Produced by Dagny and Frank J. Morlock This Etext is for private use only. No republication for profit in print or other media may be made without the express consent of the Copyright Holder. The Copyright Holder is especially concerned about performance rights in any media on stage, cinema, or television, or audio or any other media, including readings for which an entrance fee or the like is charge. Permissions should be addressed to: Frank Morlock, 6006 Greenbelt Rd, #312, Greenbelt, MD 20770, USA or frankmorlock@msn.com. Other works by this author may be found at http://www.cadytech.com/dumas/personnage.asp?key=130 THE FORFEITURE by Dufresny translated and adapted by Frank J. Morlock CHARACTERS: GERONTE, father of Isabelle ISABELLE, lover of Valere BELISE, Valere's older aunt ARAMINTE, her younger sister VALERE, nephew of Belise and Araminte FRONTIN, Valere's valet A Lackey 4 men, 3 women (Enter Isabelle and Valere from opposite directions without seeing each other) VALERE: What! Unable to reason with my two aunts! ISABELLE: I can never return. What extravagants! VALERE: Yes, the more I think of it the less I see of a way out. ISABELLE: To have such revolting procedures for a nephew. VALERE: We shall get nothing out of it. ISABELLE: Oh Gods! VALERE: Cruel Aunts. For more than ten years always new injustices. ISABELLE: (seeing each other) What unpleasantness-- But-- VALERE: What cruelty! To be desolated side by side without finding any way to placate these crazies. ISABELLE: My father has spoken sharply to them and is going to threaten them again, separately. For each stays in her own apartment. VALERE: Yes, from the little I see the two avoid each other, speak only a few words in passing and leave each other. As for me, when I am speaking to them they turn their backs. Their hardness towards me appears on every occasion. ISABELLE: Their hardness towards you condemns them. Ah, Valere, they push their ill natures too far. To not love you! VALERE: I hoped that through you, my two aunts would do something for us, and that having seen you, adorable Isabelle, they could be counted on. ISABELLE: Their barbarity is such that they speak of you with aversion. VALERE: What unpleasant spirits not to approve my tender passion. ISABELLE: To be capable of hating Valere. Their evil hearts make me tremble. I despair over it. VALERE: Your father is still going to press them. Thus we may still hope. He's going to meet us here. ISABELLE: Yes, give us at least a moment of hope. But I am indignant when I think of their latest remarks. VALERE: You should count on them for they showed you a hundred signs of friendship yesterday.