls back
    into her seat.)

    Madame de Montespan
    Oh!

    King (to Griffard)
    Nearer, monsieur, nearer. You swear that Madame was present at the ceremony the other night?

    Griffard (simply)
    I swear it.

    Madame de Montespan
    Oh! Before me! He has the impudence.

    (A gesture of the King cuts off her words.)

    King
    You say you can prove what you say.

    Griffard
    As great a proof as your Majesty could wish.

    Madame de Montespan (affecting to laugh)
    Oh! Oh!

    King
    Give it.

    Griffard
    This morning, Sire, La Voisin's daughter brought to Mademoiselle Desoeillets certain powders to be given to Madame. (pointing to Madame de Montespan)

    Madame de Montespan
    That is false.

    Griffard (tranquilly, pointing to the dossier)
    The testimony of that girl is there.

    (Madame de Montespan looks at the dossier, then at Griffard.)

    Griffard
    These powders were concocted the night after the mass—

    Madame de Montespan (exasperated)
    Eh! What has that to do with me?

    King (cutting her off with a gesture)
    Go on!

    Griffard
    The same as Madame has had recourse to in years past to assure herself of the love of your Majesty.

    Madame de Montespan (rising, trying to attack Griffard)
    You lie, rogue. You lie!

    (A gesture from the King stops her in her tracks.)

    Griffard (tranquilly taking a step toward her)
    But what Madame is unaware of is that the friends of Monsieur Fouquet, no longer hoping for the King's mercy, have conspired with La Voisin to kill His Majesty and unknown to you, Madame, these powders were poisoned.

    King
    Good God!

    (Madame de Montespan is terrified. Griffard goes to the table and
    pours some lemonade into a goblet, and holds it in his hand.)

    Griffard
    La Voisin made a fool of you, Madame. She knew you would give these powders to the King, as you have in the past. Now, if all this is a lie, if La Voisin's daughter didn't bring these powders to you, if you were not the heroine of the other night and if, with the aid of your lackey, these powders were not placed by you in the King's lemonade— why then, everything I say is a lie and the King may drink without fear. (offers the glass to the King) But, if I am telling the truth— why, he's a dead man.

    King
    You hear, Madame?

    Madame de Montespan (wildly)
    Yes, yes, I hear.

    (The King takes the goblet from Griffard. Madame de Montespan leaps to
    stop him.)

    Madame de Montespan
    No—no—don't drink it, Louis!

    (Then, realizing she's completely given herself away, she falls
    sobbing into a chair.)

    King (to La Reynie and Griffard)
    Go there. (pointing to a door) Gentlemen, I beg you. Don't go away and return when I call.

    (La Reynie and Griffard bow and go toward the door.)

    La Reynie
    You win, my friend.

    Griffard (low)
    No. If the King weakens, my score is zero.

    (Exit La Reynie and Griffard.)

    King
    So, it's true? What this man says? What is written here? It's true? You went to this poisoner's house? You lent yourself to these ignoble practices! You wanted me to drink this filthy drink? It's true? Answer me, you stupid woman!

    Madame de Montespan (in a low voice, tearfully)
    But, it's all your fault. You are the one who forced me.

    (The King stares at her.)

    Madame de Montespan
    It's you! And, if I am guilty, you are more guilty than I am! Because of your betrayals, you made me despair and condemned me to such means to protect myself.

    King
    I? I forced you? I?

    Madame de Montespan (miserably)
    Haven't you been cruel enough! Haven't you humiliated me before those rivals that you produce every time I turn around and to whom I must smile? How many have there been? Your Fontanges! Your Maintenon! It's to keep you from them that I have had recourse to that woman. It's frightful! It's horrible. But you can't force me into committing a crime and not pardon me for having committed it from love of you.

    King
    Pardon what is written here! Read it! Read it! Forget that! I will always have those infamies before my eyes. Oh, yes, yes—it's really finished. I no longer have anything but scorn and disgust for you.

    Madame de Montespan
    Go on—say it. You are very glad to find a pretext to be free of me.

    King
    You call this a pretext?

    Madame de Montespan
    It will do to get rid of me, right? Like that bawling baby La Valliere who only knew how to weep.

    (Madame de Montespan stands up. She's angry.)

    King
    It doesn't become you to make fun of a woman I sacrificed to you. She really loved me. And in her distress, she didn't turn to the devil— she turned to God.

    Madame de Montespan
    To whom you consigned her willingly enough.

    (This barb hits the King.)

    Madame de Montespan
    I suppose you want me to go to a cloister like her, right?

    King
    It would be better for your sins.

    Madame de Montespan
    And yours! (sitting down again) But don't count on it. I am not resigned, not a penitent. I don't see myself as a nun.

    (She turns her back to him.)

    King
    No. You're ambitions, egoistic and vain. And you never loved anything in me except the King.

    Madame de Montespan (waving a hand)
    Oh, Louis. You know that is not true. As for my pride—

    King
    Yes. Let's talk about that.

