GIFT OF Mrs . Rode cape he Rebound : a Comedy One Act : by L. B. Pic- rd: Translated by Bar- lett H. Clark amuel French: Publisher 28-30 West Thirty-eighth Street: New York LONDON Samuel French, Ltd. 26 SOUTHAMPTON STUEKT, STRAND PRICE TWENTY-FIVE CENTS THE WORLD'S BEST PLAYS BY CELEBRATED EUROPEAN AUTHORS BARRETT H. CLARK CtENEBAL EDITOR The Rebound: a Comedy in One Act: by K B/Pic- ard: Translated by Bar- rett H. Clark Samuel French: Publisher 28-30 West Thirty-eighth Street: New York LONDON Samuel French, Ltd. SOUTHAMPTON STREET, STRAND COPYRIGHT. 1915, BY SAMUEL FRENCH V L. B. PICARD. Louis- Benoit Picard was born at Paris in 1769. Though he was educated for the law, he soon de- cided to abandon that profession and write plays. His first venture was a collaboration " Le Badinage dangereux " which was produced in 1789. Es- sentially a man of the theater, Picard learned through his experiences as manager, director, and playwright, "to write plays which were full of im- mediate appeal. Many of his plays, however, have through their inherent charm and wit and humor, outlasted the age for which they were written. " Les Ricochets " " The Rebound " was a special favorite with the author who says of it : " The idea of the piece is ingenious and true to life : the execu- tion, too, it seems to me, is good. It is a picture in miniature of all society looked at from a curious point of view." The costumes and setting are late eighteenth century. THE REBOUND PERSONS REPRESENTED. SAINVILLE A young colonel, son of a cabinet minister DORSAY LAFLEUR DORSAY'S valet GABRIEL DORSAY'S jockey MADAME DE MIRCOUR DORSAY'S niece MARIE MADAME DE MIRCOUR'S maid SCENE: A room in DORSAY'S house, Paris. TIME: Late eighteenth century. " Les Ricochets " was first performed at Paris in 1807. THE REBOUND SCENE : A room in the home of MONSIEUR DORSAY, at Paris. As the curtain rises, enter GABRIEL, carrying LAFLEUR'S clothes under one arm; in the other hand he carries a cage with a canary in it. Enter MARIE from the other side of the stage. MARIE. Monsieur Gabriel ! GABRIEL. Ah, Mademoiselle Marie ! MARIE. May I speak a word with you? GABRIEL. Yes ; your uncle is just doing Mon- sieur's hair, and will then do his own. MARIE. And I can hear Madame J s bell from here. GABRIEL. (Handing her the cage) Let us lose no time, then : Mademoiselle, will you be good enough to accept this little present ? MARIE. Oh, what a pretty cage ! And what a pretty canary ! You are very kind, Monsieur Gabriel, but in return, I must ask you to accept this (She gives him a small package) Here. GABRIEL. (Unwrapping the package) What is this ? A cravat ? Mademoiselle, how kind you are ! MARIE. I embroidered it myself, Monsieur Gabriel. GABRIEL. I really don't deserve this ! Ah, when shall I hope to find favor in your uncle's eyes as a possible husband for you? MARIE. You must have patience; things are 5 6 THE REBOUND. going very smoothly. I've been in Madame de Mircour's service for ten months now, and you've been in Monsieur Dorsay's service for two weeks, as jockey. GABRIEL. How pleasant it is to live under the same roof with each other! MARIE. Yes ; and every morning we can gossip for a few moments GABRIEL. Or exchange presents ! MARIE. And who knows what may happen? A drop of rain, a hare that escapes a dog, have caused great battles conspiracies what is our marriage in comparison to such things as that ? Now, a very favorable sign, it seems to me, is the fact that Mon- sieur Sainville is making love to my mistress. GABRIEL. What ? That young lively colonel, the one my master is trying to get on the good side of since the colonel's father has been appointed cabinet minister ? MARIE. Yes. And if the colonel finds favor in Madame's eyes, I'm going to get you a position as valet; I see no reason why our marriage shouldn't follow theirs? GABRIEL. And do you think your mistress cares for the Colonel? MARIE. I believe she does think of it : a young soldier, a lovely disposition, and son of a cabinet minister ! Madame is free to do as she likes ; she is twenty-two years old, and seems to be in a hurry to marry again. It's too bad, however, that she's so capricious and moody ; still, she's the loveliest woman imaginable. But I wish she were a little more steady : during the past ten months, I've seen her in turn a gambler, a botanist, and a devout repentant. Just now she has a mania for animals : she has had me get for her a monkey and a parrot, and I'll wager that her good-nature yesterday was only the effect of her dog Azor's splendid behavior at the ball ! THE REBOUND. 