Translated by John Pollock A second version of Maternity was lately undertaken by M. Brieux. It differs in so many respects from the original one performed in England by the Stage Society, that it has been decided to include both versions in this volume. That which follows is the later one, and is presented by its author as the final form of the play. ACT I _Brignac’s drawing room. An octagonal room, five sides of which are visible. Right, the door of Brignac’s study, and beyond it the mantelpiece, in front of which are armchairs and a marquetry table with seats round it. At the back the door of the bedroom, which, being opened, shews the bed. Left, the door into the hall, then that of Annette’s room, and beyond, a large window with a piano and music stool in front of it. In the corners at the back, on both sides, flowers in stands. The room is pretty and comfortable, without being luxurious. At the rise of the curtain the stage is empty. The door, left, opens, and Josephine, the maid, shews in Madeleine, a woman of twentyeight._ JOSEPHINE. Madame Brignac must be there. I’ll tell her. _She goes across to the door at the back and disappears. After a moment Lucie enters. She is twentyfive years old, and her simple, but becoming, dress contrasts with her elder sister’s exquisite and fashionable appearance._ LUCIE [_going gaily to Madeleine and kissing her_] My dear, how are you? MADELEINE. Lucie, sweet! LUCIE. How ravishing you look! MADELEINE. One must, to please one’s husband. Tell me—but first, how are the children? LUCIE. About as usual. MADELEINE. I’ve a piece of good news. You know Dr. Hourtin? LUCIE. No, no; I don’t think so. MADELEINE. Yes; you do. The famous Hourtin, you know. The man they call Providence for nervous diseases. LUCIE. Oh yes, yes. MADELEINE. Dr. Bar wanted to have a consultation with him about your children, didn’t he? LUCIE. Of course; I know. MADELEINE. I’ve just met him at the Parmillets’. LUCIE. What, he’s at Chartres! MADELEINE. He’s going to see his brother somewhere or other not far off, and so he came through Chartres to visit the wonderful cave. In the one week since they found it he must be at least the twentieth man of science to come and pore over these old prehistoric bones. LUCIE. But I thought he was a specialist for— MADELEINE. Yes; the skeletons are just a relaxation. LUCIE. Oh! Well— MADELEINE. He’s a great friend of the Parmillets. So as I had the chance, I asked him to come here, and he said he would. LUCIE. But the children are with their granny in the country. MADELEINE. Oh, dear. Couldn’t you send for them? LUCIE. Yes, certainly. But when is Dr. Hourtin going? MADELEINE. At five o’clock. He wanted to go to his brother first. LUCIE. There’d hardly be time. MADELEINE. No. Suppose we were to ask him to come this evening on his way back? LUCIE. Do you think he would? MADELEINE. Oh, yes; he’s a charming man.