MUREL: Precisely! It is on that very point that the people judge you as not being sufficiently republican in your ideas.
ROUSSELIN: I am more so than Gruchet, however, and I have recommended — but perhaps I ought to announce it in the public prints — the lowering of customs duties and of town taxes.
MUREL: Bravo!
ROUSSELIN: I ask frankly of the municipal powers for a better organising of juries; for the liberty of the press; and for the abolishing of all sinecure offices, and also of all titles of nobility.
MUREL: Very fine!
ROUSSELIN: I have also been urgent in the cause of universal suffrage. Does that surprise you? Nevertheless, that is my policy. To our new prefect, who supports the other side, I have written three letters, as a warning. I have, indeed! And I am ready to meet him face to face — even to insult him, if necessary. Tell that to your workmen!
MUREL [aside]: Can he be speaking seriously?
ROUSSELIN: YOU see, then, that in preferring Gruchet to me — because, I repeat, he boasts that he has your support — he has told it all over town!
MUREL: How do you know that I shall vote for him?
ROUSSELIN: Eh?
MUREL: In politics I hold fast to my own opinions. Now, his views seem to my mind not quite so progressive as yours. We must wait a bit. All is not over yet.
ROUSSELIN: Indeed, it is not all over, but I don't know what more I can do to please the electors. And I am greatly surprised to find that I have been so misunderstood by a man of your intelligence.
MUREL: YOU overwhelm me!
ROUSSELIN: I have no doubt as to the success of your career in the future.
MUREL: Indeed! Well, in that case —
ROUSSELIN: Proceed!
MUREL: Well, then, to meet confidence with confidence, I have a little confession to make to you. I did agree to help Gruchet after you had refused my request for your daughter's hand, and I own that I acted under the influence of anger.
ROUSSELIN [pats Murel on the shoulder]: ALL the better! That proves you have spirit.
MUREL: I cursed you as much as I adored your daughter.
ROUSSELIN: YOU dear boy! [Takes Murel's hand] Ah, your leaving me hurt me deeply!
MUREL: Seriously, Monsieur, if I cannot have Louise I shall die of grief!
ROUSSELIN: NO, no! you must not die.
MUREL: YOU will give me some hope?
ROUSSELIN: After examination and mature reflection, your personal standing appears rather more advantageous than I thought when you first mentioned the matter to me.
MUREL: More advantageous?
ROUSSELIN: Yes, for besides your thirty thousand francs of salary —
MUREL [timidly]: Twenty thousand.
ROUSSELIN: Thirty thousand! — and a share in the stock of the company — there is your aunt to be considered, since you are her heir.
MUREL: Yes — with another nephew, a soldier.
ROUSSELIN: A soldier, eh? Well, there are always chances of — [Makes gesture as if firing a gun] The Bedouins! [Laughs]
MUREL [laughs]: Yes, yes, you are right! All women, even when they are old, change their minds very quickly, and my aunt is certainly capricious. But seriously, I have recently heard that she speaks very kindly of me sometimes.
ROUSSELIN [aside]: If that were only true! [Aloud] Well, dear boy, come around here this evening after dinner, and stand near my house, but don't appear as if you were looking for me. [Exit]
SCENE V.
MUREL: Come here this evening! That is rather encouraging — it is almost a consent. Arabella was right. [Enter Gruchet]
GRUCHET: Here I am! I have not lost time. What news? Tell me quickly.
MUREL: Gruchet, have you reflected seriously upon the matter you are considering?
GRUCHET: Why do you ask that?
MUREL: It is no light responsibility to be a deputy.
GRUCHET: I believe you!
MUREL: YOU will bring down upon yourself all sorts of scheming rascals and beggars.
GRUCHET: Oh, my good fellow, I am well accustomed to refusing people.
MUREL: It will seriously upset all your private affairs.
GRUCHET: Never! Don't you believe it!
MUREL: Besides, it would be necessary to live in Paris, and that would entail great expense.
GRUCHET: Very well, I will live in Paris, and hang the expense!
MUREL: Frankly, I don't see any particular advantage for you even if you should obtain the deputyship.
GRUCHET: YOU may think what you please. I see the advantage, myself.
MUREL: And you may fail of election, you know.
GRUCHET: Have you any reason to think that?
MUREL: Nothing very serious. But there is no denying that Rousselin has a firm hold on the public favour.
GRUCHET: Only a short time ago, you said he was an imbecile!
MUREL: That may not prevent him from succeeding.
GRUCHET: Then you advise me to give up the whole thing?
MUREL: Not absolutely. But it is always bad to have for an adversary a man of Rousselin's importance.
GRUCHET: His importance! Ha! ha!
MUREL: Remember, he has many friends; his manners are cordial and pleasing; and, while he manages the Conservatives very cleverly, he poses as a Republican.
GRUCHET: Everyone knows that.
