Publisher's Synopsis
ACT I.-SCENE I. A room in the house of M. DESCHAPPELLES, at Lyons. PAULINE reclining on a sofa; MARIAN, her maid, fanning her-Flowers and notes on a table beside the sofa-MADAME DESCHAPPELLES seated-The gardens are seen from the open window. Mme. Deschap. Marian, put that rose a little more to the left.-[MARIAN alters the position of a rose in PAULINE's hair.]-Ah, so!-that improves the hair, -the tournure, the j'e ne sais quoi!-You are certainly very handsome, child!-quite my style;-I don't wonder that you make such a sensation!-Old, young, rich, and poor, do homage to the Beauty of Lyons!-Ah, we live again in our children, -especially when they have our eyes and complexion! Pauline [languidly]. Dear mother, you spoil your Pauline!-[Aside.] I wish I knew who sent me these flowers! Mme. Deschap. No, child!-If I praise you, it is only to inspire you with a proper ambition.-You are born to make a great marriage.-Beauty is valuable or worthless according as you invest the property to the best advantage. Marian, go and order the carriage! [Exit MARIAN. Pauline. Who can it be that sends me, every day, these beautiful flowers?-how sweet they are! Enter Servant. Servant. Monsieur Beauseant, Madam. Mme. Deschap. Let him enter. Pauline, this is another offer!-I know it is!-Your father should engage an additional clerk to keep the account-book of your conquests. Enter BEAUSEANT. Beau. Ah, ladies how fortunate I am to find you at home!-[Aside.] How lovely she looks!-It is a great sacrifice I make in marrying into a family in trade!-they will be eternally grateful!-[Aloud.] Madam, you will permit me a word with your charming daughter.-[Approaches PAULINE, who rises disdainfully.]-Mademoiselle, I have ventured to wait upon you, in a hope that you must long since have divined. Last night, when you outshone all the beauty of Lyons, you completed your conquest over me! You know that my fortune is not exceeded by any estate in the province, -you know that, but for the Revolution, which has defrauded me of my titles, I should be noble. May I, then, trust that you will not reject my alliance? I offer you my hand and heart. Pauline [aside.] He has the air of a man who confers a favor!-[Aloud.] Sir, you are very condescending-I thank you humbly; but, being duly sensible of my own demerits, you must allow me to decline the honor you propose. [Curtsies, and turns away.