Pauline (to the General) He is right, father. He is doing of his own accord, what you doubtless would have advised him to do.

Gertrude (to Ferdinand) She shall marry Godard.

Ferdinand (to Gertrude) If I do not punish you for your atrocious conduct, God Himself will!

The General (to Pauline) America is a long way off and the climate is deadly.

Pauline (to the General) Many a fortune is made there.

The General (aside) She does not love him. (To Ferdinand) Ferdinand, you must not leave before I have put in your hands sufficient to start you on the road to fortune.

Ferdinand I thank you, General; but what is due me will be sufficient. Moreover, I shall not be missed in your factory, for I have trained Champagne so thoroughly as a foreman, that he is skillful enough to become my successor; and if you will go with me to the factory, you will see—

The General I will gladly accompany you. (Aside) Everything is in such a muddle here, that I must go and look for Vernon. The advice and clear-sightedness of my old friend, the doctor, will be of service in ferreting out what it is that disturbs this household, for there is something or other. Ferdinand, I will follow you. Ladies, we will be soon be back again. (Aside) There is something or other!

(The General follows Ferdinand out.)



SCENE SEVENTH

Gertrude and Pauline.

Pauline (locking the door) Madame, do you consider that a pure love, a love which comprises and enhances all human happiness, which makes us understand that happiness which is divine,—do you consider such a love to be dearer and more precious to us than life?

Gertrude You have been reading the Nouvelle Heloise, my dear. What you say is rather stilted in diction, but it is nevertheless true.

Pauline Well, madame, you have just caused me to commit suicide.

Gertrude The very act you would have been happy to see me commit; and if you had succeeded in forcing me to it, you would have felt in your heart the joy which fills mine at present.

Pauline According to my father, war between civilized nations has its laws; but the war which you wage against me, madame, is that of savages.

Gertrude You may do as I do, if you can—but you can do nothing! You shall marry Godard. He is a very good match for you; you will be very happy, I assure you, for he has fine qualities.

Pauline And you think that I will quietly let you marry Ferdinand?

Gertrude After the few words which we have exchanged this evening, why should we now indulge in the language of hypocrisy? I was in love with Ferdinand, my dear Pauline, when you were but eight years old.

Pauline But now you are more than thirty—and I am still young. Moreover, he hates you, he abhors you! He has told me so, and he wishes to have nothing to do with a woman capable of the black treachery with which you have acted towards my father.

Gertrude In the eyes of Ferdinand, my love will serve as my vindication.

Pauline He shares the feelings which I have for you; he despises you, madame.

Gertrude Do you really believe it? Well, if it is so, my dear, I have one more reason for the position I take, for if he refuses to become my husband, to gratify his love, Pauline, you will force me to marry him for the sake of satisfying my revenge. When he came to this house, was he not aware that I was here?

Pauline You probably caught him by some such snare as you have just set for us, and into which both of us have fallen.

Gertrude Now, my child, a single word more will put an end to everything between us. Have you not said a hundred times, a thousand times, in moments when you were all feeling, all soul, that you would make the greatest sacrifices for Ferdinand?

Pauline Yes, madame.

Gertrude You said you would leave your father, would flee from France; you would give your life, your honor, your salvation for Ferdinand?

Pauline Yes, and if there is anything else that I can offer besides myself—this world and heaven!

Gertrude Let me tell you, then, that all that you have wished to do, I have done! It is enough therefore to assure you that nothing, not even death itself, can arrest my course.

Pauline In saying this, you give me the right to defend myself before my father. (Aside) O Ferdinand! Our love, (Gertrude takes a seat on the sofa during the soliloquy of Pauline) as she has said, is greater than life. (To Gertrude) Madame, you must repair all the evil that you have done to me; the sole difficulties which lie in the way of my marriage with Ferdinand, you must overcome. Yes, you who have complete control over my father, you must make him forego his hatred of the son of General Marcandal.

Gertrude And do you really mean that?

Pauline Yes, madame.

Gertrude And what means do you possess formidable enough to compel me to do so?

Pauline Are we not carrying on a warfare of savages?

Gertrude Say rather, of women, which is even more terrible! Savages torment the body alone; while we direct our arrows against the heart, the self-love, the pride, the soul of those whom we attack in the very midst of their happiness.