7 GABRIEL. Strange mania, is it not? MARIE. But they say she is capricious only about small things, though often she refuses to see visitors if she has slept badly the night before. You see, it's all the fault of her parents : she never wanted for anything. GABRIEL. Still, we must put up with the faults of our masters ! MARIE. So I do, Gabriel. My dear mistress is much too kind for me to think ill of her. I may be only seventeen, but I declare it's I who govern her, though she has no suspician of the fact. LAFLEUR'S VOICE. (Outside) Gabriel! GABRIEL. It's Monsieur de Lafleur ! MARIE. My Uncle ! I must run. One moment, though : please speak to him about ourselves ; if he consents, I am yours, though you are only a jockey : I'm not at all proud. See you soon, Monsieur Gabriel. (She goes out) (Enter LAFLEUR, in a dressing-gown.) LAFLEUR. Ah, Gabriel, here you are! What are you doing? Do you want me to wear my voice out calling you? GABRIEL. I beg your pardon, Monsieur de Lafleur. LAFLEUR. Never mind my name ! I know it ! GABRIEL. I mean, I feared to interrupt Mon- sieur. LAFLEUR. Good ! I am pleased to see that you know your place. GABRIEL. Would Monsieur like to try on his clothes ? LAFLEUR. You are in a hurry ! Can't you give me time to brush off some of my powder? (He sits at a small table with a mirror and wipes powder from his face) 8 THE REBOUND. GABRIEL. It was only a desire on my part to be of service to you. LAFLEUR. At your age I was as ready as you to be of service, but I was never so stupid ! So you say ? GABRIEL. I am delighted to see Monsieur in so gay a mood LAFLEUR. Think so? You're a good fellow. My cravat? GABRIEL, (f landing LAFLEUR the cravat MARIE has given him) There oh, no ! here is yours ! LAFLEUR. I'd like to see you succeed, Gabriel. You are now being educated, and your stupidity is only a sign of your zeal. I really don't consider you as big a fool as I used to. GABRIEL. Monsieur is too good ! LAFLEUR. My suit, now ! Monsieur Dorsay, your master and mine is a true gentleman, and a rich one. He is ambitious, though he hasn't any too much talent, in spite of the fact that he scribbles verses. Let me take you under my protection. Give me a pen and paper I want to write. Speak ahead I am listening. GABRIEL. (Giving LAFLEUR pen, ink, and paper) Monsieur is so kind that I am tempted to tell him my secret. LAFLEUR. A secret ! Have you secrets ? (As he nrites) " Yes, my dear, my beautiful " Well, your secret? GABRIEL. Let me tell you ! I am ambitious. LAFLEUR. Ha ! Of course, you should be. And what is your ambition ? Come, don't be timid with me; this is the moment to speak I shall help you. GABRIEL. Monsieur has a very pretty niece. LAFLEUR. You say my niece is pretty? GABRIEL. Though I am only a jockey, I have eyes and a heart. Of course, I don't pretend at this time to hope for an alliance which is really too disproportionate but possibly, in the future, with THE REBOUND. 9 the aid and advice of Monsieur, I might I hope to become a valet. LAFLEUR. The devil ! That is ambitious ! You are very young. GABRIEL. I am positive that with Monsieur's help I shall make my way. LAFLEUR. Ha, you flatterer, you are trying to sway me ! DORSAY'S VOICE. (Outside) Lafleur! LAFLEUR. I hear Monsieur ! Quick, take away this dressing-gown, and put that chair into place. Take this note to the maid of that danseuse you know. When you return, I'll see what I can do ; I must think it over. GABRIEL. Monsieur is not angry at my bold- ness ? LAFLEUR. No, no. Go away, now. (GABRIEL goes out) (Enter DORSAY, in a dressing-gown. He carries a paper.) DORSAY. Where have you been? I've rung and called ! LAFLEUR. Here I am, Monsieur, at your service. DORSAY. Quick, now, dress me. I'm in a fearful hurry. Have you been to see Colonel Sainville? LAFLEUR. I went in person to announce Mon- sieur's visit. The Colonel begs Monsieur not to trouble himself, for he is coming to the house this morning, to see Madame de Mircour. DORSAY. To see my niece ? All the more reason for me to hurry ! I must see him first at his home ! People of high rank always appreciate that sort of attention ! Where is my suit ? LAFLEUR. (Helping his master on with his coat) Ah, Monsieur is very particular regarding such formalities. DORSAY. A matter of habit, Lafleur. io THE