The stage represents a large Gothic vestibule. The door of the chapel is seen at the back. Preparations for the celebration can be seen.
BRIGITTE
(approaching stealthily)
Scop! Scop!
SCOP
(asleep)
Ah! Who goes there? I’m here. What’s wrong?
BRIGITTE
Our master is going to return, it’s day. I wish that he may find everything ready for the ceremony.
SCOP
It won’t be difficult. Everything’s been done since yesterday evening. It’s strange, they tell us–hurry up, decorate the chapel, get the Chaplain to come–and then the intended and the brother-in-law go to Marsden and don’t come back.
BRIGITTE
The violent storm which took place last night doubtless prevented them from returning. But the sea is calm. At daybreak, boats can be seen leaving the shore. They can’t delay being here. I’ve just announced it to my mistress who appeared to me to be very impatient.
SCOP
Right–we’ll finally see this wedding. I’ll go
inform everybody and wake up all our sleepers.
Exit Scop. Enter Oscar dressed as a monk.
BRIGITTE
Now we are alone. Approach, venerable monk. No one can hear us. They tell me you possess the power of conjuring spirits and reading the future.
OSCAR
They didn’t deceive you.
BRIGITTE
You know why I wanted this meeting.
OSCAR
To calm your uneasiness about the fate of a mistress that you love.
BRIGITTE
Astonishing man. I believe in your art. Tell, tell what you know.
OSCAR
If you love your mistress, listen and profit. Before the needle has reached the first hour of night, get Miss Aubrey away from this castle. A great danger threatens her.
BRIGITTE
Just Heaven! The fear that I experienced was, then, an inspiration from Heaven?
OSCAR
Innocence and beauty no longer have refuge here. This country is inhabited by powerful creatures. The earth of Staffa is fecund in prodigies.
BRIGITTE
I tremble–and Sir Aubrey scorns my advice!
OSCAR
The moment approaches when he will receive terrible punishment for his incredulity.
BRIGITTE
Great God! Will he be in danger of perishing?
OSCAR
No, you will see him soon. But you’ll have trouble recognizing him. He’ll be agitated like a madman, overwhelmed by the weight of a terrible uncertainty, his speech will be tied and his words seem unintelligible. At these stages you will recognize the truth of my advice.
OSCAR (cont’d)
Woman, I repeat to you: get Miss Aubrey away from here.
BRIGITTE
But what to do, today?
OSCAR
All danger will cease as soon as the castle clock strikes one.
BRIGITTE
One o’clock and it’s only six. They’re coming. Go away so they don’t surprise us together. I will follow your advice. But in the name of Heaven, don’t leave the castle. I need you to explain these terrifying things to me. We will see each other again.
OSCAR
I will stay.
He exits. Brigitte is now alone.
BRIGITTE
He makes me tremble with his predictions. The removal of Sir Aubrey and Milord who left us alone in this castle–there, if I am not mistaken, is the cause of the danger.
Malvina enters.
MALVINA
Brigitte, I was looking for you. I need you to make you share in my joy.
BRIGITTE
My darling mistress, this is not the moment to be gay. The absence of Sir Aubrey–
MALVINA
Don’t be uneasy any longer. Ruthven just told me that my brother is going to arrive.
BRIGITTE
My Lord is here?
MALVINA
Can you imagine? Opening the window to my room which gives on the flower beds–he was the first person I noticed. He was gathering this enormous bouquet. He ran to present it to me and he’s coming to rejoin me here for the ceremony which he is burning to complete. We have to leave for London right away.
BRIGITTE
This very morning?
(aside)
What good luck!
MALVINA
Yes, he explained to me the reason for this prompt departure. He’s been warned the King intends to surprise him and is awaiting him to make him marry a lady of the court that he doesn’t love. He has no other way of avoiding this order than to present me to the King with the title of his wife.
BRIGITTE
And we are leaving this morning?