Pauline That is truly said. It is the whole woman-nature that I attack. Therefore, my dear and truly honored stepmother, you must eliminate by to-morrow, and not later, all the obstacles that stand between me and Ferdinand; or you may be sure my father shall learn from me the whole course of your conduct, both before and after your marriage.

Gertrude Ah! That is the way you are going to do it! Poor child! He will never believe you.

Pauline Oh, I know the domination you exercise over my father; but I have proofs.

Gertrude Proofs! Proofs!

Pauline I went to Ferdinand's house—I am very inquisitive—and I found there your letters, madame; I took from among them those which would convince even the blindness of my father, for they will prove to him—

Gertrude What will they prove?

Pauline Everything!

Gertrude But this will be, unhappy child, both theft and murder! For think of his age.

Pauline And have not you accomplished the murder of my happiness? Have you not forced me to deny, both to my father and to Ferdinand, my love, my glory, my life?

Gertrude (aside) This is a mere trick; she knows nothing. (Aloud) This is a clever stratagem, but I never wrote a single line. What you say is not true. It is impossible. Where are the letters?

Pauline They are in my possession.

Gertrude In your room?

Pauline They are where you can never reach them.

Gertrude (aside) Madness with its wildest dreams spins through my brain! My fingers itch for murder. It is in such moments as this that men kill each other! How gladly would I kill her! My God! Do not forsake me! Leave me my reason! (Aloud) Wait a moment.

Pauline (aside) My thanks to you, Ferdinand! I see how much you love me; I have been able to pay back to her all the wrongs she did us a short time ago—and—she shall save us from all we feared!

Gertrude (aside) She must have them about her,—but how can I be sure of that? Ah! (Aloud) Pauline! If you have had those letters for long, you must have known that I was in love with Ferdinand. You can only lately have received them.

Pauline They came into my hands this morning.

Gertrude You have not read them all?

Pauline Enough to find out that they would ruin you.

Gertrude Pauline, life is just beginning for you. (A knock is heard.) Ferdinand is the first man, young, well educated and distinguished, for he is distinguished, by whom you have been attracted; but there are many others in the world such as he is. Ferdinand has been in a certain sense under the same roof with you, and you have seen him every day; the first impulses of your heart have therefore directed you to him. I understand this, and it is quite natural. Had I been in your place I should doubtless have experienced the same feelings. But, my dear, you know not the ways either of the world or of society. And if, like so many other women, you have been deceiving yourself—for we women, ah, how often are we thus deceived!—you still can make another choice. But for me the deed has been done, I have no other choice to make. Ferdinand is all I have, for I have passed my thirtieth year, and I have sacrificed to him what I should have kept unsullied—the honor of an aged man. The field is clear for you, you may yet love some other man more ardently than you can love to-day—this is my experience. Pauline, child, give him up, and you will learn what a devoted slave you will have in me! You will have more than a mother, more than a friend, you will have the unstinted help of a soul that is lost! Oh! listen to me! (She kneels, and raises her hands to Pauline's corsage.) Behold me at your feet, acknowledging you my rival! Is this sufficient humiliation for me? Oh, if you only knew what this costs a woman to undergo! Relent! Relent, and save me. (A loud knocking is heard, she takes advantage of Pauline's confusion to feel for the letters.) Give back my life to me! (Aside) She has them!

Pauline Oh, leave me, madame! Will you force me to call for some one?

(Pauline pushes Gertrude away, and proceeds to open the door.)

Gertrude (aside) I was not deceived, she has them about her; but I must not leave them with her one single hour.



SCENE EIGHTH

The same persons, the General and Vernon.

The General You two, locked in together! Why did you call out, Pauline?

Vernon How pale you are, my child! Let me feel your pulse.

The General (to Gertrude) And you also seem to be very much excited.

Gertrude There was a joke between us and we were indulging in a laugh; weren't we, Pauline? You were laughing, my pet?

Pauline Yes, papa. Dear mamma and I were in a gale of laughter.

Vernon (in a low voice to Pauline) That's a pretty big lie!

The General Didn't you hear us knocking?

Pauline We heard quite plainly, papa; but we didn't know it was you.

