Scene IV
All characters are gathered around a carriage lying on its side. The horses have run off and items are strewn about. An imposing female figure emerges from the carriage.
Father: (Standing beside Carmilla’s “mother” who completely ignores him) The nearest villages are miles and miles from here. Please, I encourage you to spend the night at our schloss. It is already so late, and you can leave as early as you wish, come morning.(Carmilla, who is unconscious, is lifted out of carriage and laid down. Laura’s father checks her pulse.) She is alive, though weak.
Mother: (Displaying care for Carmilla) Such calamity surrounds me. I am on a journey of life and death, and every minute takes its toll. I dare not think what an hour could do. In an hour I could lose everything! My daughter, she won’t recover well enough within these few minutes to bear the strains of traveling. I have no choice, but to leave her. No choice. I don’t know how long I shall be gone. Sir, how far is the nearest village? I have no choice but to leave her there. It is my best option, and I tell you, I’m not given many. I shall not see or hear of her until I return three months from now.
Laura: (tugging on his arm sleeve) Oh father, please let her stay. It would be so lovely, and I need company in my time of grief. Oh, will you let her stay?
Father: If her mother, Madame, will consent to entrust us, and Madame Perrodon, with her care. She will be our guest. We will take it as an obligation, a duty, to care for her so carefully as such trust would deserve.
Mother: Sir, I cannot do that. I don’t wish at all to impose on your hospitality nor take advantage of your chivalry and generosity so cruelly. It may be more of an undertaking than you could imagine.
Father: Nonsense, in fact, it would be equally beneficial to us. My daughter has been subject to misfortune, when she had anticipated happiness, and I think a companion would do her well. I think it may provide consolation, if not, it would still take her mind off of what is troubling her. The nearest village is distant, and cannot provide the necessary care, not to mention the risks involved in traveling there. I swear, on your limited terms, there is no better place than here to trust with your beloved daughter.
(Without another word, Carmilla’s mother enters the now upright carriage, and throws Carmilla a nasty glance, which really contrasts with her previous attitude towards her. She beckons Laura’s father to come over, and speaks with him. He does not perceive her change in behavior. They speak for a few minutes before she exits the carriage and kisses Carmilla hastily before quickly exiting. All watch as the carriage leaves)
Carmilla: (looking around) Where is mamma?
Perrodon: You fainted, but don’t worry, we’ll care for you. Please, take some time to adjust, you just woke up, and that was quite the crash.
Carmilla: Where am I? The carriage is gone...where’s Matska? Where is she?
Perrodon: You’re in Styria, a part of Austria. You’re surrounded by deep, dark, beautiful forests for miles around. You’ll be staying with us in our scholl, because your mother had an urgent journey to leave on. The carriage had crashed. Although I’m sorry you were injured, everyone else was unscathed, so you needn’t worry about them. I’m afraid she had to leave quickly, on some journey or another. Your health would not allow you to continue along with her. I’m sorry you slept through your own mother’s leaving, but she seemed to really care for you. She’ll back for you, and although it may be three months, we will try our best to make you comfortable and to help you regain your strength. (At mention of three months time, Carmilla begins to cry, Laura tries to go towards her, but is stopped by LaFontaine)
LaFontaine: Don’t bother her. I know you mean well, but she’s weak right now and has had a lot placed on her. Very little excitement would overwhelm her. For now, we must only greet her one at a time, and even then give her time to adjust. We shouldn’t force her to converse so soon.
All characters are gathered around a carriage lying on its side. The horses have run off and items are strewn about. An imposing female figure emerges from the carriage.
Father: (Standing beside Carmilla’s “mother” who completely ignores him) The nearest villages are miles and miles from here. Please, I encourage you to spend the night at our schloss. It is already so late, and you can leave as early as you wish, come morning.(Carmilla, who is unconscious, is lifted out of carriage and laid down. Laura’s father checks her pulse.) She is alive, though weak.
Mother: (Displaying care for Carmilla) Such calamity surrounds me. I am on a journey of life and death, and every minute takes its toll. I dare not think what an hour could do. In an hour I could lose everything! My daughter, she won’t recover well enough within these few minutes to bear the strains of traveling. I have no choice, but to leave her. No choice. I don’t know how long I shall be gone. Sir, how far is the nearest village? I have no choice but to leave her there. It is my best option, and I tell you, I’m not given many. I shall not see or hear of her until I return three months from now.
Laura: (tugging on his arm sleeve) Oh father, please let her stay. It would be so lovely, and I need company in my time of grief. Oh, will you let her stay?
Father: If her mother, Madame, will consent to entrust us, and Madame Perrodon, with her care. She will be our guest. We will take it as an obligation, a duty, to care for her so carefully as such trust would deserve.
Mother: Sir, I cannot do that. I don’t wish at all to impose on your hospitality nor take advantage of your chivalry and generosity so cruelly. It may be more of an undertaking than you could imagine.
Father: Nonsense, in fact, it would be equally beneficial to us. My daughter has been subject to misfortune, when she had anticipated happiness, and I think a companion would do her well. I think it may provide consolation, if not, it would still take her mind off of what is troubling her. The nearest village is distant, and cannot provide the necessary care, not to mention the risks involved in traveling there. I swear, on your limited terms, there is no better place than here to trust with your beloved daughter.
(Without another word, Carmilla’s mother enters the now upright carriage, and throws Carmilla a nasty glance, which really contrasts with her previous attitude towards her. She beckons Laura’s father to come over, and speaks with him. He does not perceive her change in behavior. They speak for a few minutes before she exits the carriage and kisses Carmilla hastily before quickly exiting. All watch as the carriage leaves)
Carmilla: (looking around) Where is mamma?
Perrodon: You fainted, but don’t worry, we’ll care for you. Please, take some time to adjust, you just woke up, and that was quite the crash.
Carmilla: Where am I? The carriage is gone...where’s Matska? Where is she?
Perrodon: You’re in Styria, a part of Austria. You’re surrounded by deep, dark, beautiful forests for miles around. You’ll be staying with us in our scholl, because your mother had an urgent journey to leave on. The carriage had crashed. Although I’m sorry you were injured, everyone else was unscathed, so you needn’t worry about them. I’m afraid she had to leave quickly, on some journey or another. Your health would not allow you to continue along with her. I’m sorry you slept through your own mother’s leaving, but she seemed to really care for you. She’ll back for you, and although it may be three months, we will try our best to make you comfortable and to help you regain your strength. (At mention of three months time, Carmilla begins to cry, Laura tries to go towards her, but is stopped by LaFontaine)
LaFontaine: Don’t bother her. I know you mean well, but she’s weak right now and has had a lot placed on her. Very little excitement would overwhelm her. For now, we must only greet her one at a time, and even then give her time to adjust. We shouldn’t force her to converse so soon.