Maria (the maid—behind the scenes). Michiel, where are you? [Entering.] He is lazy enough for a member of the Brussels Committee. Michiel, get up!
Michiel (awaking). Well, what’s up now?
Maria. Wake up, at any rate! Isn’t it perfectly scandalous to lie there, at seven o’clock in the evening, snoring like an ox?
Michiel. Does that hurt any one?
Maria. Is there no work to do then?
Michiel. That won’t amount to much. Travellers won’t give us any trouble, it’s not worth their while to cross the frontier just now; and the farmers have their money under lock and key, and not a cent about them to take a dram with.
Maria. Is there nothing else for you to do? Couldn’t you take your rifle, in your spare time, and drill a little? Everybody is drilling just now; there isn’t a child but can load at twelve different rates. And you, of all others, ought to be ready to give an account of yourself when the rebels come to pay us a visit. People on the frontier, if no others, ought to be always in readiness.
Michiel. Well! you’ve got hold of that sentiment by the wrong end. Let me tell you the right way of it.
Maria. Do you know that you deserve to be hanged, with such infamous principles as that?
Michiel. Why, it’s just to escape hanging that I want to put them into practice, as our schoolmaster says.
Maria. Our schoolmaster used to say you were an ignorant ass; but I see that at any rate you have remembered something.
Michiel. He shall be sorry, one of these days, for having spoken of me in that way. But, never mind that, I have a good idea.
Maria. A fine one, I expect!
Michiel. Just listen. We cannot help it if one party or the other wants to annex us; so we must try and keep friends with both, and make each of them believe we are on their side. Now, I’ve asked the house-painter for a couple of pots of paint: there they are. You say I never carry anything out; now you shall just see.
Maria. Well—and then?
Michiel. Why, you see, the Orange flag is still on the church tower?
Maria. Yes; and if you dare to touch it, I’ll scratch your eyes out!
Michiel. My idea was to paint it with the Brabant colours on the side towards Brabant. If the Dutch come from the north—very good! they see the Orange flag. If the Brabanters come from the south—very good too! they’ll see their own colours.
Maria. Well, that’s a nice invention!
Michiel. Isn’t it? I think they ought to give me a prize out of the village treasury; for in this way I am saving every one from embarrassment.
Maria. But you’ve forgotten one thing!
Michiel. Forgotten! What’s that?
Maria. When the wind changes, the Brabanters will see Orange, and the Dutch the Brabant colours; and then, perhaps, both of them will bombard the village, and you in it—which would not be the worst loss of all.
Michiel. That’s true; I never thought of that. But, after all, is there no contrivance to prevent that? With a rope, for instance?
Maria. You’re a nice politician! It doesn’t do to forget that the wind may change. So leave politics alone for the future, or I’ll tell the master what sort of fellow you are.
Michiel. Would you go and tell tales, just because I have a little more sense than the master? He will get us all into trouble before he’s done, because he can’t give and take.
Maria. Then both of you taken together ought to make a man after your own heart. If you ask any of the poor people hereabouts, they will tell you whether or not he knows how to give; and if you were in his place, you would certainly do nothing but take.
Michiel. Yes; having is having, but getting’s the trick! Much good has the master done himself, with all his giving away. Then you have the King; what numbers of people he has helped out of his own pocket-money! And what has he gained by it? Nothing! They are breaking his window-panes with his own three-guilder pieces!
Maria. Would you follow the example of such ungrateful wretches?
Michiel. Just now the question is, What pays best? And if we are ever to be man and wife, it will surely be necessary to scrape a little money together first, if we want to live like decent people.
Maria. We man and wife! You may make your mind easy on that point!
Michiel. It’s not to be? Very good—you’ll change your mind some day, and come asking me on your bare knees to make you my wife,—some day when I’m a great lord, just like the man with the whale,[27] who is now a general among the Brabanters.
Maria. If being a fool and a scoundrel is enough to give a man high rank among the rebels, you will have plenty of chances; but I won’t talk to you any more.
Michiel. Have you anything more to say? Because, if not, I’ll go to sleep again.
Maria. Nothing but this, that for the present, not being a general as yet, you might go to Peter Kluisken’s and fetch the pig that the master has bought.
Michiel. A nice little job! To tramp all that way at this time of night, and in the direction of the Belgian sentinels, too. Well, just you look out; if I meet them, I bring them here—upon my word I will.
Maria (alone). The scoundrel! He is quite capable of doing it. And he expects to marry me? Not if I know it.
Maria. Well, sir, what’s the news?
