He Who Gets Slapped Part 18

CONSUELO

Bezano? Bezano? No--it's nonsense. [_Pause; silence._] What a beautiful costume you have, HE. You invented it yourself?

HE

Jim helped me.

CONSUELO

Jim is so nice! All clowns are nice.

HE

I am wicked.

CONSUELO

[_Laughs_]: You? You are the nicest of all. Oh, goodness! Three acts more! This is the second on now. Alfred and I are in the third. Are you coming to see me?

HE

I always do. How beautiful you are, Consuelo.

CONSUELO

Like Eve? [_Smiles._]

HE

Yes, Consuelo. And if the Baron asks you to be his wife, will you accept?

CONSUELO

Certainly, HE. That's all Father and I are waiting for. Father told me yesterday that the Baron will not hesitate very long. Of course I do not love him. But I will be his honest, faithful wife. Father wants to teach me to play the piano.

HE

Are those your own words--"his honest, faithful wife"?

CONSUELO

Certainly they are mine. Whose could they be? He loves me so much, the poor thing. Dear HE, what does "love" mean? Everybody speaks of love--love--Zinida, too! Poor Zinida! What a boring evening this has been! HE, did you paint the laughter on your face yourself?

HE

My own self, dear little Consuelo----

CONSUELO

How do you do it, all of you? I tried once, but couldn't do a thing. Why are there no women clowns? Why are you so silent, HE? You, too, are sad, to-night.

HE

No, I am happy to-night. Give me your hand, Consuelo, I want to see what it says.

CONSUELO

Do you know how? What a talented man you are! Read it, but don't _lie_, like a gypsy. [_He goes down on one knee and takes her hand. Both bend over it._] Am I lucky?

HE

Yes, lucky. But wait a minute--this line here--funny. Ah, Consuelo, what does it say, here! [_Acting_] I tremble, my eyes do not dare to read the strange, fatal signs. Consuelo--

CONSUELO

The stars are talking.

HE

Yes, the stars are talking. Their voices are distant and terrible; their rays are pale, and their shadows slip by, like the ghosts of dead virgins--their spell is upon thee, Consuelo, beautiful Consuelo. Thou standest at the door of Eternity.

CONSUELO

I don't understand. Does it mean that I will live long?

HE

This line--how far it goes. Strange! Thou wilt live eternally, Consuelo.

CONSUELO

You see, HE, you did tell me a lie, just like a gypsy!

HE

But it is written--here, silly--and here. Now think of what the stars are saying. Here you have eternal life, love, and glory; and here, listen to what Jupiter says. He says: "G.o.ddess, thou must not belong to any one born on earth," and if you marry the Baron--you'll perish, you'll die, Consuelo. [_Consuelo laughs._]

CONSUELO

Will he eat me?

HE

No. But you will die before he has time to eat you.

CONSUELO

And what will become of Father? Is there nothing about him here?