MUREL: Oh, if you count on the good sense of the public —
GRUCHET: But why do you discourage me now, when everything is running as smoothly as if on wheels? Listen to me! No one suspects it, but through Félicité, my maid, I know all that goes on in Rousselin's household.
MUREL: Your method of gaining information is not particularly delicate!
GRUCHET: Why not?
MUREL: Nor even prudent; because they say that once you borrowed a considerable sum of money from Rousselin.
GRUCHET: They say that? Well?
MUREL: YOU ought first to repay him.
GRUCHET: For that matter, you ought to repay me the money I lent you a long time ago. Be just!
MUREL: In spite of my proofs of devoted friendship, and the good advice I have just given you, you speak to me like that! Please remember that without my influence you never can be elected!
Here I have been wearing myself out for you, although I have no personal interest in the matter.
GRUCHET: Who knows? I don't understand this business at all. First you push me ahead, then you pull me back. The money I owe to Rousselin! Let some one else pay it! I am not inexhaustible! And the bill at the café is going to be something terrible, because those lively fellows drink and drink, without knowing when to stop. Perhaps you think I am not worrying about that! This electioneering is a whirlpool that sucks down all one's money. [Enter Hombourg] Hombourg, here again?
HOMBOURG: IS Monsieur Rousselin at home?
GRUCHET: I know nothing about him.
HOMBOURG: One word! I own a little Normandy horse — not an expensive animal — which would be very useful to you in driving about the country on your electioneering business.
GRUCHET: I make all my trips on foot, thank you!
HOMBOURG: A rare chance, Monsieur Gruchet!
GRUCHET: Chances like that will be sure to turn up again.
HOMBOURG: I do not believe it.
GRUCHET: It is quite impossible for me to buy it at present.
HOMBOURG [bows]: At your service, Monsieur! [Enters Rousselin's house]
MUREL: Do you think Rousselin would have done that? That man keeps an inn, and he will try to turn all his customers against you. You may lose fifty votes through him. I am tired of trying to support your cause!
GRUCHET: Keep cool! I own I did wrong. It was because you had just been worrying me with your remarks about Rousselin. And perhaps what you told me is not true, after all. From whom did you get the information? Only from Rousselin, I'LL wager! Or possibly you are playing one of your own little jokes, just to test me. [Noise without]
MUREL: Listen!
GRUCHET: I hear.
MUREL: The noise is coming nearer.
VOICES [without]: Gruchet! Gruchet I (Enter Félicité, L.)
FELICITE: Monsieur Gruchet, some one wishes to see you.
GRUCHET: ME?
FELICITE: Yes; come quickly!
GRUCHET: TO see me? [Exit hastily, with Félicité. Noise increases]
MUREL [about to go, L.]S What a racket! What can be the matter? [Exit.
SCENE VI.
ROUSSELIN [enters from the house]: The people are becoming quite excited, apparently. Good! — that is, provided they are not getting excited against me!
VOICES [from the café]: Down with the bourgeoisie ROUSSELIN: Ha! I don't like that much!
(Gruchet passes across the back of stage, trying to evade a crowd of men, who demand a speech from him)
GRUCHET: Leave me, my friends! Let me alone! No, no! I tell you, I cannot make a speech!
ALL: Gruchet! Long live Gruchet, our deputy!
ROUSSELIN: What do they say — deputy?
HOMBOURG [who has entered from Rousselin's house]: And why not, since Bouvigny has withdrawn?
[Gruchet and the crowd exit C.
ROUSSELIN: It is not possible!
HOMBOURG: Certainly it is — the ministry has changed, Monsieur! The prefect has handed in his resignation, and he has just written to Bouvigny to advise him to do the same with regard to his own candidacy. [Exit C.
ROUSSELIN: Then — no one remains in the field as a candidate except — [points to his breast] myself! No, no — there is Gruchet! Gruchet! [Reflects. Slight pause. Enter Dodart ] What do you wish from me?
SCENE VII.
DODART: I am here to render you a service, Monsieur.
ROUSSELIN: Coming from a faithful follower of the Count de Bouvigny, that astonishes me!
DODART: YOU will appreciate my action later. As the Count de Bouvigny has retired from the candidacy —
ROUSSELIN [brusquely]: It is true, then? He has retired?
DODART: Yes, for certain reasons.
ROUSSELIN: Personal reasons.
DODART: Monsieur —
ROUSSELIN: I say he had strong personal reasons, that's all!
DODART: Very likely. Now, permit me to warn you of something very important. Those persons who are interested in your success — and I am one of them, I assure you! — are beginning to fear the violence of your adversaries.
ROUSSELIN: Well? What of that?
DODART: Perhaps you have not heard the insurrectionary cries that Gruchet's followers have been uttering. This village Catiline —
ROUSSELIN [aside]: Village Catiline! What a good phrase! I must remember that.
DODART: He is capable of anything, Monsieur. And perhaps, thanks to the present crazy mood of the people, he will become one of our tribunes!