Nicolaas. Good news, my girl. A division of our brave North Netherlanders is marching this way; perhaps they may even pass through this village.
Maria. That would be a pleasure. I wish some of them would stay here, then the brigands, who yesterday were only a few miles from this place, would never dare to show themselves.
Nicolaas. I think they will keep pretty quiet for the future.
Maria. Are there any more news in the paper, sir?
Nicolaas. H’m! h’m! not so fast, child. [Glances over the paper.] They do not seem to have made up their minds yet at Brussels whom they are going to have at the head of the Government.
Maria. I can quite believe that; and I don’t think there are many men very eager to undertake the management of such a confused state of affairs.
Nicolaas. They may seek long enough, the ungrateful hounds, before they find another ruler under whom they will be as happy as they were under our good old King.
Maria. Any news besides, sir?
Nicolaas. Do let me read in peace.... H’m! yes; they are complaining of scarcity in all the Belgian towns.
Maria. Of course they are. They may hate the Dutch, but they’ll find they can’t get on without Dutch money. What other news is there?
Nicolaas. The Powers have resolved to keep to the non-intervention system.
Maria. Non-intervention! what’s that? It must be a fine thing whatever it is; every one is talking about it.
Nicolaas. Well, how can I best explain it? It means ... not to meddle with other people’s affairs. For instance, if your neighbour comes and asks you to help him because his house is on fire, and you tell him to put it out himself, for it’s no affair of yours,—that’s non-intervention. But listen ... I hear the sound of horses’ hoofs. Who can it be?
A voice outside. Does the burgomaster live here?
Nicolaas. Coming!
“JUST COME IN, LIEUTENANT.”
Maria (looking out). Lancers! lancers!
Edeling. I want to speak to the burgomaster. Does he live here?
Nicolaas. Just come in, Lieutenant. Come in, gentlemen, I am very glad to see you. What will your honour take? Maria, run to the cellar, there’s a good girl, and bring up a bottle of the best.
Edeling. Not for me, thanks; I don’t want anything. My time is short, and so are my orders.
Nicolaas. I won’t listen to a word before the gentlemen have had some refreshment.
Edeling. I do not care for useless compliments. I am commissioned to buy some cattle here, and bring them at once to headquarters. How many head can you let me have, and at what price, to be paid in cash at once?
Nicolaas. We will see. (To Maria.) Is Michiel back yet?
Maria. He is only just gone out.
Nicolaas. Then you will have to do the errand. Run at once to Peter Slof and Cornelis de Ruyter, and ask them to come here at once. I want to see them about a cattle contract. Well, what are you dawdling for?
Maria. Because—because——[Looks at the lancers.] I’m so glad! [Runs out.]
Nicolaas (offering wine). Come, just one glass!
Edeling. If you insist. (Suspiciously.) Are you not going to drink too, Burgomaster? (Drinks.) What’s to pay?
Nicolaas. Who’s talking about payment? Haven’t I even a glass of wine to spare for our brave defenders?
Edeling. Well, but you’re an innkeeper. Take these two guilders and put them in your pocket, for it’s against orders for us to get anything on credit.
Nicolaas. And I say I won’t have the money. I can be obstinate enough, too, when I once begin. Take it, and give it to the Government as a voluntary subscription on my part. You don’t trust me, Lieutenant, and that grieves me to the heart. I see I shall have to put on my Sunday coat; perhaps that will give you more confidence. [Fetches a coat, with a medal on it, and puts it on. The lancers salute.] Now, do I look like a man who would betray you? I won that at Waterloo.
Edeling. Forgive me for suspecting you; but so many of your class, especially on the frontier, have turned out traitors, that suspicion has become a disagreeable duty. What is the general feeling in this village?
Nicolaas. Not what it ought to be. I fear that, if the rebels were to arrive, there are those, here and there, who would join them. It seems as though people were struck with blindness; they want change at any price. They have let themselves be persuaded that they will have no taxes to pay under the Brabant Government. That’s the worst of the people here; they are stupid, they don’t reason.
Edeling. They don’t know any better, I suppose. Do you think your friends will be here soon?
Nicolaas. Presently, I hope. Your honour seems to be in a hurry. Is it far to headquarters?
Edeling. A couple of hours. We are to march again at daybreak to-morrow. I am sorry we are not going farther, for I fear we shall not meet any of the enemy. I would willingly have paid them a visit.
Nicolaas. You are very eager for fighting.
