“A wealthy merchant named Maurice, had just lost all his last cargo at sea. He was now ruined. One of his wealthy neighbors came to see him with an idea in her mind ...”
Adélaïde : My dear Maurice, how unfortunate this whole affair is ! A friend of mine also finds herself without money, with her two daughters, and they are not the first choices, If you know what I mean... Anyway, now her step daughter, who she had presented to me as her maid, is now queen in one of the realms close to us, can you imagine such things ? And in your situation, getting your daughters married is essential ! Do you realize What do three girls represent when you have no money ? Hopefully my son greatly appreciates your younger daughter so she would no longer be a burden on you, that goes without saying ! She has a little " je ne sais quoi " and a lot of grace.
Maurice : I don't think that my daughter will..
Adélaïde : Say how lucky she is ? Of course, all in good time my dear.
In the next room, Isabelle the youngest daughter of Maurice and her two sisters Aglaé and Eugenie were going about their business, when suddenly the Marquis le Bel arrived, the son of Adélaïde.
Beau : Where is Belle ?
Eugénie : What ? You mean Isabelle ? There she is, but I’m here if you want...
Beau : Oh there you are ! Belle you are the most beautiful girl in the town, and you are almost as beautiful as me so will you do me the honor of being my wife ?
Isabelle : Beau this is very kind of you, but I prefer stay with my dad he needs my help, maybe you can marry one of my sisters ?
But the Marquis was not a man to who you say no. So he took Isabelle and the forced her to kiss him. Disgusted by the arrogance of this man Isabelle slapped him.
Isabelle : How dare you ? I will never marry a man who is violent with me ?
Beau : How dare you push me away? Who do you think you are? You will marry me whether you like it or not !
Adélaïde : What on earth is all that noises ?!
Beau : She doesn’t want to marry me, mother ! Well I was wrong about her ! See Maurice why she shouldn't read so much, her head is full of non sense ! As for you Maurice you will be poor and die of illness, and you Isabelle, you think that you are so pretty you can reject my son, listen to my words even the most beautiful flower fades ! What insolence ! A poor girl, who spurns my son ! What an ingrate child ! Come on Beau, we don't care about these people !
Isabelle : I want to marry someone who respect me, and loves me for what I am and does not see on me just a beautiful girl, you ratchet old hag !
At this words Adélaïde slammed the door.
Eugénie : Idiot ! It was our last chance!
Aglaé : By your fault we will no longer be able to appear in society !
Isabelle : Father, I’m so sorry.. I can't let you alone, and I can’t married someone I don’t love.
Maurice : Oh Belle, I knew it would end like this, but I never thought Adelaide would behave like this. We're going to have to sell the mansion, and probably a lot of the furniture.
Eugénie : I don't want to sell my dresses, Isabelle may be enjoying herself dress like a peasant girl, but neither me nor Aglaé are going to adopt peasant fashion !
Aglaé : No way ! Indeed ! That’s her fault !
Maurice : It’s not Belle’s fault, it mine... If only your mother was alive...
Isabelle : I'll sell all of my dresses, father, and when we move out, I'll go to work. We will find a way !