The General (in a low voice to Vernon) They seem to be leagued against me. (Aloud) But what was it all about?

Gertrude Dear husband, you always want to know everything! We were speaking for the moment about the tenants, about some acquaintance of ours. But let me go and ring for tea.

The General But tell me all about it?

Gertrude Why this is sheer tyranny! To tell the truth, we locked ourselves in so that no one would disturb us. Is that plain enough?

Vernon I should think it quite plain.

Gertrude (whispering to the General) I wished to worm her secrets out of your daughter, for it is evident that she has some secrets! And you come interrupting us, while I am working in your service—for Pauline is not my daughter; you arrive, as if you were charging a hostile squadron, and interrupt us, at the very moment I was going to learn something.

The General Madame the Countess of Grandchamp, ever since the arrival of Godard—

Gertrude Ah! yes, Godard. Well! he is still here.

The General Do not ridicule my words! Ever since yesterday nothing has gone as usual! By God! I'd like to know—

Gertrude Sir, this oath is the first I have ever heard from you. Felix, bring in the tea. (To the General) You are tired, it seems, of twelve years of happiness?

The General I am not, and never will be a tyrant. A little time ago I came unexpectedly upon you and Ferdinand engaged in conversation, and I felt I was in the way. Again, I come home and you are locked in with my daughter, and my appearance seemed to put you out. And to cap all, last night—

Vernon Come, General, you can quarrel with Madame as much as you like, but not before other people. (Godard is heard approaching.) I hear Godard. (Whispers to the General) Is this keeping your promise to me? In treating with women—I am bound as a doctor to admit it—you must leave them to betray themselves; while at the same time you watch them carefully; otherwise your violence draws forth their tears, and when once the hydraulic machinery begins to play, they drown a man as if they had the strength of a triple Hercules!



SCENE NINTH

The same persons and Godard.

Godard Ladies, I came once before to present my compliments and respects to you, but I found the door closed. General, I wish you good-day. (The General takes up a newspaper and waves his hand in greeting.) Ah! Here is my adversary of yesterday's game. Have you come to take your revenge, doctor?

Vernon No, I came to take some tea.

Godard Ah! I see you keep up the custom of the English, Russians and Chinese.

Pauline Would you prefer some coffee?

Godard No, no; allow me to have some tea; I will, for once, deviate from my every-day custom. Moreover, you have your luncheon at noon, I see, and a cup of coffee with cream would take away my appetite for that meal. And then the English, the Russians and the Chinese are not entirely incorrect in taste.

Vernon Tea, sir, is an excellent thing.

Godard Yes, when it is good.

Pauline This is caravan tea.

Gertrude Doctor, have you seen the papers? (To Pauline) Go and talk to M. de Rimonville, my daughter, I, myself, will make tea.

Godard Perhaps Mlle. De Grandchamp likes my conversation no better than my person?

Pauline You are mistaken, sir.

The General Godard—

Pauline Should you do me the favor of no longer seeking me in marriage, you would still possess in my eyes qualities of sufficient brilliancy to captivate the young ladies Boudeville, Clinville, Derville, etc.

Godard That is enough, mademoiselle. Ah! How you do ridicule an unfortunate lover, in spite of his income of forty thousand francs! The longer I stay here, the more I regret it. What a lucky fellow M. Ferdinand de Charny is!

Pauline Lucky? Why is he lucky? Poor fellow! Does his good fortune consist in the fact that he is my father's clerk?

Gertrude M. de Rimonville—

The General Godard—

Gertrude M. de Rimonville—

The General Godard, my wife is speaking to you.

Gertrude Do you like much or little sugar?

Godard A moderate quality.

Gertrude Not much cream, I suppose?

Godard On the contrary, plenty of cream, countess. (To Pauline) Ah, M. Ferdinand is not then, after all the man who—whom you have distinguished by your favor? I can at least assure you that he is very much to the taste of your stepmother.

Pauline (aside) How annoying these inquisitive provincials are!

Godard (aside) It is fair that I should amuse myself a little at her expense before I take leave. I must get something out of this visit.

Gertrude M. de Rimonville, if you desire anything solid, there are sandwiches here.

Godard Thank you, madame.

Gertrude (whispering to Godard) Your cause is not wholly lost.