Edeling. Particularly so; for, besides my wish to do my duty by my king and country, I have a private account to settle with the gentlemen from the south. They are keeping my bride a prisoner.
Nicolaas. Your bride! I thought women, at least, would have been respected.
Edeling. Her father is a well-known soldier; when the first disturbances broke out in the place where he was in command, he gave orders to fire on the rebels. They never forgave him, and when he had the misfortune to fall into their hands they kept him in prison—his daughter refusing to leave him.
Maria. Here come Peter Slof and Cornelis de Ruyter.
Nicolaas. Very good! Shall we go to meet them, and look at their beasts together?
Edeling. Willingly. Thank you for doing the errand (to Maria.), and here is something to remember the Lieutenant by. [Gives her money, and exit with Nicolaas.]
Maria (alone). A guilder! Well, I’ll keep that as a remembrance. A nice man that lieutenant! One can see he comes from Holland. But who are these strangers coming in so timidly?
Van Werve. Can we get a night’s lodging here?
Maria. Please don’t take it ill of me, I must ask first where your honour comes from? We can’t take any one in for the night without first knowing who it is we are sheltering.
Van Werve. I will answer your question to the Burgomaster. Where does he live? and can I speak to him?
Maria. He lives here. The Burgomaster and the landlord are the same person. The master will be home directly.
Clara. Will you please tell us what province we are in?
Maria. In North Brabant, Mejuffrouw.
Clara. Thank Heaven! then you are safe, father!
Maria. Safe! Then you are refugees?
Van Werve. Clara!
Clara. I was imprudent, father—forgive me. But I could not control my joy at finding myself once more in our own country, after all that we have gone through.
Van Werve. I am not yet sure that we are safe here.
Clara. If we had anything to fear here, I feel sure, from this girl’s honest face, that she would not betray us.
Maria. I betray you! I’d sooner die a thousand times over. But come and sit down—you seem tired.
Clara. It is true, we have been walking for a long time, and I begin to feel it.
Van Werve. My dear child, what a difficult and anxious journey you have exposed yourself to, to save your father. (To Maria.) Yes, my good girl, I have been in prison,—my daughter has succeeded in saving me, and it is to her courage and devotion I owe it that we have been able to pass the enemy’s outposts and reach this village.
Maria. It’s lucky you just happened to come to-day. A few Dutch soldiers arrived not long ago, who will be quite ready to escort you to a safe place, if you prefer not to stay here any longer.
Van Werve. My comrades! Oh, where are they? Take me to them.
Maria. I will call them,—or—wait—I think I hear them coming.
Maria. What, alone, Lieutenant? Where are the rest?
Edeling. They have gone on with the oxen. I found I had left my cloak here. But whom do I see?
Van Werve. The voice seems familiar.
Clara (hastens to him). Edeling!
Edeling. Clara!—Mijnheer van Werve!...
Van Werve. So you’ve enlisted, Edeling? Well done, my boy! That is what I should have expected of a true-born Dutchman like yourself!
Edeling. Your words remind me that I am no longer my own master. I am expected every minute at the camp.
Clara. Cannot we go with you?
Edeling. I have only my horse; but perhaps there is a conveyance of some sort to be had in the village.
Maria. Oh! three if you like. I will go at once to order one.
Van Werve. Stop a moment, girl. I—alas!—I have no money to pay for a conveyance.
Edeling. Here is my purse—but I really must go.
Van Werve (putting back the purse). I must not accept it. I can never return it. I possess nothing now.
Edeling. Nothing?
Van Werve. Not a cent. The little ready money we had with us we have been obliged to spend on the road; and this morning I had the misfortune, to leave behind——
Edeling. Well?
Van Werve. My portmanteau, with my whole fortune in it, at the village where we stopped for the night.
Maria. Well, portmanteau or no portmanteau, you will have to drive, and I’m going to fetch the carriage.
Van Werve. It was no carelessness on our part; the pursuers were at our heels—we had no time to save anything but ourselves.
Edeling. And isn’t it enough for me to see you safe, sir, you and my Clara? Is not everything I have yours? Take my purse. As soon as you can get a vehicle, follow me as quickly as you can, for I must not delay one moment longer.
Maria. Save yourselves, for Heaven’s sake! save yourselves! they’re coming!
Omnes. Who? What? [A noise outside.]
Maria. The brigands! Don’t you hear them? They’re shouting, “Vive de liberteyt!”
Edeling (draws his pistols). The first who dares——
Maria (seizes him by the arm). Are you mad? What is the good of your pistols against a whole band? Quick! out at the back door. (To Van Werve and Clara.) And you—into this room! I’ll come back to you in a minute.
