La Traviata

Act 3

Location: Violetta's bedroom, a bed with half drawn curtains, a window with inside shutters, next to the bed, a table with a water bottle, a glass, various medicines, in the next room, a dressing table, nearby a sofa, another table with a night lamp, several chairs and other pieces, the door is to the left. Opposite, a fireplace with low fire. The rest of the house has all the furniture removed, and only a few we're left.

(Violetta was asleep in bed, Annina, next to the fireplace, has dozed off.)

Violetta: (awakening) Annina?

Annina, (also awakening) Yes madam?

Violetta: were you sleeping, poor child?

Annina: Yes, forgive me.

Violetta: Give me a sip of water.

(Annina does so)

Violetta: Look outside and tell me, is it still day?

Annina: It's seven o clock

Violetta: open the blinds a little.

(Annina opens the blinds and looks out into the street.)

Annina: It's Doctor Grenvil!

Violetta: Oh, he's a true friend. I want to get up. Help me.

(She gets up but falls back on the bed. Finally, supported by Annina, she gets up and walks slowly to the sofa. The doctor enters in time to get her comfortable. Annina bring cushions and put them behind her.)

Violetta: Oh how good you are! You thought of me in time!

Grenvil: (feeling her pulse) How do you feel?

Violetta: My body is in pain, but my soul is in peace. Last evening a preist came to comfort me. Religion is a great consolation to the suffering.

Grenvil: And during the night?

Violetta: I slept quite peacefully.

Grenvil: Courage then, your convalescence is not far off!

Violetta: (holds the doctor's hand) oh, the little white lie is permissible to the doctor.

Grenvil: (holds her hand) Goodbye, I'll come back later.

Violetta: Don't forget me!

(Doctor Grenvil and Annina leads Violetta back to her bed.)

(Annina escorts the doctor out. In a low voice she said)

Annina: how is she sir?

Grenvil: She has only a few hours to live.

Annina: take heart now.

Violetta: Today is a holiday?

Annina: Paris is going mad! It's carnival time.

Violetta: Oh, in all this merrymaking, heaven knows how many poor ones are suffering.

Violetta: How much is there in the drawer?

Annina: (opens the drawer and counts) Twenty Louis.

Violetta: Take ten and give them to he poor.

Annina: But there won't be enough left!

Violetta: For me it is enough. Then bring in my letters.

Annina: but you madam

Violetta: Nothing will happen, go quickly. Please.

(Annina goes out. Violetta, walks slowly to her dresser, to read a letter written a month ago.)

Violetta: (She takes the letter and reads,)