REBOUND LAFLEUR. Not everyone is so accustomed. For my part, I could never think of those points. DORSAY. Poor Lafleur! You are a good fellow all the same. Well, I am delighted that the Colonel seems to have a liking for my niece. He is most obliging and helpful when he's in a good humor, when he's not, woe be unto his friends ! L \FLEUR. How well Monsieur describes his friends ! If Monsieur weren't in so great a hurry I should be tempted to ask him a favor. DORSAY. What is it ? Hurry up. My sword ? LAFLEUR. It's for a young man, a relative of a young actress DORSAY. Ah, so you are acquainted in theatrical circles ? My niece is worrying me considerably, she is the most well, this young man, you were say- ing ? LAFLEUR. Well, as Monsieur will soon change his mode of living DORSAY. Who told you that ? LAFLEUR. Ah, Monsieur, a man like Monsieur cannot long remain without obtaining the situation he deserves. So that Monsieur will need a new staff of assistants, and this young man I speak of might well, I dare hope, aspire to the position of private secretary DORSAY. How much did your young friend give you to speak for him ? LAFLEUR. Ah, Monsieur, the imputation is un- just ! I speak from the most honorable of motives. I model myself after Monsieur: I find pleasure in doing good to others. DORSAY. Idiotic my hat ! I think it very foolish to give away one's services my snuff-box ! What is it? I thought I heard a carriage? Could that possibly be the Colonel? LAFLEUR. Yes, it is. DORSAY. Saints in Heaven, and here you are wasting my precious time ! Fix that table, deliver THE REBOUND. n these verses and the bouquet to that widow in the Chaussee d'Antin. LAFLEUR. At once, Monsieur. But I beg Mon- sieur to take that young man: he will be only too willing to work for a man who is as just and kind as Monsieur. DORSAY. Nonsense very well, then. Bring me a sample of his handwriting, and if it's passable LAFLEUR. Oh, it's admirable, Monsieur. Here is the Colonel. (He goes out) (Enter SAINVILLE.) SAINVILLE. How are you, my dear Dorsay? DORSAY. I am delighted and most deeply honored to receive Monsieur le colonel. I was just going to call upon you. SAINVILLE. I promised Madame de Mircour that I would bring her these verses from the new opera this morning. Let us chat while she is preparing to see me. DORSAY. Very well, Monsieur le colonel. SAINVILLE. What a delightful woman your niece is ! What cleverness ! I admire even her caprices. DORSAY. At the ball yesterday she said so many charming things about the Colonel SAINVILLE. Really? Delighted, I am sure. Can I be of service to you, my dear Dorsay ? DORSAY. Please leave me out of the question, now ; I shall do myself the honor of calling on you later and speaking of a matter SAINVILLE. No, let us discuss it now. I am only too glad to be of any service to an uncle of Madame de Mircour ! When, I wonder, will she finally accord me the supreme honor of her hand in marriage ? DORSAY. She is yours. The matter of her late husband's will is at present the only obstacle. I am doing all in my power for you, but what serves you 12 THE REBOUND. more faithfully is not only your own position and rank, nor that of your much-honored and highly- esteemed father, but be it said without flattery, your own signal merit and personal accomplishments. SAINVILLE. Oh. without flattery ! But tell me, my dear Dorsay, \vhat "can I do for you ? DORSAY. Since you are so good as to insist, your father, the cabinet minister, has the greatest confidence in you SAINVILLE. Which I strive to merit. DORSAY. There is at present a vacant post which your father may fill as he likes, and / I aspire to that honor ! SAINVILLE. Have you applied for this yet? DORSAY. I have, but I have been informed that the first secretary said your father would consult you. SAINVILLF. Well, my dear Dorsay DORSAY. Take me under your protection, and do me this favor, I beg you. I shall be glad to bring you letters, articles of credit, and SAINVILLE. No, let me see these at once. Let us go into your study. VOICE OF MADAME DE MIRCOUR. (Outside) Unbelievable ! Hurry look everywhere ! He can't be lost ! SAINVILLE. Wait one moment isn't that Madame de Mircour's voice? DORSAY. It is. SAINVILLE. Get your documents for me, Dorsay ; I shall be glad to give them to my father this very morning DORSAY. One word from you, and I am as sure of success as you are with my niece. I shall bring the papers at once, my dear nephew I beg your pardon! (He goes out) (Enter MADAME DE MIRCOUR.) MADAME DE MIRCOUR. You simply must find THE REBOUND. 