Edeling. But if——
Maria (pushes him out at a side door). No buts! make haste!
Van Werve. Can’t we follow him?
Maria. Certainly not. He is a young fellow, and can take care of himself. Three of you would arouse suspicion, and perhaps lead to mischief if he tried to defend you. Just come in here. [Opens the door of a room on one side.]
Clara. We leave our fate in your hands.
Enter Michiel, bringing with him a number of Belgian volunteers, among whom Captain D’Eglantiers, Lieutenant Taelinck, Sergeant Pluckx, Corporal Nestiers, and Private Passereau. They speak the broad Flemish or South Netherlands dialect, largely interspersed with French words. On entering, all of them, including Michiel, sing, to the air of “La Dame Blanche”—
Maria. Well, they do look like lunatics; and there’s that villain of a Michiel with them.
D’Eglantiers (wiping his sword). The victory is ours, comrades! Our courage has repulsed the enemy, and maintained the glory of our name. Lieutenant Taelinck, see that none of the Hollanders escape who are hidden away here, do you hear?
Taelinck. I have seen to that, Captain. All the exits are well guarded.
Maria (aside). The poor quarter-master! how will he escape?
Michiel. What will the gentlemen please to take? Everything in the house is at your service.
Maria. Just listen to the contemptible rascal?
D’Eglantiers (to Michiel). You’re a fine fellow! Just let the lass fetch a litre of wine from the cellar.
Michiel. Do you hear? Fetch wine for the gentlemen.
Maria (treading on his toes as she goes out). You villainous traitor!
D’Eglantiers (to Michiel). Do you live in the house?
Michiel. I live here, Captain. (Aside.) I need not tell him in what capacity.
D’Eglantiers. You are a brave citoyen! Without you, we should never have found the way to this village so soon. I think I might make you Burgomaster.
Michiel. Indeed you couldn’t do better, Captain. I will at once give orders to have the Brabant flag hoisted.
[He is about to leave the room.]
D’Eglantiers. There’s no need of that. It’s obscur out of doors, and one can’t very well distinguish the colours. But I’ll tell you what to do. Go at once and fetch the notables of the village, and tell them to come here to-morrow with the first lumière to hold a meeting of the council. Corporal Nestiers, go along with the Burgomaster, and whoever does not come with you at once, de bonne volonté, you must bring him by force; for liberty must triumph.
Michiel (aside). Michiel, Burgomaster!
D’Eglantiers (sits down). I shall make my headquarters here provisionally. Let’s see—what has to be done now?...
D’Eglantiers. Ahem!—reports ... but who is to write them? Lieutenant Taelinck, can you write?
Taelinck. No, Captain.
D’Eglantiers. Why are you a lieutenant then?
Taelinck. But you can’t do it either, Captain—or read, for that matter.
D’Eglantiers. Silence! I’m a captain to give orders, not to write. Sergeant Pluckx, can you write?
Pluckx. Not I—but there’s Private Passereau, he knows how.
Passereau. Plaît-il?
D’Eglantiers. I’m asking if you can write.
Passereau. Verdikke![28] eh?
D’Eglantiers. If you can write—don’t you understand?
Passereau. Je n’entends pas—verdikke!
Pluckx. Verdikke is the only word of Flemish that Passereau knows.
D’Eglantiers. So he can’t write Flemish. (To Maria.) Can you write, my girl?
Maria. At your service, Captain.
D’Eglantiers. That’s curious! Sit down here, then, and write as I dictate.
Maria (sits down at the table—aside). What an idea!... Yes, I think it will do!
D’Eglantiers. Write: Report....
Nestiers. Captain, here is a fellow who has been rebelling against us.
D’Eglantiers. Well—what has he been doing?
Nestiers. He forcibly resisted our entrance into an écurie in which there was a lancer’s horse standing.
D’Eglantiers. And where was the lancer who sat on the horse?
Nestiers. He is nowhere to be found.
D’Eglantiers. Well—just look through the whole village till you find him.
D’Eglantiers (to Nicolaas). Who are you?
Nicolaas. I am the Burgomaster.
D’Eglantiers. The ex-burgomaster! I have put another burgomaster in your place—do you understand? But if you will make your soumission to the Committee, then, perhaps....
Nicolaas. Never!
D’Eglantiers. What!—do you know that I can have you fusillé?
Nicolaas. So you may, if you like!
D’Eglantiers. What do you say? Stop where you are—I shall have a word to speak with you presently—do you understand? (To Maria.) Write!
