Page:The thirty-six dramatic situations (1921).djvu/97

 TWENTY-EIGHTH SITUATION 95 "II Re Pastore" by Metastasio; and other pieces without number. The lovers will die if separated, so they assure us. We see them make no preparations to do so, but the spectator is good enough to take their word for it; the ardors, the "braises" - to use the exact language of the "grand siecle" -and other nervous phenomena in hypo- chondriacs of this sort cannot but offer some interest — not, however, for long. (2) The Same Case, Complicated by an Imagi- nary Marriage of the Beloved Object: - - "Les Bleus de l'Amour" (Coolus, 1911). D (1) -A Free Union Impeded by the Opposition of Relatives:--"^ Divorce" (Bourget, 1908); "Les Lys" (Wolf and Leroux, 1908). (2) - Family Affection Disturbed by the Parents- in-Law: - "Le Roman d'Elise" (Richard, 1885); "Le Poussin" (Guiraud, 1908). E - By the Incompatibility of Temper of the Lovers: "Montmartre" (Frondaie, 1911). "Les Angles du Divorce" (Biollay) belongs both to E and to D 2. F Love- bui enough of this! What are we doing, co-spectators in this hall, before this pretended situation? Upon the stage are our two young people, locked in close embraces or conventionally attitudinizing in purely theat- rical poses. Wha1 is there in all this worth remaining for? Let us leave it. . . What, Madame, you straighten yourself in your chair and crane your neck in excitement over the gesticulations of the "jeune premier?" Bui his sweetheart there beside him have you forgotten that il is she whom he desires, or are the two of them playing so badly, is their dialogue so little natural that you forget the Story enacted and fondly imagine yourself listening to a monologue a declaration addressed to you alone? And Monsieur there, With mouth open, eyes starting from his head, following with avidity every movement of the actress's lithe figure! Quick, nrj good man, another will be before you 1 Be consistent, a1 least! Spring upon the stage, break the insipid dandy's bones, and take his place!