The French people are fascinated by the constant luck of Bonaparte, and will turn against him when they see fortune abandons him; when all hope of a dynasty becomes illusory. (cannon shot) After today, Baron, let’s try to profit by the general discontent, by sowing hate of the sovereign among the people and scorn for his authority. Our fortunes depend on the success of our negotiations. Think of it carefully, Baron.
BARON DE RHEINFELD:
I am thinking of it.
ABBÉ ORSINI:
The reward of your services will be the Chamberlain’s key.
BARON DE RHEINFELD:
And yours, a Cardinal’s hat.
ABBÉ ORSINI:
A Cardinal. That’s what I’ll be. (cannon shot; The Abbé shudders)
MICHEL LAMBERT:
Cursed Italian. He has a shifty, pettifogging air about him. He gives me the impression of a devil. (cannon shot) Fifteen. Ah! Ah! It’s warming up.
BARON DE RHEINFELD:
Abbé!
ABBÉ ORSINI:
What do you want?
BARON DE RHEINFELD:
Suppose our foresight was false?
ABBÉ ORSINI:
What do you mean?
BARON DE RHEINFELD:
If, instead of a girl— (cannon shot)
ABBÉ ORSINI:
Impossible! Heaven doesn’t wish it. Hasn’t Bonaparte dared to proclaim everywhere that he will give to his future offspring the title of King of Rome!
BARON DE RHEINFELD:
The King of Rome! (cannon shot)
ALL:
Seventeen.
ABBÉ ORSINI:
(continuing) That title belongs to our Saint Peter, the Pope! So it’s an assassination of his temporal power and God won’t permit it.
BARON DE RHEINFELD:
You reassure me. (cannon shot) Ah, indeed, that will never end!
MICHEL LAMBERT:
Eighteen.
ALL:
Eighteen!
MICHEL LAMBERT:
Eighteen. Eighteen. (cannon shot)
ALL:
(anxiously) Nineteen.
ABBÉ ORSINI:
Well, Baron, what’s the matter with you? You are pale as a dead man!
BARON DE RHEINFELD:
You think so! Why no, why no, I am calm and certain. (cannon shot)
MICHEL LAMBERT AND THE OTHERS:
Twenty!
BARON DE RHEINFELD:
I confess I am deeply moved.
ABBÉ ORSINI:
Moved! Moved! See here, Baron, you would get a saint damned!
BARON DE RHEINFELD:
What do you want, my pious friend? It’s stronger than I am. It’s much stronger— (a cannon shot interrupts his thought) than I am!
ALL:
(with great emotion) Twenty-one!
(A great silence.)
ALL:
Nothing more.
MICHEL LAMBERT:
Nothing more. We’ve counted wrong, that’s certain.
ABBÉ ORSINI:
(overwhelmed with joy) Well, you see, Baron, it’s a girl!
BARON DE RHEINFELD:
It’s a girl. I’ll have my key.
ABBÉ ORSINI:
I get my hat. Your health, Chamberlain.
BARON DE RHEINFELD:
Your health, Cardinal.
(A cannon shot, much louder than all that preceded it.)
ABBÉ AND BARON:
(stupefied) Huh!
MICHEL LAMBERT:
Come on; I really knew it was coming.
USHER:
(announcing) The Emperor!
NAPOLEON:
(entering) Well! Gentlemen, we have a big lad! He had to be dragged by the ear a bit, but at last he’s come.
(There’s a general shout, both within and without, while Napoleon goes to the balcony to greet the people.)
PEOPLE:
(outside) Long Live The Emperor! Long Live the King of Rome!
NAPOLEON:
(on the balcony) Thanks, thanks, gentlemen. Ah, this day is the most beautiful of my life. (Baron de Rheinfeld and Abbé Orsini come to bow before him)
BARON DE RHEINFELD:
Sire, I lay at your feet the homage and congratulations of the European powers.
ABBÉ ORSINI:
And as for me, I bring to the Prince Imperial the blessings of the father of the Church.
NAPOLEON:
Thanks, gentlemen, thanks! For a long while I’ve known the feelings of Rome towards me. I receive the wishes of Saint Peter and those of all the sovereigns of Europe. I appreciate all their frankness, and I count on soon thanking them again myself in their palaces.
MICHEL LAMBERT:
(aside) Famous! I will be there. Crush the Jesuit and (shouting
