Act Second
Scene I Alladine Discovered, Her Forehead Against One of the Windows That Open on the Park. Enter Ablamore
Ablamore
Alladine….
ALLADINE (turning abruptly).
What is it?
Ablamore
Oh, how pale you are!… Are you ill?
Alladine
No.
Ablamore
What is it in the park?—Were you looking at the avenue of fountains that unfolds before your windows?—They are wonderful and weariless. They were raised there one by one, at the death of each of my daughters…. At night I hear them singing in the garden…. They bring to mind the lives they represent, and I can tell their voices apart….
Alladine
I know.
Ablamore
You must pardon me; I sometimes repeat the same things and my memory is less trust-worthy…. It is not age; I am not an old man yet, thank God! but kings have a thousand cares. Palomides has been telling me his adventures….
Alladine
Ah!
Ablamore
He has not done what he would; young people have no will any more.—He astonishes me. I had chosen him among a thousand for my daughter. He should have had a soul as deep as hers.—He has done nothing which may not be excusable, but I had hoped more…. What do you say of him?
Alladine
Who?
Ablamore
Palomides?
Alladine
I have only seen him one evening….
Ablamore
He astonishes me.—Everything has succeeded with him till now. He would undertake a thing and accomplish it without a word.—He would get out of danger without an effort, while others could not open a door without finding death behind it.—He was of those whom events seem to await on their knees. But a little while ago something snapped. You would say he has no longer the same star, and every step he takes carries him further from himself.—I don’t know what it is.—He does not seem to be at all aware, but others can remark it…. Let us speak of something else: look! the night comes; I see it rise along the walls. Would you like to go together to the wood of Astolat, as we do other evenings?
Alladine
I am not going out to-night.
Ablamore
We will stay here, since you prefer it so. Yet the air is sweet and the evening very fair. [ALLADINE starts without his noticing it.] I have had flowers set along the hedges, and I should like to show them to you….
Alladine
No, not to-night…. If you wish me to…. I like to go there with you … the air is pure and the trees … but not to-night…. [Cowers, weeping, against the old man’s breast.] I do not feel quite well….
Ablamore
What is the matter? You are going to fall…. I will call….
Alladine
No, no…. It is nothing…. It is over….
Ablamore
Sit down. Wait….
[He runs to the folding-doors at the back and opens both. Palomides is seen, seated on a bench. He has not had time to turn away his eyes. Ablamore looks fixedly at him, without a word, then re-enters the room. Palomides rises and retreats in the corridor, stifling the sound of his footsteps. The pet lamb leaves the room, unperceived.]