13 it, do you hear ? Oh, servants, servants ! Neglect- ful Ah, you here, Monsieur ? SAINVILLE. Yes, Madame, impatiently waiting to tell you how happy I am to see you looking more charming than ever. MADAME DE MIRCOUR. Please leave me I'm in a frightful humor I am really desperate. SAINVILLE. Oh, what has happened? MADAME DE MIRCOUR. Azor my dear Azor has disappeared, I have no idea where. SAINVILLE. Azor? What is Azor! MADAME DE MIRCOUR. My little pug-dog. Why are you smiling? SAINVILLE. I was not smiling. I sympathize with you. MADAME DE MIRCOUR. You are making fun of me. Men never fail to show their true character ! SAINVILLE. Please be calm. I am sure you will be reasonable MADAME DE MIRCOUR. Reasonable ! No,- Mon- sieur, I am not at all reasonable ! I dislike all reasonable people: they are always cold and un- sympathetic. Well, what do you want? Has no one told you this morning that I was not at home to an von e ? SAINVILLE. I am surprised at the way you treat me, Madame. Those verses from the opera which you asked me to bring you MADAME DE MIRCOUR. I don't want them ! I'm in splendid humor to sing, am I not? SAINVILLE. You are very inconsiderate, I think. MADAME DE MIRCOUR. I inconsiderate? Mon- sieur, you are most unsympathetic. I am suffering, weeping, arid Monsieur jokes and laughs ! SAINVILLE. I scarcely expected this sort of wel- come. Can this really be the same woman who was yesterday so sweet and affable ? MADAME DE MIRCOUR. Yesterday you yourself were very agreeable try to be so to-day. 14 THE REBOUND. SAINVILLE. Madame, that will be out of the ques- ii( 11 so long" as you persist in this humor. MADAME DE MIRCOUR. Ha, now I see your im- patience, your hot temper ! SAINVILLE. This caprice of yours is the MADAME DE MIRCOUR. Caprice! A misfortune like this and you call that a caprice ! SAINVILLE. Madame, I shan't venture another word; you misinterpret everything I say. Good day, Madame. MADAME DE MIRCOUR. Good day, Monsieur. SAINVILLE. (Starting to go, then turning back) Shall we allow the loss of Monsieur Azor to keep us apart MADAME DE MIRCOUR. That's most unkind of you : you know very well I should never be so un- just as that. SAINVILLE. Madame, if the most devoted, most tender, most sincere affection MADAME DE MIRCOUR. Now you are going to complain. You were about to go, Monsieur; pray allow me to leave you. I am going to my room and give vent to my sorrow alone. SAINVILLE. If you leave, Madame, you may depend upon it you will have laid eyes on me for the last time. MADAME DE MIRCOUR. Very well, Monsieur, try not to forget that. (She goes out. A moment later) (Enter DORSAY, carrying some papers.) DORSAY. What, has my niece left you so soon? SAINVILLE. Yes, Monsieur. DORSAY. Well, are things going smoothly, eh? My niece is undoubtedly SAINVILLE. Things are going wonderfully ! Good day! DORSAY. Ah! One moment you gave me to THE REBOUND. 15 hope that you would be glad to see these docu- ments ? SAINVILLE. I am sorry, but I really cannot trouble about the affair. DORSAY. But, Monsieur, you gave me to under- stand you promised SAINVILLE. I wasn't thinking. It is against my principles to solicit offices for others. But there is no hurry, is there? I shall tell my father that you will call on him to-morrow or the day after! Good day, Monsieur Dorsay. (He goes out) DORSAY. Well, well ! These people of rank, always ready to promise, but never keeping their word ! (Enter LAFLEUR.) LAFLEUR. Monsieur, the lady was delighted with the flowers and the verses. DORSAY. The devil never mind that ! What a fool I am ! With my fortune, my liberty, can't I clo as I like? LAFLEUR. (Taking a paper from his pocket) If Monsieur will be good enough to glance at this? The young man's handwriting. DORSAY. Let me tell you, I think you are most impertinent to think of placing people in my service! I don't need a secretary. LAFLEUR. But I only ask Monsieur to be good enough to look at this sample. What a beautiful hand he writes ! DORSAY. (Taking the paper) You are a funny fellow! (Reading) " The difference which exists between people of rank and people of no rank tends to disappear What's this ? " The footman does a favor for the valet, the valet often hastily dresses his master who is going to pay his respects to My lord ! " LAFLEUR. Is that what it savs? What