Nicolaas. What! Maria, are you giving this scoundrel any help?
Maria. Why not? The gentleman was in such trouble because he could not find any one able to write.
D’Eglantiers. Well—now let us just look at it. H’m that’s written very cleverly. Now for the proclamation. Another sheet of paper! Write: Proclamation! Have you written that sentence?
Maria. Yes—what next?
D’Eglantiers. We, Captain d’Eglantiers and Lieutenant Taelinck,—to all who are about to read these presents—salutation!
Maria (writing). To all who are able to read these presents....
D’Eglantiers. About to read, I said! Fellow-citizens! we are bringing you la liberté. We have risked our life-blood to procure it for you: we also hope that you will show yourselves reconnaissants.... Hey! now what do you say to such a sentence as that? That’s what I call eloquence!
Maria. Undoubtedly! That is very neatly said, Captain.
D’Eglantiers. I see you’re a girl of taste and intelligence. Go on—and that you are to give us ... give us ... everything that is necessary. Well, that’s short and to the point, isn’t it?
Maria. A very fine style, and any one can understand what is meant at the very first reading.
D’Eglantiers (gratified). Can’t they just?
Maria. Now you’re going to sign both papers, aren’t you, Captain?
D’Eglantiers. Yes; I’ll put a little cross to them—that’s my mark. Lieutenant Taelinck, are you going to sign them too?
Taelinck (half asleep). Yes, yes. [They sign.]
D’Eglantiers. Now the report must be enclosed in an envelope, and sent to the General, and the proclamation will be posted up to-morrow.
[Maria hastily hides the signed paper in her dress, and folds another, which she hands to D’Eglantiers.]
Maria. Here you are, Captain. (Aside.) I have it all right.
D’Eglantiers (hands the paper to Private Passereau). Get on your horse at once, and take this paper to the General.
Passereau. Verdikke! Dans la nuit——
D’Eglantiers. Go at once! [Exit Passereau.] Well, that’s finished. Now I’ll go and get an hour or two’s sleep. You’ll call me, my good girl, when the council is assembled, won’t you?
Maria. Yes; and in the meantime I will go and post up the proclamation.
D’Eglantiers (takes it hastily from her, and puts it into his pocket). No; I must first read it out, or have it read, to the council. Now, where is my bedroom?
[He is about to go into Van Werve’s room.]
Maria (quickly). No, not there. The left-hand door, sir.
[Points to a door on the opposite side.]
Nicolaas (aside). I don’t understand it. Why does she want to put that fellow into my bedroom? (Aloud.) Maria, are you mad! the other room is——
Maria (interrupting him quickly). Just suited to a prisoner.
D’Eglantiers (pointing to Nicolaas). Then he must be put in there.
Nicolaas. But——
Maria (quickly, aside to Nicolaas). Leave it to me!
D’Eglantiers. Good-night! (Turning to the Volunteers.) If Nestiers comes with the portmanteau, tell him to bring it into my room. Do you hear?
[Nicolaas goes into the room in which Van Werve and Clara are hidden, while Maria takes a candle and shows D’Eglantiers into the left-hand bedroom.]
Taelinck (crouching over the fire). B-rrr! it’s famously cold!
Pluckx. I believe you! The Government really ought to provide us with better clothing.
Taelinck. That’s just the beauty of liberty, that every one has to look out for himself.
Pluckx. And that’s just what I mean to do, so soon as that girl comes back.
Edeling (appears in the doorway and looks in). These fellows are everywhere! I am caught in a trap.
Pluckx. But just tell us now, Lieutenant, who is supposed to be governing us at the present moment? for every day I hear of a fresh sovereign, who has been recommended to us.
Taelinck. Who is governing us? Why, Liberty!
Pluckx. I shan’t be sorry to see some change, then; for I haven’t yet seen the colour of Liberty’s money. I think the lass must be very hard up.
Maria (aside). Is this rabble going to stay here all right?
Pluckx. I say, my girl, look here. Have you got a blanket or rug you could let me have?
Maria. What for?
Pluckx. You’ll soon see that—comprenez?
Maria. I have; if you will be sure to give it back.
Pluckx. Oh! you shall have it back soon.
Maria (takes a blanket out of a chest). Here is one; but you shall not have it, unless you give me your tunic as a pledge that you will return it.
Pluckx. Come, none of that chatter!
Maria. Gently, gently! You have seen that the Captain lets me write his proclamations for him. Nothing would be easier than for me to put in a word against you, if you don’t behave yourselves.