(aside)
Come, there’s a reason to get away which prevents me from finding another.
(aloud)
Let’s hurry, Miss. I’m indeed in a hurry to leave this castle. I think I’ll die of it.
MALVINA
What are you saying? This place displeases you to that degree?
BRIGITTE
Ah! Great Gods! Listen, I’d really like to tell you. But no, if you knew–it’s impossible. But, I’m running to make the preparations for departure. They’re coming. Doubtless it’s Milord. Hurry the ceremony. I’ll rejoin you in a moment, Miss.
Brigitte exits, Aubrey enters.
MALVINA
Ah! It’s you, brother, you came opportunely. Have you met Milord?
AUBREY
Milord–Alas!
MALVINA
What a sad air you have. What has happened to you?
AUBREY
To me, nothing.
(aside)
How to break this terrible news to her?
MALVINA
Everything is ready for our marriage. Milord has doubtless told you the important reasons which force us to leave for London this very morning. This speed at first frightened me, but if you will accompany us–Ah! What a charming trip. You aren’t listening to me–you’re sighing–what’s wrong with you?
AUBREY
Ah, sister, let’s no longer think of this marriage.
MALVINA
What are you saying? After all the oaths taken. Didn’t you yourself forge these chains? Alas! That was yesterday. But today–what? Could you have taken back your word without consulting me?
AUBREY
It’s not I. It’s Ruthven–yesterday evening–
MALVINA
Impossible. Just now even, at my feet, he swore our eternal love, and pressed me to hasten our union.
AUBREY
What? What’s this, my sister? Your wits are wandering!
MALVINA
What I tell you is so strange?
AUBREY
(stupefied)
Ruthven you say, spoke to you just now?
MALVINA
Why this astonishment? What’s wrong with you? What are your new plans? Speak! Speak! Speak!
AUBREY
One of the two of us is delirious. I who saw him perish, the unfortunate man.
MALVINA
(with a smile)
Perish! Ah!
AUBREY
Do the tombs reject their prey?
MALVINA
(uneasy)
But brother, the trouble you are in, these incomprehensible words, in the name of Heaven–instruct me in everything.
AUBREY
You wish to know everything: well, summon up all your courage; if your heart felt love–prepare yourself for the most horrifying news.
MALVINA
You overwhelm me! Indeed, he delays appearing. My anxiety grows with each moment.
AUBREY
Since I have to resolve to break your heart. Know that all my plans have been blasted. A terrible event, unexpected, has deprived us– me of a friend, you of a spouse–the unfortunate Ruthven...
Ruthven suddenly enters and seizes Aubrey’s arm.
RUTHVEN
(speaking in a terrible voice)
Think of your oath!
Aubrey recoils.
AUBREY
(stunned)
Great Gods! It’s a ghost!
MALVINA
(terrified)
My dear Aubrey, is it possible?
RUTHVEN
Tremble to say a word.
AUBREY
Flee! Get away! You are only a lying spectre. Go, I don’t wish to see you. My friend is dead.
RUTHVEN
Aubrey, come to yourself, I beg you, in the name of friendship.
AUBREY
You are trying to imitate his voice. It’s in vain.
MALVINA
Oh Heaven. Is it possible?
AUBREY
Ruthven was pierced by a mortal blow before my eyes. You are not Ruthven. Where is your wound? Is it still bloody? Show it.
MALVINA
His reason is lost.
RUTHVEN
My friend, look at me, touch my brow. I am Ruthven.
AUBREY
Get away, phantom–sister, hide yourself from the pursuit of this monster. He will tell you he is your spouse. Refuse your oath. This marriage is a curse.
RUTHVEN
His condition is disturbing. Hey there! Scop! Brigitte!
AUBREY
My sister, believe me. The spouse I destined for you is lost to you. Last night Edgar surprised him–it’s his fiancée–
RUTHVEN
(aside to Aubrey, in a terrible voice)
Aubrey! Remember your oath.