else? 16 THE REBOUND. DORSAY. ' Torment one's inferiors that is how one revenges himself on his superiors." Philos- ophy ! Morality ! The devil ! Monsieur de Laflcur, you may tell your protege that before he applies for a place, he had better learn how to think. (He throws the paper at LAFLEUR) I tell you, I can get someone else, and if I can't, then I shall retire to the country, and live by myself. LAFLEUR. But, Monsieur DORSAY. Don't say another word to me, or I'll discharge you! (He goes out) LAFLEUR. Whew ! Our masters how dis- agreeable they can be! I'll get revenge! (Enter GABRIEL.) GABRIEL. The danseuse' maid said she couldn't find her mistress anywhere. LAFLEUR. Ah, here you are, Monsieur Gabriel! The idea of your presuming to become a valet ! Leave me this instant ! GABRIEL. Why are you sending me away? LAFLEUR. Monsieur knows you you rascal ! He is going to discharge you ; you have only a week to find a new place! Don't answer me! Where the devil did you get the idea to copy that philosophy? (He tears the paper into shreds, and goes out) GABRIEL. Heavens ! What has happened, I wonder ? (Enter MARIE.) MARIE. Well, Monsieur Gabriel? GABRIEL. Mademoiselle, everything is lost. Your uncle, who at first gave me some hope, is in a mad fury. He says that Monsieur is going to discharge me. MARIE. Haven't YOU noticed that when anv- THE REBOUND. 17 thing goes wrong with our masters, it is we who suffer? Madame has just been scolding me. What's that paper there? GABRIEL. (Picking up the pieces of paper of which LAFLEUR has torn up and thrown on the floor) I don't know. Monsieur Lafleur threw it there. MARIE. Let's see. GABRIEL. It looks like the handwriting of a writing-master. MARIE. (Glancing through some of the torn pieces) Oh, now I know. GABRIEL. What ? MARIE. Now I know why my uncle was so angry. Great things have happened since our con- versation. GABRIEL. What ? MARIE. My mistress has lost Azor. GABRIEL. What is Azor? MARIE. Her little dog. GABRIEL. What has that to do with ? MARIE. She is in despair. The Colonel came to see her I don't know what they said, but Madame ran back to her room in tears. I saw the Colonel leave he was in a fury, and swore he would never set foot in the house again. The Colonel has been badly treated by my mistress, then the Colonel treated Monsieur Dorsay in like fashion. Mon- sieur Dorsay took revenge on my uncle, who took it out on you. GABRIEL. You think so? MARIE. He blames you because his master blames him. You see? GABRIEL. (Pulling from his pocket the cravat zvhich MARIE had given him, and tearing it in pieces) And I can't take revenge on anyone ! It's terrible to be the lowest servant in a house ! MARIE. What are you doing? i8 THE REBOUND. GABRIEL. Oh, Heavens, it's the cravat you gave me ! MARIE. You can't think much of my present? GABRIEL. Oh, I beg your pardon a thousand times, Mademoiselle, but I had nothing else I hold this dear to my heart but my nervousness has made me MARIE. Do you know what I ought to do with your present? GABRIEL. Ah, Mademoiselle, don't make me take it back, I beg you. Please keep it as a souvenir of poor Gabriel. MARIE. Don't worry, I shan't force you to take it back. I hear Madame. Leave me no, come here. The cage is downstairs. Quick, go and get it for me. GABRIEL. But MARIE. Do as I tell you. GABRIEL. Heavens! (He goes out) (Enter MADAME DE MIRCOUR.) MADAME DE MIRCOUR. Well, Mademoiselle, have you quite deserted me ! MARIE. Did Madame not say that I was not to return to her without Madame's orders? MADAME DE MIRCOUR. True. Well, any news of Azor? MARIE. No, Madame ; I have been everywhere in the neighborhood no one has seen him. Poor little Azor, what has happened to him? I loved him as much as you did, Madame. MADAME DE MIRCOUR. You are very sympa- thetic, Marie. But do you know, Monsieur Sain- ville had the audacity to be angry with me? MARIE. I should never have thought that of the Colonel ! MADAME DE MIRCOUR. He even brought me some verses from an opera ! Of course, I asked THE REBOUND. 