with it, my mother’s character. At the least fault, which would make another mother smile, mine would beat me. From the power of blows, she taught me a phrase that instinctively I did not want to retain—then she tossed me into the street with the order to recite it to the first passer-by—if I didn’t want to be beaten to death.
ANDREA
Frightful! Frightful!
QUEEN
And what was this phrase?
COUNTESS de la MOTTE
Sir, take pity on a little orphan who’s descended in a straight line from Henry II of Valois, King of France. The cold is making you shiver, Madame and I am in despair but wood has just risen to six pounds, which puts it at seventy pounds to the cord—and my store is exhausted.
QUEEN
It’s not cold that’s making me shiver, Madame—it’s pity from listening to you. But can you furnish proof justifying your genealogy?
COUNTESS de la MOTTE
Here’s what you desire, Madame.
(gives papers that the Queen examines)
QUEEN
(very kindly) You were right, Countess. These titles are perfectly in order—and with them you will no doubt obtain a pension for yourself, and an advancement for your husband. While waiting, the Office of Good Deeds authorizes me to offer you this slight assistance.
(She offers her a roll of coins.)
COUNTESS de la MOTTE
When shall I have the Honor of thanking you again?
QUEEN
We will let you know within a week because I promise you news from us, but it’s beginning to get late, our sleigh is expecting us, and we must reach Versailles—come, Andrea!
COUNTESS de la MOTTE
Allow me, Miladies, to light you out.
(going to take the lamp from the table, she fingers the roll of coins) Crowns of a few pounds. Fifty or perhaps a hundred.
ANDREA
(putting herself together) Goodbye, Countess—and till soon—
(they leave)
COUNTESS de la MOTTE
Open, Clothilde—Miladies, I am your very humble servant.
(she makes a curtsy)
(weighing the roll) I’m not mistaken—only fifty crowns—
(she dumps the roll into a bronze cup on the table) What do I see—double crowns—fifty double crows—two thousand four hundred pounds—so these ladies are very rich! Oh! I’ll find them again.
(she trips on a box) What’s that? A candy box in gold—a woman’s portrait—it resembles the larger of these ladies—no question, a mother or an ancestor—if they were still here.
(she opens a window) No! Still there’s a chaise with porters in front of the house—but they spoke of a sleigh. Oh! How cold it is.
CLOTHILDE
Madame! Madame! It’s another visit.
COUNTESS de la MOTTE
Yet another lady of charity?
CLOTHILDE
No, this time it’s a gentleman. And he has a tremendously more distinguished air—he says that Madame wrote to him.
COUNTESS de la MOTTE
I wrote to everybody. But show him in quickly, Dame Clothilde.
(as the old woman goes to the door, aside) Come, Providence—yet another 100 crowns.
(a gesture of attention and uncertainty by the Countess on the quality of the visitor)
ROHAN
(entering) Madame Countess—I am Cardinal de Rohan.
COUNTESS de la MOTTE
Monsignor.
(she curtsies to him and designates an armchair)
ROHAN
My friend, the Count De Cagliostro told me of your misfortune and it is he who convinced me to pay you a visit.
COUNTESS de la MOTTE
(aside, meaningfully) Ah!
(aloud) It’s a kindness for which I will be eternally grateful to him, Monsignor.
ROHAN
You are living alone?
COUNTESS de la MOTTE
Absolutely alone, Monsignor.
ROHAN
That’s nice on the part of a young and pretty woman.
COUNTESS de la MOTTE
It’s simple, Monsignor, on the part of a woman who would be displaced in all of the society except that into which her poverty carries her.
ROHAN
Madame, I hope that you are not at the end of your resources. You have property somewhere—which must be mortgaged. Family jewels.
(noticing the box on which the Countess is drumming her fingers) This one, for example—an original box—on my word—will you allow me, Madame?
(surprised) A portrait.
COUNTESS de la MOTTE
You seem to know the original of this painting, Monsignor?
ROHAN
No question! It’s that of Marie-Therese.
COUNTESS de la MOTTE
(excited)
Maria-Therese, Empress of Austria. You think so, Monsignor.
ROHAN
I am certain of it. But where did you get this candy box, Madame?
COUNTESS de la MOTTE
From a Lady of Charity who came here just now with one of her friends, and who willingly promised me her protection, leaving a 100 crowns on my table.
ROHAN
Pardon, Countess, but could you give me a portrait of this generous donator?
COUNTESS