The Servants enter. Ruthven gives them a sign to take Aubrey away. They seize him.
AUBREY
What do you want with me? Why do you seize me, wretches?
MALVINA
Stop! What are you doing?
RUTHVEN
His condition requires help.
Ruthven explains to them that Aubrey is mad.
AUBREY
Sister, swear to me to preserve your liberty until the moment that bronze has struck one o’clock.
RUTHVEN
(shivering, aside)
One o’clock.
(aloud)
My friends, lead him to his apartment. Lavish on him all the help of the art.
AUBREY
Sister–until one o’clock.
MALVINA
Ah! My God! My God! My poor brother!
Pantomime during which the Servants lead Aubrey off.
RUTHVEN
That dear Aubrey. What a shame!
MALVINA
His condition alarms me! What do you want to say?
RUTHVEN
How often I’ve pitied him for being subject to disorders of the mind.
MALVINA
Truly? I’ve never noticed.
RUTHVEN
I witnessed them several times in the course of our voyages, and they happened to him almost always at the end of spirited opposition. His soul, you know, is open to strong impressions, and his imagination is sparked by deep reflections and exalted thoughts, which sometimes trouble his reason.
MALVINA
You think so?
RUTHVEN
I attest to it.
MALVINA
MALVINA
To believe it, I need for you to affirm it to me, for what he said was so astonishing–and so cruel–that my heart is still shivering. This
marriage is a curse!
RUTHVEN
Malvina, you must banish–
MALVINA
Pardon, but Aubrey has served as my father and I have for him all the friendship that nature and gratitude can inspire.
RUTHVEN
I am far from reproaching you, but still, Malvina, if you love me–
MALVINA
Ah! If you suspect that, how unhappy I will be.
RUTHVEN
It’s the only misfortune that I fear in this world. On your love depends my repose, my happiness, all my destiny. On your love depends my life. Swear to me then to forget vain terrors and to be forever mine–mine alone!
MALVINA
I swear by the God who can read my soul.
RUTHVEN
O joy! Then it’s done–you are mine–your hand, your heart, all your being belongs to me.
Receive the sacred ring which engages you to me forever.
MALVINA
Ah! Give it to me.
She offers him her hand.
RUTHVEN
(with a ferocious smile)
You are shivering. What’s the matter with you?
MALVINA
I am agitated by an unfamiliar feeling. It has–I don’t know what–something about it that’s so sad. My eyes are filling with bitter tears. My heart is breaking and I still hear him. “Sister, at one o’clock, you will learn this fatal secret.”
RUTHVEN
(shivering)
Great Gods! If the hour should strike!
(aloud)
Malvina, think no more of these vain dreams of a wandering imagination. Let’s hasten to consecrate the bonds which unite us. All must be prepared for the ceremony. Remember what you have promised me, and don’t wander off–we are going to march to the altar.
Ruthven leaves excitedly and meets Brigitte who he orders by gesture to watch over Malvina.
Brigitte, terrified by Ruthven’s appearance, turns away.
MALVINA
How I am moved! The approach of this ceremony causes me a troubling astonishment. I can hardly breathe. This moment is going to decide my future. Oh! But I will be happy. I have the sweetest presentiment of it.
BRIGITTE
(aside)
Poor Miss, how distracted she is. Ah, when one is marrying for the first time, it’s natural.
MALVINA
Oh, yes, I will be happy.
BRIGITTE
(aside)
Well, I don’t know, that man has taken on for some time an extraordinary appearance. As for me, I wouldn’t marry him.
Malvina is pensive for a while. Brigitte coughs to be heard.
MALVINA
Ah, it’s you, my maid!
BRIGITTE
I didn’t dare speak to you–tell me, Miss, what’s going on in this castle. What’s happened to your brother?
MALVINA
Alas, I cannot tell you.
BRIGITTE
He’s agitated, he runs, he stops, he talks of you. It’s like an access of madness. Here, Miss, would you like to know what I think?