19 him to bring them, but he ought to know when to give his presents ! Poor dear Azor ! (Enter GABRIEL, carrying the cage ivith the canary 'in it.) GABRIEL. Here, Mademoiselle Marie. MADAME DE MIRCOUR. What is that? MARIE. A little canary that was given to me this morning. MADAME DE MIRCOUR. How pretty! Is that dear little bird yours, Marie? MARIE. Yes, Madame. MADAME DE MIRCOUR. You ought to be very happy. MARIE. If Madame would like it ? MADAME DE MIRCOUR. No, no, my child, I shouldn't think of depriving you. But it is really most charming. GABRIEL. (Aside to MARIE) Mademoiselle, would you give away my present? MARIE. (Aside to GABRIEL) Quick, go to the Colonel and tell him Madame has sent for him. GABRIEL. (Aside to MARIE) He swore he would never return. MARIE. (Aside to GABRIEL) Never mind. Run ! (He goes out) MADAME DE MIRCOUR. I never saw a prettier canary. MARIE. Yes, and what lovely coloring! If Madame had the bird it would be quite the same as my own. Madame would really hurt me if she refused MADAME DE MIRCOUR. Well would you like one of my old dresses? MARIE. Madame is too good ! MADAME DE MIRCOUR. Marie, since you insist I accept. 20 THE REBOUND. MARIE. This little bird won't be so ungrateful as Azor! He won't leave you! MADAME DE MIRCOUR. I shall see to that. Where shall we put our cage, Marie? In my bed- room, what do you say ? MARIE. Yes, next to Madame's piano. MADAME DE MIRCOUR. Yes, and the first song I'll teach him will be the Colonel's air from the opera. Poor Colonel! I didn't treat him very kindly ! MARIE. Oh, he is sure to return, I know. (Enter GABRIEL.) GABRIEL. Monsieur le colonel Sainville ! MARIE. There, I just told Madame GABRIEL. (Aside to MARIE) He was just com- ing into the house. (Enter SAINVILLE.) AIADAME DE MIRCOUR. Ah, it's you, Monsieur ? SAINVILLE. Yes, Madame again. MADAME DE MIRCOUR. You said you were not coming to see me again. SAINVILLE. I was looking for your uncle, not you, Madame. MADAME DE MIRCOUR. My uncle? SAINVILLE. Yes, Madame your uncle. MADAME DE MIRCOUR. You are none too polite, it seems to me. SAINVILLE. Since it appears that my visits here are not MADAME DE MIRCOUR. Did I hurt your feel- ings ? SAINVILLE. Would that be unnatural? MADAME DE MIRCOUR. Not at all. But may I ask you to be frank? Deny that you have come back to see me ? THE REBOUND. 21 SAINVILLE. I came back Well, yes, Madame, I have come to see you. I confess it. MADAME DS MIRCOUR. I admit that I was in a bad humor and that I was tyrannical and unjust. Listen to me, Colonel: one must be indulgent to- ward one's friends. I have a great many faults, but you can see that I am not obstinate. SAINVILLE. (As he kisses her hand) You are charming ! And was I not almost as childish as you, too? MADAME DE MIRCOUR. You had sufficient reason to be. I admit I am very capricious and exacting in small matters, but I am constant to my friends. I may even treat them a little bluntly, but I always return to them. Have you those verses? SAINVILLE. No I was afraid that MADAME DE MIRCOUR. Please send for them at once. But you wish to talk business with my uncle I shall leave you; pray remember the verses. (To MARIE) I am charmed with the little canary, my, girl. (She goes out zvith MARIE) (Enter DORS AY in deep despair.) DORSAY. No, I'll go and live in the country and SAINVILLE. Ah, my dear Dorsay ! I have just seen your delightful niece. I declare, if she has her moments of bad humor, she more than com- pensates for them with her inherent charm. Well, now, what about this position of yours ? DORSAY. What about it, Monsieur? SAINVILLE. Ah, you may well be angry with me. I was a little sharp with you, but I was think- ing of another matter. DORSAY. It seems I meet no one to-day but people who are thinking of " another matter ! " SAINVILLE. Yes, what is becoming of friend- ship ? Now, have you those documents ? 22 THE REBOUND. DORSAY. (Taking some papers from his pocket) Yes, Monsieur, but as you said it was against your principles ? SAINVILLE. Oh, for a friend like you Let me see ( DORSAY gives him the papers) Very good (As he glances through them) Excellent recom- mendations ! Yes. I shall see my father at once ! Pray, fear nothing, the position is yours. Good day ! (He goes out) DORSAY. The position is mine! Then I shan't retire to the country ! (Enter LAFLEUR.) LAFLEUR. Gabriel told me that Monsieur wished to see me. DORSAY. I ? Not at all. LAFLEUR. Was he joking, then? I must scold him. DORSAY. No, no, don't scold him. As a matter of fact, I did not call you, but I am glad you are here, none the less. Do you know, I am to have that position ; the Colonel gave me his promise. LAFLEUR. My sincere compliments, Monsieur. DORSAY. By the way, now I shall be placing my household on a different footing let me see that sample of handwriting your young friend copied out? LAFLEUR. The poor fellow tore it in pieces, he was so grieved. But, knowing the Monsieur was good-hearted and that he would soon again be in a humor to consider the matter, I had my friend make another copy DORSAY. Let me see it. (LAFLEUR gives DORSAY a slip of paper) " The duties of a valet toward his master are: submission, zeal, intelligent alert- ness ' Good and very well written very good. The day I am accepted, he will be. In my new home, you will be head valet. (He goes out) THE REBOUND. 