Godard O madame! I have thought a great deal over my rejection by Mlle. de Grandchamp.

Gertrude Ah! (To the doctor) Doctor, you will take yours as usual, I suppose?

Vernon If you please, madame.

Godard (to Pauline) Did you say, "poor fellow," mademoiselle? For M. Ferdinand is not so poor as you think him. He is richer than I am!

Pauline How do you know that?

Godard I am certain of it, and I will tell you why. This M. Ferdinand, whom you think you know, is an exceedingly crafty fellow—

Pauline (aside) Can he possibly know his real name?

Gertrude (aside) A few drops of opium in her tea will put her to sleep, and I shall be saved.

Godard (to Pauline) You cannot deny the authority of him who has put me on the track.

Pauline Oh, sir! Kindly tell—

Godard It was the prosecuting attorney. I remembered that at the house of the Boudevilles it was said that your clerk—

Pauline (aside) He is putting me on the rack.

Gertrude (offering a cup to Pauline) Here, Pauline.

Vernon (aside) Am I dreaming? I thought I saw her put something into Pauline's cup.

Pauline (to Godard) And what did they say?

Godard Ah! Ah! How attentive you are! I should have been exceedingly flattered to think that you put on that air when any one was talking about me, as I am now talking about M. Ferdinand de Charny.

Pauline What a strange taste this tea has! You find yours good?

Godard You talk about the tea in order to distract my attention from the interest you take in what I am telling you. I see through it all! Well, come now, I am going to astonish you. You must know that M. Ferdinand is—

Pauline Is—?

Godard A millionaire.

Pauline You are joking, M. Godard.

Godard On my word of honor, mademoiselle, he possesses a treasure. (Aside) She is madly in love with him.

Pauline (aside) How this fool startled me.

(Pauline rises from her seat and Vernon takes the teacup from her hand.)

Vernon Let me take it, my child.

The General (to his wife) What ails you, dearest? You seem—

Vernon (who has retained Pauline's cup and returned his own in its place to Gertrude. Aside) It is laudanum; fortunately the dose is light; but it is very certain that something is about to happen. (To Godard) M. Godard, you are a crafty fox. (Godard takes out his handkerchief as if to blow his nose.) Ah!

Godard Doctor, I bear no ill-will.

Vernon Listen! Do you think that you could carry off the General to the factory and keep him there for an hour.

Godard I would like to have that youngster to help me.

Vernon He is at school until dinner-time.

Godard Why do you wish me to do this?

Vernon Now I beg of you, for you are a good fellow, to do as I bid you; it is necessary. Do you love Pauline?

Godard I did love her yesterday, but this morning— (Aside) I must find out what he is concealing from me. (To Vernon) It shall be done! I will go on to the veranda and come back again with a message that Ferdinand sends for the General. You may rely upon me. Ah! Here is Ferdinand himself, that is all right!

(Godard goes on the veranda.)

Pauline 'Tis peculiar, how drowsy I feel.

(Pauline lies down on the divan; Ferdinand appears and talks with Godard.)



SCENE TENTH

The same persons and Ferdinand.

Ferdinand General, it will be necessary for you to come to the office and the factory in order to verify my accounts.

The General That is only just to you.

Pauline (drowsily) Ferdinand!

Godard Ah, General, I'll take advantage of this occasion to visit your establishment with you, for I have never seen it.

The General Very good, come along, Godard.

Godard De Rimonville.

Gertrude (aside) If they go away, fortune will favor me indeed.

Vernon (who has overheard her, aside) Fortune, in this case, is represented by me—



SCENE ELEVENTH

Gertrude, Vernon, Pauline, and later Marguerite.

Gertrude Doctor, would you like another cup of tea?

Vernon Thank you, but I am so deep in the election returns that I have not yet finished my first cup.

Gertrude (pointing to Pauline) Poor child, you see she is sleeping?

Vernon How is this? She is sleeping?

Gertrude It is no wonder. Imagine, doctor, she did not go to sleep until three o'clock in this morning. We were greatly disturbed last night.

Vernon Let me assist you to carry her to her room.

Gertrude It is not necessary. Marguerite, help me put this poor child to bed. She will be more comfortable there.