(in a low voice)
I think he’s possessed by an evil spirit.
MALVINA
Don’t think that!
BRIGITTE
Hmm! Hmm! As for you, you don’t believe it. Still, I don’t wish it on him, but I much fear it. That poor Sir Aubrey. He affects me. They are taking all the care in the world to protect him. He wants to leave. He asked more than ten times what time it was. I went to see–and it’s like a doom. The castle clock has stopped since this morning.
MALVINA
The clock has stopped and he’s waiting for one o’clock to disclose to me his secret. Well, what did you do?
BRIGITTE
When I told him, he went into a rage. I ran to warn the concierge.
MALVINA
What a confusion of strange events.
BRIGITTE
Ah! I am all atremble. I am really afraid that this day will finish badly–
MALVINA
Brigitte! The day of my marriage–
BRIGITTE
Ah, pardon, my good mistress. I afflict you. Pardon, I no longer know what I’m saying. Don’t pay attention to me.
Solemn music announcing the ceremony. The back of the stage opens. It’s a great portiere and allows the chapel to be seen lit up. Servants place cushions and some vessels at her knees. It creates a solemn tableau.
RUTHVEN
Come, Madame. Come, bring my happiness to completion.
MALVINA
I follow you, Lord.
BRIGITTE
My God, what’s going to happen?
RUTHVEN
(with the most noticeable impatience)
Well! Why tarry longer?
(turning)
Where then is the chaplain? Run, find him. Let him be brought to me instantly.
A SERVANT
Here he is, Milord.
He appears dressed in his awesome costume.
RUTHVEN
Come, Malvina. Heaven awaits your oath.
He takes her hand.
Great uproar is heard outside and Aubrey shouting “Sister! Sister!” Everyone stops. Aubrey runs in, followed by Servants who seize him.
RUTHVEN
Good Heavens! It’s Aubrey.
AUBREY
Release me! Release me! My sister–where is she? I want to see her. Give me back my sister. Are you going to let her sacrifice herself?
MALVINA
My brother, don’t you recognize your Malvina anymore?
AUBREY
I heard her voice.
She extends her arms to him.
AUBREY (cont’d)
Ah! It’s you? Are you still my sister? Hear me, I’ve recovered my reason.
RUTHVEN
The madman! Malvina, don’t listen to him, come–
MALVINA
Pity!
AUBREY
Stop! Don’t follow him. He’s leading you to the tomb. This priest is a minister of death. These torches are funeral torches.
RUTHVEN
Malvina, follow me!
AUBREY
(throwing himself at his feet)
Barbarian! I forbid her. You have no rights over her–and as for me, I am her brother!
ALL
(to Ruthven)
Milord! Milord!
RUTHVEN
I am not listening to any of this. This woman is mine. This lunatic wants to ravish her from me.
MALVINA
No, no–
RUTHVEN
Can’t you see he’s in a delirium?
AUBREY
(forcefully)
You are mistaken. In an instant the time will release me from my oath and I can tell all.
He pulls Malvina back. Ruthven seizes him by the hair.
RUTHVEN
Wretch! If you utter a word–
With his other hand, he tries to drag Malvina who resists; then, he draws his dagger.
AUBREY
You’ll have to bathe it in my blood.
RUTHVEN
Both of you will perish!
Ruthven goes to stab Aubrey when one o’clock strikes. Malvina faints into the arms of Brigitte. Thunder rolls.
RUTHVEN
Nothingness! Nothingness!
Ruthven’s raised arm falls. The lightning flashes. The rear of the stage opens revealing the shades of the Vampire victims. They are young women covered by veils.
They pursue him, pointing to their breasts from which blood still flows from the wounds. At that moment, the angel of love crosses the stage in a luminous chariot.
ALL
(seized by fright)
Oh Heaven!
Thunder rolls more strongly and lightning strikes the Vampire who is consumed.
CURTAIN.