Act 4 — ACT IV.

Scene.—Garden belonging to the Countess. Lustucru enters with a large bag and heavy cane.

Lustucru (meditatively). At length my decision is made. Moumouth, the charming cat, shall go into this bag, and I, Lustucru, shall beat him to death. Ah! he shall not escape me again. Michel goes for a walk; I seize Moumouth; I tie him in this bag; and then—oh, then he shall die. I could fly for joy when I think of it. Michel will not have her five hundred francs, and perhaps she will be discharged. Dearest Moumouth, how grateful I ought to be to you for bringing me such joy!

Solo.—Lustucru.

Tune—"Then you'll remember me." Bohemian Girl. Balfe.

When other cats and other pets Around me sweetly rove, When other objects dear to me, Appeal unto my love, At such times then will my heart, In joyful throbbing be, Turned thankfully to Moumouth dead: Oh! I'll remember thee— Oh! I'll remember, I'll remember thee!

[Exit Lustucru. Enter almost immediately Michel attired for a walk.]

Michel. I thought I heard Lustucru here? Well, I was mistaken. I was going to leave Moumouth in his care—but no matter. Moumouth rests peacefully under yon lilac bush. Dear Cat, how sweet is his repose! I will sing softly as I go; so perchance in his dreams he may hear my song.

Solo.—Michel.

Tune—"Serenade to Ida." Weingand.

Softly shadows creep and linger Where my Moumouth lies asleep; And ye flowers that nod and blossom, Over him your vigils keep. Guard well my slumbering Moumouth; Let no evil harm or pain, And let him but wake from dreaming, To sleep and dream again— Dream on!

[Exit slowly. A fearful cat howling is heard without. Enter Lustucru, bag in hand, full of Moumouth, and a club in the other.]

Lustucru. At last! at last! Moumouth, you jewel, you angel. You refuse cold water diet and hash, but a beating you never refused yet. Beets are good enough, too, in their way, and you shall soon be a "dead beat." But first let me rejoice awhile. [Moumouth struggles in the bag.] Ah! you do not like being shut up in a bag? Then we will have to hasten affairs. One, two, three, and away we go. One, two— [Raises stick. Mother Michel is heard without, calling "Moumouth!" Lustucru drops his stick, dumfounded.]

Michel (without). Moumouth! Moumouth! Surely I heard Moumouth somewhere. [Entering.] Ah, Father Lustucru, have you— [In amazement.]. Why, what have you in that bag?

Lustucru. I—I was—beating a little meal, or corn—out—that—

Michel (sternly). Lustucru, that bag has something alive in it. Moumouth, where are you? [Moumouth mews in the bag.] Traitor [flying at Lustucru and grasping the bag], thou art unmasked.

Lustucru (dropping on his knees). Mercy, mercy, my good Michel—my sweet Michel.

Michel (swinging aloft the bag). Then you have endeavored to kill him all along? The hash was—

Lustucru. Poisoned. Oh, forgive me. And I tried to drown him! Oh, forgive me. I'll never do it again.

Michel. Ah, doubly dyed traitor! the Countess returns to-morrow, and then stern justice shall reign. Moumouth, rejoice. Victory, victory is ours. [Swings empty[1] bag over Lustucru's head, while Moumouth is held in her arms.]

Duo.—Lustucru and Michel singing together.

Tune—"On yonder rock reclining." Fra Diavolo. Auber.

Lustucru.

Oh! pity me, I pray, Nor let thy wrath on me descend; Let my prayers move thy heart, And mercy for me bend. Your cat my rage inviting, By tricks and ways so cute and skilled, I could not see alive and well, And so I wished him killed. Mercy! mercy! Bend thy righteous pride: The cat is well and healthy now— Oh, would that he had died! [Repeat last two lines.]

Michel.

On your knees now bending, Justice shall be fully shown; And my rage sternly descending, You shall for this atone. My heart you've caused to tremble, With anxious fears and doubts assailed: You would have killed my Cat had he Been one-lived as he is one-tailed. Tremble! tremble! Traitor doubly dyed, You shall feel the pressure rare of my angry pride. [Repeat last two lines.]

[Quick curtain, while Michel waves the bag and cat in triumph over Lustucru's head.]