(Marguerite comes forward and assists Gertrude to carry Pauline away.)



SCENE TWELFTH

Vernon, Felix (who enters at this juncture) and Marguerite later.

Vernon Felix!

Felix Is there anything I can do for you, sir?

Vernon Is there a closet anywhere here in which I can lock up something?

Felix (pointing to the closet) Here is a place, sir.

Vernon Good! Felix, don't say a word of this to a single soul. (Aside) He will be sure to remember it. (Aloud) I am playing a trick on the General, and the trick will fail if you say anything.

Felix I will be as dumb as a fish.

(The doctor takes from him the key of the closet.)

Vernon And now leave me alone with your mistress, who is coming back here, and be on the watch that no one interrupts us for a moment.

Felix (going out) Marguerite was right; there is something in the wind, that's certain.

Marguerite (returning) There is nothing the matter. Mademoiselle is sleeping quietly.

(Exit Marguerite.)



SCENE THIRTEENTH

Vernon (alone) What can have set by the ears two women who have hitherto lived in peace? All doctors, little though they be philosophers, can tell. The poor General, who all his life has had no other idea excepting that of escaping the common lot! Yet I see no one here likely to cause him jealousy, but myself and Ferdinand. It is not probable that I am the man; but Ferdinand—Yet I have so far noticed nothing—I hear her coming! Now for the tug-of-war!



SCENE FOURTEENTH

Vernon and Gertrude.

Gertrude (aside) I have them!—I am going to burn them in my chamber. (She meets Vernon.) Ah!

Vernon Madame, I have sent everybody away.

Gertrude May I ask you why?

Vernon In order that we may have our explanation without witnesses.

Gertrude Explanation! By what right do you—you, the parasite of the house, pretend to have an explanation with the Comtesse de Grandchamp?

Vernon I, a parasite? Madame! I have an income of ten thousand francs, besides my pension; I have the rank of general, and my fortune will be bequeathed to the children of my old friend! A parasite indeed! You forget that I am not only here as a friend but as a doctor, and—you poured certain drops of laudanum into Pauline's tea.

Gertrude I?

Vernon I saw you do it, and I have the cup.

Gertrude You have the cup? Why, I washed it myself!

Vernon Yes, you washed mine, which I gave you in exchange for that of Pauline! I was not reading the newspaper, I was watching you.

Gertrude Oh! sir, how unworthy of you!

Vernon You must confess that what I did then is of great service to you, for if you had by the effect of that draught brought Pauline to the brink of the grave, you would have been very glad of my services.

Gertrude The brink of the grave—why, doctor, I put in only a very few drops.

Vernon You admit, then, that you put opium in her tea?

Gertrude Doctor—this is outrageous!

Vernon That I have obtained a confession from you? Every woman under the same circumstances would have said the same thing. I know it by experience. But that is not all. You have several others things to confide in me.

Gertrude (aside) He is a spy! The only thing I can do is to make him my accomplice. (Aloud) Doctor, you are too useful to me to admit of our quarreling. In a moment, if you will wait here, I will return and speak frankly to you.

(Gertrude goes into her chamber and locks the door.)

Vernon She has turned the key! I am caught, tricked! I cannot after all resort to violence. What is she doing? She is going to hide her flask of opium. A man is always wrong when he undertakes to discharge for a friend the offices which my old friend, this poor General, expects of me. She is going to entangle me—Ah! Here she comes.

Gertrude (aside) I have burnt them! There is not a trace left—I am saved! (Aloud) Doctor!

Vernon Madame?

Gertrude My stepdaughter Pauline, whom you believed to be an innocent girl, an angel, had carried off furtively and criminally something whose discovery would have compromised the honor and the life of four persons.

Vernon Four! (Aside) That is herself, the General—Ah! her son, perhaps—and the unknown.

Gertrude This secret, concerning which she is forced to keep silence, even though it imperilled her life to do so—

Vernon I don't quite catch your meaning.

Gertrude In short, the proofs of this secret are now destroyed! And you, doctor, who love us all, you would be as base, as infamous as she is—even more so, because you are a man, and have not the insensate passions of a woman!—You would be a monster if you were to take another step along the path on which you have now started—

Vernon You mean that for intimidation? Madame, since civilized society first sprang into being, the seed which you are sowing has produced a crop whose name is crime.