23 LAFLEUR. A most kindly and reasonable master ! (Enter GABRIEL. He has on a small jacket and carries a small parcel tied to the end of a stick. He is folio-wed by MARIE.) MARIE. (To GABRIEL) Go on! LAFLEUR. Ah, Gabriel ! What does this mean ? And why are you so sad ? GABRIEL. I am coming to say good-by to Mon- sieur and to ask for my reference. LAFLEUR. What? Are you leaving us at once? GABRIEL. Monsieur told me I had only a week in which to find a new place. LAFLEUR. Don't talk nonsense. I have pre- sented your case to Monsieur, and he forgives you. You may stay. GABRIEL. Oh, Monsieur, how happy I am ! LAFLEUR. Well, now, my friend, we are both very fortunate. I really think you and my niece should make a match of it. Count on me Come here, my dear Marie. You know, this rascal Gabriel has the impertinence to be in love with you? MARIE. Yes, I know, Uncle. LAFLEUR. And I imagine you are stupid enough not to be angry with him? MARIE. Oh, uncle, if you only knew I AFLEUR. Yes, yes. But shouldn't you wait until he has made his way ? MARIE. He has, uncle: he is valet to the Colonel. The Colonel is going to marry Madame. I've arranged it all- L AFLEUR. What, you've arranged- MARIE. The Colonel has just arrived, I have talked with Madame LAFLEUR. Indeed! Well, then, everything is satisfactory ! MARIE. Here they come. 24 THE REBOUND. (Enter MADAME DE MIRCOUR, SAINVILLE, and DORSAY. ) MADAME DE MIRCOUR. Where is my dear uncle? Ah, here he is. Congratulate me, and then allow me to congratulate you. SAINVILLE. (To DORSAY) You have your posi- tion, my dear Dorsay ! DORSAY. Monsieur, I am deeply obliged. (To LAFLEUR) Where is that young friend of yours, Lafleur, I need a secretary this very evening? LAFLEUR. I am delighted, Monsieur. Here he is. GABRIEL. Ah, little canary, what thanks we all owe you! MARIE. Indeed we do! CURTAIN. THE WORLD'S BEST PLAYS By Celebrated European Authors A NEW SERIES OF AMATEUR PLAYS BY THE BEST AUTHORS, ANCIENT AND MODERN, ESPECIALLY TRANSLATED WITH HISTORICAL NOTES, SUG- GESTIONS FOR STAGING, Etc., FOR THE USE OF SCHOOLS, COLLEGES, AND DRAMATIC CLUBS BARRETT H. CLARK General Editor W ITH the immensely increased demand for new plays for purposes of production by amateurs comes a correspondingly great demand for a care- ful selection of those plays which can ba easily and well presented by clubs and colleges. The plays in the present series have been chosen with regard to their intrinsic value as drama and liter- ature, and at the same time to their adaptability to the needs and limitations of such organizations. The Series, under the personal supervision of Mr. Barrett H. Clark, instructor in the department of Dramatic Literature at Chautauaua, New York, assistant stage manager and actor with Mrs. Fiske (season 1912-1913), now comprises ten volumes, and fifteen more will make their appearance during the year. Eventually there will be plays from ancient Greece and Rome, Italy, Spain, France, Russia, Germany, and the Scandinarian countries, repre- sentative of some of the best drama of all ages and lands. Each volume is prefaced by a concise historical note by Mr. Clark, and with a few suggestions for staging. Plays Now Ready INDIAN SUMMER, a comedy in one act by MEILHAC and HALEVT. This little play, by two of the most famous writers of comedy of the last century, has been played at the Come'die Fran- caise at Paris for upwards of forty years, and remains one of the brightest and most popular works of the period. PRICE 25 GISTS. ROSALIE, by MAX MATTREY. A " Grand Gui^nol " comedy in one act. f all of verve and clever dialogue. Rosalie, the stubborn maid, leads her none too amiable master and mistress into uncomfortable complications by refusing to open the front door to a supposed guest of wealth and influence. PKICE 25 CENTS. MODESTT, by PAUL, HBRVIEU. A delig-htful trifle by one of the most celebrated of living; dramatists. PRICE 25 CENTS. THE ART OF BEING BORED, (Lc Monde, ou