Therese Raquin

What’s wrong with you, my child? You haven’t said a word all evening. I beg you, try to be less sad. For the gentlemen’s sake. (THERESE makes a vague gesture.) I know, I know you can’t control sadness… Are you in pain? 

No, I’m just very tired.

If you are in pain, you must say so. It’s not right to suffer without allowing us to look after you. Perhaps you’re getting palpitations? Pains in your chest? 

No… I dont know… its nothing… It’s as if everything in me has gone to sleep.

Dear child… you cause me so much anxiety, with your long silences. You are all I have. 

Are you asking me to forget?

I didn’t say that. I can’t say that… But it is my duty to see if there can be any consolation for you. I mustn’t impose my mourning on you… Tell me, frankly. 

I am so tired.

You must tell me. You spend too much time alone and you are bored, is that it? At your age to be constantly weeping!

I dont understand what your trying to say.

 Nothing. I was just asking. I want to know what’s wrong. I know it can’t be much fun living alone with a sad old woman. I do understand. And your room is so big, so dark and perhaps you want…

I dont want anything.

Listen. Don’t be angry. I know it’s a wicked idea we’ve had but… We’ve thought you should re-marry. 

Me! Never! Never! Why do you doubt me?

I said to them, she can’t have forgotten him, he’s still in her heart… It was they who forced me… And they are right, you see, my child. This house is too sad. Soon everyone will desert us. Oh, you must listen to them. 

Never!

Yes. Re-marry. I can’t remember how they put it…they were so convincing… I did agree with them. I took it upon myself to persuade you… If you like, I’ll call Michaud. He’ll explain much better than I can.

My heart is closed, it wont listen. Please can’t you all leave me in peace? Re-marry, good God, to whom!

They have had a good idea. They have found you someone. Michaud is below right now talking to Laurent. 

Laurent! The person you’ve chosen is Laurent! But i dont love him, dont want to love him.

They are right, I promise you. Laurent is practically one of the family. You know how kind he is, how helpful he is to us. At first, like you, I felt hurt; it seemed wrong. Then, when I thought more about it, I realised that it would be more faithful to Camille’s memory for you to marry his friend, your rescuer. 

But I still weep, still want to weep!

And I am pleading against these tears of yours and against my own… You see, they only want us to be happy. They said I’d have two children, they said it’d surround me with something sweet and joyful to ease the wait for death… I am selfish, I need to see you smile… Do it for me.

My sweet suffering. You know I have always resigned myself, that my only wish was to please you.

Yes, you are a good girl. (Trying to smile.) Next Spring will be my last. We will work out a cosy life together, we three. Laurent will love us both… You know, I’m marrying him too, a little… You will lend him to me for my little errands, for my old woman’s whims.

Dear aunt… I was so sure you would let me weep in peace.

You give your consent, yes? 

Yes.