Gertrude But there are four lives at stake; remember that. (Aside) He is giving way. (Aloud) In spite of this danger I demand that you will assist me in maintaining peace here, and that you will immediately go and get something by which Pauline may be roused from her slumber. And you will explain, if necessary, her drowsiness to the General. Further, you will give me back the cup, for I am sure you intend to do so, and each step that we take together in this affair shall be fully explained to you.

Vernon Madame!

Gertrude We must separate now, for the General will soon be back.

Vernon (aside) I shall still look after you! I have now a weapon that I can use and—

(Exit Vernon.)



SCENE FIFTEENTH

Gertrude (alone, leaning against the closet in which the cup is locked up) Where can he have hidden that cup?

Curtain to the Third Act.



ACT IV



SCENE FIRST

(Pauline's chamber.)

Gertrude and Pauline (the latter sleeping on a large armchair on the left).

Gertrude (cautiously entering) She is sleeping, and the doctor said that she would wake up at once. Her slumber alarms me. This then is the girl that he is in love with. I do not find her pretty at all. Oh, yes, after all, she is beautiful! But how is it that men do not see that beauty is nothing but a promise, and that love is the—(someone knocks). How is this; there are people coming.

Vernon (outside) May I come in, Pauline?

Gertrude It is the doctor.



SCENE SECOND

The same persons and Vernon.

Gertrude You told me that she would soon awake.

Vernon Don't be alarmed. (Calling aloud) Pauline! Pauline!

Pauline (awakening) O M. Vernon! Where am I? Ah! In my own room. What has happened to me?

Vernon My child, you fell asleep while you were taking your tea. Madame de Grandchamp feared as I did that this was the beginning of a sickness; but it is no such thing. It is altogether, as it seems to me, the consequence of a night without sleep.

Gertrude And now, Pauline, how do you feel?

Pauline I have been sleeping—and madame was here while I slept! (She starts up; puts her hand upon her bosom.) Ah! It is outrageous! (To Vernon) Doctor, can you have been an accomplice?

Gertrude An accomplice in what? What were you going to say?

Vernon I! my child! Could you suppose that I was the accomplice of an evil action wrought against you, whom I love as if you were my daughter? Don't speak of such a thing as that! But come, tell me?

Pauline There is nothing, doctor, nothing to say!

Gertrude Let me speak a few words to her.

Vernon (aside) What possible motive can there be for a young child to keep silence, when she is the victim of such an act of treachery as this?

Gertrude (in a low voice to Pauline) So you see, Pauline, you didn't long keep in your possession the proofs which you intended taking to your father in your ridiculous accusation of me!

Pauline I understand all; you gave me a narcotic in order to deprive me of them.

Gertrude We are equally inquisitive. I have done to you what you did to me in Ferdinand's apartments.

Pauline You are triumphant now, madame, but it will soon be my turn.

Gertrude The war, then, is to continue?

Pauline War, madame? Call it a duel! One or the other of us must go.

Gertrude You are tragic.

Vernon (aside) There appears to be no outbreak between them, nor the least misunderstanding!—But stay, an idea strikes me; suppose I go and look for Ferdinand?

(Vernon prepares to go out.)

Gertrude Doctor!

Vernon Madame?

Gertrude We must have a talk together. (Whispering) I shall not leave you until you have given me back—

Vernon I stated to you the sole condition—

Pauline Doctor!

Vernon (going to her) My child?

Pauline Are you aware that my sleep just now was not a natural one?

Vernon Yes, you were put to sleep by your stepmother. I have proof of it. But do you know the reason why?

Pauline Oh! doctor, it is—

Gertrude Doctor!

Pauline Later on, I will tell you all.

Vernon Already from each of them I have learned something of what lies beneath. Ah! poor General!

Gertrude I am waiting, doctor.

(Vernon bows and escorts Gertrude out.)



SCENE THIRD

Pauline (alone; she rings) Yes, the only alternative left me is to flee with him; if we continue this conflict, my stepmother and I, it can but result in my father's dishonor. Would it not be better to disobey him? Then I will write to him—I will be generous, because, my triumph over her will be complete—I will let my father still believe in her, and will explain my flight by attributing it to the hatred which he bears to the name of Marcandal and to my love for Ferdinand.