Taelinck. The girl is right, Pluckx.
Pluckx. Well, here’s my sarrau, then! It’s not a bad exchange. [He gives his tunic to Maria, and cuts three slits in the blanket.]
Maria. What’s that for?
Pluckx. A new-fashioned overcoat for the winter. [Puts his head and arms through the slits. All laugh except Maria.]
Maria. Well, as you’ve spoilt my blanket for me, you shall not have your tunic back either.
Nestiers. Come, men, here are your billets; and here (laying it on the floor) is the Captain’s portmanteau.
Pluckx. You mean the portmanteau that the Captain looted this morning.
Maria and Edeling (aside). Is it possible?
Taelinck. Well, be quick and give out your billets. I’m going to stay here. I suppose there’s a second bed in the Captain’s room?
Maria. Surely.
Taelinck. Allons donc! Right-about march! Place a sentry outside the front door, and see that no one goes in or out without permission from the Captain or me.
[Goes into D’Eglantiers’ room with the portmanteau. The others retire. Enter Edeling, to whom Maria hands Passereau’s tunic, in which he escapes.]
Act II.
Middle of night. D’Eglantiers alone with the portmanteau under his arm and a candlestick in his hand.
D’Eglantiers. I see they’ve brought me the portmanteau. Let’s seize the golden moment, while old Taelinck lies snoring like an ox, to inspect the contents a bit. [Breaks the lock, and rummages through the portmanteau, taking out a necktie or some similar article, which he puts on.] What do I see? This seems to be a handsome capture! And I’ll be hanged if these are not Government bonds! Ma foi! Now I’m a rich man, and can let the service slide with an easy mind! I shall lose nothing by resigning—no one ever got his pay out of a Provisional Government! However, we must keep a sharp look-out, and not let any of my comrades find out what has been in here! All honest fellows, no doubt, but suffering from the same complaint as myself! Where shall I hide the packets? The portmanteau won’t lock now; and, besides, several of them have seen it already.
[Remains standings with the bonds in his hands. Enter Maria.]
Maria. Up already, Captain?
D’Eglantiers (starts, and tries to hide the papers). What,—what is it?
Maria (aside). That’s the portmanteau in question. (Aloud.) Nothing, Captain; I came to see if you wanted anything.
D’Eglantiers. Nothing! or,—wait! (Looking at her attentively. Aside.) The girl seems trustworthy ... otherwise ... yes, I suppose that will be best!
Maria (aside). What is he considering with himself?
D’Eglantiers. My good girl, I have here some of the army reports; could you tell me of a safe place, where no one comes poking and prying round, and where I can cacher them in safety till my departure?
Maria (aside). He’s running into the trap of his own accord. (To D’Eglantiers, pointing to the cupboard.) Shall I hide them in here, under the house linen? But in that case you must give your men orders not to go about plundering my cupboards.
D’Eglantiers. I’ll promise you that, but just open it.
[Maria opens the cupboard; D’Eglantiers hides the bonds inside it.]
Maria. I think, Captain, that packet must contain something more than reports and general orders!
D’Eglantiers. No, it really does not, by——
Maria. Well, I’ll believe you; so you need not swear about it. But it looked to me rather like bonds. [Locks the cupboard, and is about to put the key in her pocket, but D’Eglantiers prevents her.]
D’Eglantiers. Stop! I keep that key, do you hear?
Maria. Do you, sir? they’re bonds! Otherwise you would not be so much afraid of losing them!
D’Eglantiers. Yes, if that were true——
Maria. Then you wouldn’t be captain of a volunteer company, would you?
D’Eglantiers. No, certainly not!
Maria. No, if you were only rich, you’d already be a Member of Congress,—perhaps even of the Provisional Government....
D’Eglantiers. Yes; I do really think, if I were richer——
Maria. Not a doubt about it! A man of your talents and your eloquence would certainly have reached a high rank at Brussels, but for the want of means.
D’Eglantiers. You’re flattering me; but, after all, think of the numbers of conceited fools that have been elected to Congress! They do nothing but talk and mismanage matters.
Maria. I really think that you ought to be there, sir. It’s quite a mistake your not going! Brussels is the only place fit for you.
D’Eglantiers. I tell you once more, you’re a flatterer; but I promise you one thing,—as soon as I’ve hoisted the Brabant flag on the church tower of this village, I’ll go to Brussels and ask for my discharge.
Maria (aside). A pleasant journey to you,—so long as the bonds remain here!