Beauty And The Jacobin
by Booth TarkingtonGenre: Drama
Setting:
Format of Original Source: Play
Recommended Adaptation Length:
Candidate for Adaptation? Not Reviewed
EXCERPT:
ELOISE [folding her arms]. You are to withdraw your soldiers, countersign the “permit,” and allow my friends to embark at once.
VALSIN [with solemnity]. Do you give it as an order, Citizeness?
ELOISE. I do. You will receive suitable political advancement.
VALSIN [in a choked voice]. You mean as a–a reward?
ELOISE [haughtily]. I guarantee that you shall receive it! [He looks at her strangely; then, with a low moan, presses his hand to his side, seeming upon the point of a dangerous seizure.]
VALSIN [managing to speak]. I can only beg you to spare me. You have me at your mercy.
ELOISE [swelling]. It is well for you that you understand that!
VALSIN [shaking his hand ruefully]. Yes; you see I have a bad liver: it may become permanently enlarged. Laughter is my great danger.
ELOISE [crying out with rage]. Oh!
VALSIN [dolorously]. I have continually to remind myself that I am no longer in the first flush of youth.
ELOISE. Idiot! Do you not know who I am!
VALSIN. You? Oh yes–[He checks himself abruptly; looks at her with brief intensity; turns his eyes away, half closing them in quick meditation; smiles, as upon some secret pleasantry, and proceeds briskly.] Oh yes, yes, I know who you are.
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