ROUSSELIN [aside]: By Jove! I am beginning to be afraid he will!
DODART: But the Conservatives have not given up the fight, by any means. First of all, they wish to vote for an honest man, who will guarantee — [Rousselin makes a movement] — Oh! they will not ask him to go back on any of his principles; they will require only a few simple concessions.
ROUSSELIN: And that devil of a Murel has spoiled my chances!
DODART: Unfortunately, that seems to be the case!
ROUSSELIN [thoughtfully]: Alas! yes!
DODART: AS notary and as citizen, I deplore it! Ah! it was a fine dream — the idea of an alliance between the bourgeoisie and the nobility, cemented by the marriage of your daughter to a son of the house of Bouvigny! The Count himself said to me an hour ago — will you believe what I am about to say?
ROUSSELIN: I have the utmost confidence in your word, Monsieur!
DODART: The Count said, with the chivalric air so characteristic of him: "I am not at all angry with Monsieur Rousselin — "
ROUSSELIN: Neither have I any resentment against him, upon my honour!
DODART: And he added: "I should like nothing better, if Monsieur Rousselin does not find it unsuitable — "
ROUSSELIN: Find what unsuitable?
DODART: "Than to join forces with him, in the interest of our canton and of the public morals."
ROUSSELIN: Indeed! I will join him in that with pleasure.
DODART: Here comes the Count now! [Makes signal; Bouvigny comes forward]
BOUVIGNY [bows']: Monsieur!
ROUSSELIN [glances around]: I am just observing whether any one —
BOUVIGNY: NO one saw me enter here — do not be disturbed! Monsieur Rousselin, I beg you to accept the assurance of my regrets regarding the matter of —
ROUSSELIN: Oh, there is no harm in —
DODART: In acknowledging one's errors, eh?
BOUVIGNY: I admit it; but pray consider that my affection may have exaggerated the importance of certain principles.
ROUSSELIN: Ah, Monsieur, I honour high principles!
BOUVIGNY: Consider also the malady from which my poor son suffers.
ROUSSELIN: He did not appear ill when he was here a few hours ago.
DODART: Oh, yes! Monsieur Onésime is very much indisposed. But he has the courage to hide his suffering. Poor fellow! his nerves are so sensitive!
ROUSSELIN [aside]: Aha! I see your game! Well, you shall help me in mine! [Aloud] I understand. You mean that Monsieur Onésime, having conceived certain hopes —
BOUVIGNY: Exactly!
ROUSSELIN: It must pain him very much —
BOUVIGNY: It breaks his heart, Monsieur!
ROUSSELIN: To see you abandon your candidacy so suddenly!
DODART [aside]: He is laughing at us!
ROUSSELIN: When you had already a number of votes!
BOUVIGNY [with dignity]: I had a great many, I assure you!
ROUSSELIN [smiles]: Not all, however!
DODART: Perhaps not so many among the working classes in the town, an immense number but in the country!
ROUSSEUN: Ah, if you count on —
BOUVIGNY: Allow me! First, the commune of Bouvigny, where I live, is in my favor, naturally. Then there are the villages of Saint-Leonard, Valencourt, and La Coudrette.
ROUSSELIN [quickly]: No, not that!
BOUVIGNY: And why not that?
ROUSSELIN [embarrassed ]: Why, I believe — [Aside] Murel must have deceived me about that.
BOUVIGNY: I am equally certain to carry Grumesnil, Ypremesnil, and Les Arbois.
DODART [reads from list which he takes from his pocket-book]: Châtillon, Colange, Heurtaux, Lenneval, Bahurs, Saint-Filleul, Grand-Chêne, Roche-Aubert, Fortinet!
ROUSSELIN [aside]: This is alarming!
DODART [reads]: Monicamp, Dehaut, Lampérière, Saint-Nicaise, Vieville, Sirvin, Château-Regnier, La Chapelle, Lebarrois, Mont-Suleau.
ROUSSELIN [aside]: 1 begin to think I don't know the geography of this district!
BOUVIGNY: All these, to say nothing of the fact that 1 have many friends in the various communes who —
ROUSSELIN [overcome]: Oh, I believe you, Monsieur!
BOUVIGNY: These good people hardly know what to do now. They are, of course, very desirous to please me, and will do whatever I wish, obeying me as one man; and if I should instruct them to vote for — no matter whom — you, for instance —
ROUSSELIN: Good heavens! I am not so strongly opposed as —
BOUVIGNY: Opposition is sometimes very useful.
ROUSSELIN: AS an instrument of war, let us say. But it need not be a matter of counteraction; why should we not consolidate?
DODART: By all means, let us consolidate.
ROUSSELIN: I have a horror of new-fangled Utopian ideas, and of subversive doctrines. There is talk of re-establishing the divorce courts — that must be looked after. And the press demands recognition in anything it may choose to do, no matter how great the license.
Complete Works of Gustave Flaubert Page 410