    Madame de Montespan (swiftly)
    Let's talk about yours instead. People must adore you like a god!

    King
    The god was human enough for you and provided you with a good life.

    Madame de Montespan (without even looking at him)
    A good life! Mine? A peasant woman can trust her man better than I can trust your royal word of honor! You are the most egotistical man alive. And all you ever say to any complaint is: “I don't want to be disturbed.” (mimicking him)

    King
    Infected by your execrable perfumes.

    Madame de Montespan
    Don't slander my perfumes. You are very ungrateful. Madame de Maintenon will tell you just the same as I do.

    King
    There is nothing between her and me, as you think.

    Madame de Montespan
    You haven't done it yet? So she is still holding you off and dangling the sugar plum in your face? But the hour is coming when she will tell you—eyes raised to heaven—that she's decided to do it for your salvation.

    King
    The accomplice of La Voisin is welcome to outrage an honest woman.

    Madame de Montespan
    Oh, surely you won't call her a Bacchante as you did me. Oh, no! She is reason itself. No temperament, no heart. She loves with a pious love, totally confined to devotion and chaste transports authorized by the Church.

    King
    Shut up!

    Madame de Montespan (arms crossed defiantly)
    And then, the widow of Scarron will sugar your tea and clean your bed. Old libertines always end up with chamber maids.

    King (in a rage, going toward her)
    Shut up! Shut up!

    Madame de Montespan
    And she's clever enough to convince you her husband left her hymen still intact. And her lover, too.

    King (threatening)
    This is too much.

    Madame de Montespan (tranquilly)
    Don't shout so loud. They'll think you are beating me!

    King (calming down)
    Tomorrow you will leave the court.

    Madame de Montespan
    Me?

    King
    And you will live in a retreat I will choose for you.

    Madame de Montespan
    Exile me—shut me up in some province—you are joking.

    King (cold and resolved)
    You will leave, I tell you—tomorrow.

    Madame de Montespan
    Not tomorrow, not ever!

    King
    I know how to make you.

    Madame de Montespan
    I defy you!

    King
    Oh!

    (The King goes to ring.)

    Madame de Montespan
    I defy you to do it. You will kick me out like a servant—the mother of your children!

    (The King stops, his hand on the bell.)

    Madame de Montespan
    You wouldn't dare create such a scandal. You will smother this affair. You will burn these papers.

    King
    No.

    Madame de Montespan (continuing)
    And I will stay at the palace with my rank, my title, my wealth. We are finished, you and I. But I will keep my crown. We've already had one Queen at this court. Now there will be two—that's all. Go to your duenna and do penance with her for the pleasures you once had with me. And regret them!

    King (ringing)
    Remorse yes, regrets no. (to the usher who appears) Light the way for Madame.

    Madame de Montespan
    Good night.

    (Madame de Montespan exits. The King rings again. Griffard, La Reynie
    and Hector return.)

    King
    Come in, gentlemen. (beckons to La Reynie to whom he speaks in a low voice) Does Mademoiselle D'Ormoize know who was really at that mass?

    La Reynie
    She is completely ignorant of it, as is my nephew.

    King
    Who offered to marry her, you told me?

    La Reynie
    Yes, Sire.

    King
    Let him come here. We have seen the light, Chevalier, Mademoiselle D'Ormoize is innocent.

    Hector
    Ah, Sire! How nice for her and for me. Pardon—I forget myself.

    King
    Not at all! Not at all! (writes an order) Your joy pleases me. This order is for her release. You may take it yourself if you like.

    Hector
    Will your Majesty allow me to proceed at once?

    King
    Yes, go, go! (Hector bows and moves toward the door) But, I owe her reparation. I shall give her a large dowry. Tomorrow you will present her to Madame de Maintenon.

    Hector
    Oh, Sire, how many kindnesses.

    (Hector leaves.)

    King (to La Reynie)
    That leaves only one witness—this priest—who is one too many.

    La Reynie (uneasy)
    Ah, Sire, he is your saviour.

    King (motioning to Griffard to come close)
    Monsieur, you know too many things of which you ought to be unaware.

    Griffard (in the most natural tone)
    Me, Sire? I know nothing.

    King (surprised)
    Huh?

    Griffard
    But, nothing at all. Absolutely nothing!

    King
    That's the way to talk, monsieur. Don't depart from that and we'll discuss the price of your ignorance.

    Griffard
    My liberty, Sire, is sufficient.

    King
    To your taste! Not mine.

    Griffard
    Well, since your Majesty has the goodness to insist, a small, small office in the Royal Library would answer my wishes.

    King
    You shall have it. The best. And I don't consider myself quits with you. (to La Reynie as he starts to leave) Tomorrow morning, monsieur, to burn what is there. (pointing to the dossier) Good night, gentlemen.

    (The King exits. Griffard and La Reynie look at each other. Griffard falls into a chair while La Reynie collects the papers.)

    Griffard
    Ouf!

    CURTAIN