Von JEnnuit), a comedy in three acts by EDOUARD PAILLERON. Probably the best- known and most frequently acted comedy of manners in the realm of nineteenth century French drama. It is replete with wit and ccmic situations. For nearly forty years it has held the stag-e, while countless imitators have endeavored to reproduce its fresh- ness and charm. PRICE 25 CEITTS. A MARRIAGE PROPOSAL, by ANTON TCHEKUOFT, & comedy in one act, by one of the greatest of modern Russian writers. This little farce is very popular in Russia, and satirizes the peasants of that country in an amusing manner. PRICE 25 CENTS. THE GREBN COAT, by AUTBED DE MUBSET and EMILE AUGIER. A sliffht and comic character sketch of the life of Bohemian artists in Paris, written by one of France's greatest poets and one of her best-known dramatists. PRICE 25 CENTS. THE WAGER, by GIUSEFPB GIACOSA. This one act poetic comedy, written by the most celebrated dramatist of modern Italy, was the author's first work. It treats of & water made by a proud young- page, who risks his life on the outcome of a fame of chess. PKICK 25 CEJTTS. THE LITTLE SHEPHERDESS, a poetic comedy in one act, by ANDRE RIVOIBE. A charming pastoral sketch by a well-known French poet and dramatist. Played with success at the Come'die Francaise. PRICE 25 CENTS. PHORMIO, a Latin comedy by TERENCE. An up-to-date version of the famous comedy. One of the masterpieces of Latin drama; the story of a father who returns to find that his son has married a slave girl. Phormio, the parasite-villain who causes the numerous comic complications, succeeds in unraveling the difficulties, and all ends happily. PRICE 25 CENTS. THE TWINS, a Latin farce by PLAUTTJS, upon which Shake- speare founded his Comedy of Errors. PRICE 25 CENTS. THE BOOR, by ANTON TOHEKOFF. A well-known farce by the celebrated Russian master; it is concerned with Russian peasants, and portrays with masterly skill the comic side of country life. PRICE 25 CENTS. THE BLACK PEARL, by ViCTORiEN SARDOtr. One of Sardou's most famous comedies of intrigue. A house has, it is thought, been robbed. But through skilful investigation it is found that the havoc wrought has been done by lightning. PRICE 25 CENTS. CHARMING LEANDRE, by THEODORE DE BANVILUB. The author of " Gringoire " is here seen in a poetic vein, yet the French- man's innate sense of humor recalls, in this satirical little play, the genius of Moliere. PRICE 25 CENTS. THE POST-SCRIPTUM, by EMILE AFGIER. Of this one-act comedy Professor Brander Matthews writes: "... one of the brightest and most brilliant little one-act comedies in any language, and to be" warmly recommended to American readers." PRICE 25 CENTS. THE HOUSE OF FOURCHAMBATJLT, by EMILE AUGIER. One of the greatest of recent French family dramas. Although the play is serious in tone, it contains touches which entitle it to a position among the best comedies of manners of the times- PRICB t CENTS. _ O THE DOCTOR IN SPITE OF HIMSELF, by MOLIERE. A famous farce by the greatest of French dramatists. Sganarelle has to be beaten before he will acknowledge that he is a doctor, which he is not. He then works apparently miraculous cures. The play is a sharp satire on the medical profession in the 17th Century. PRIRE 25 CENTS. BRIGNOL AND HIS DAUGHTER, by CAPTJS. The first comedy in English of the most sprightly and satirical of present- day French dramatists. PRICE llftpENTS. CHOOSING A CAREER, by G. A. DE CAILLAVET. Written by one of the authors of " Love Watches." A farce of mistaken identity, full of humorous situations and bright lines. PRICK 26 CENTS. FRENCH WITHOUT A MASTER, by TRISTAN BERNARD. A clever farce by one of the most successful of French dramatists. It is concerned with the difficulties of a bogus-interpreter who does not know a word of French. PRICE 25 CENTS. PATER NOSTER, a poetic play in one act, by FRANCOIS COPPEE. A pathetic incident of the time of the Paris Commune, in 1871. PRICE 25 CENTS. THE ROMANCERS, a comedy in three acts, by EDMOND ROS- TAND. New translation of this celebrated and charming little romantic play by the famous author of "Cyrano de Bergerac " and " Chantecler." PKICE 25 CENTS. THE MERCHANT GENTLEMAN, (Le Bourgeois Gentil- homme;, by MOLIERE. New translation of one of MolieTe's comic masterpieces, a play which is peculiarly well adapted to amateur production. PRICE 50 CENTS. Syracuse, N. Y. Stockton. Calif M202491 THE UNIVERSITY OF CALIFORNIA LIBRARY