SCENE FOURTH

Pauline and Marguerite.

Marguerite Does mademoiselle feel well again?

Pauline Yes, I am well enough in body; but in mind—Oh, I am in despair! My poor Marguerite, unfortunate is the girl who has lost her mother—

Marguerite And whose father has for his second wife such a woman as Madame de Grandchamp. But tell me, mademoiselle, am I not to you a humble and devoted mother? My affection for you as a nurse has grown in proportion to the hate with which this stepmother regards you.

Pauline Yes, Marguerite, you may believe it, but you delude yourself. Your love can never be as great as her hatred.

Marguerite Oh! mademoiselle! If you would only put me to the proof!

Pauline Really?—Would you leave France for me?

Marguerite To be with you, I would travel to the Indies.

Pauline And would you start at once?

Marguerite At once!—My baggage is not heavy.

Pauline Well, Marguerite, we will start to-night, and secretly.

Marguerite But why is this?

Pauline You ask me why? Do you not know that Madame de Grandchamp put me to sleep with opium?

Marguerite I know it, mademoiselle, and Doctor Vernon knows it also, for Felix told me that he put under lock and key your teacup.—But why did she do it?

Pauline Say not a word about it, if you love me! And if you are as devoted to me as you profess to be, go to your room and gather together all that you possess, so quietly that none shall suspect that you are preparing for a journey. We will start after midnight. You must now take from me here, and carry to your room, my jewels and all that I shall need for a long journey. Use the utmost caution; for if my stepmother had the least idea of what we are doing, I should be ruined.

Marguerite Ruined!—But, mademoiselle, what is come over you? Think seriously before you leave your home.

Pauline Do you wish to see me die?

Marguerite Die!—Oh, mademoiselle, I will at once obey your wishes.

Pauline Marguerite, tell M. Ferdinand to bring me my year's allowance; bid him come this moment.

Marguerite He was under your windows when I came in.

Pauline (aside) Under my windows!—doubtless he thought that he would never see me again.—Poor Ferdinand!

(Exit Marguerite.)



SCENE FIFTH

Pauline (alone) When I think of leaving my father's house, it at once comes home to me that my father will seek me many a day, far and wide. With what treasures love ought to repay me, for such sacrifices, for I abandon to follow Ferdinand my country, my father, and my home! But at any rate, this shameless woman will lose him without hope of restoration! Moreover, I shall return! The doctor and M. Ramel will win for me forgiveness from my father. I think I hear the step of Ferdinand! —Yes, it is actually he!



SCENE SIXTH

Pauline and Ferdinand.

Pauline Oh, my love, my Ferdinand!

Ferdinand And I thought that I should never see you again! Marguerite, I see, knows all.

Pauline She knows nothing yet; but this night she shall learn of our flight, for we shall be free; and you shall take your wife with you.

Ferdinand Oh, Pauline, do not deceive me!

Pauline I was making arrangements to rejoin you in your place of exile; but this odious woman has hurried on my resolution. There is no merit in what I am doing, it is a question of life and death to me.

Ferdinand Of life and death! Tell me what has she been doing?

Pauline She almost poisoned me; she drugged me, in order to take the letters I carried about me! By what she has dared to do, in order to keep you for herself, I judge what she yet may do. If therefore we wish to be united, our only hope lies in flight. Therefore let us not say farewell! This night we must find some refuge or other—But where? That lies with you.

Ferdinand Ah! These words,—how wild with joy they make me!

Pauline Ferdinand! Take every precaution; hurry to Louviers, go to the house of your friend, the prosecuting attorney; secure our passports, and a carriage with fast horses. I fear that my father, urged on by this stepmother, may try to overtake us! May he fail to do so; he would kill us, for I am telling him in this letter the fatal secret of your birth which compels me thus to leave him.

Ferdinand Dismiss your fears. Eugene completed his preparations for my departure yesterday. Here is the sum of money which your father owed me. (He shows her a pocket-book.) Give me your receipt. (He puts down some money on the table.) I have only to give in my balance sheet in order to be free. We shall reach Rouen in three hours, and at Havre we shall take an American ship. Eugene has sent a trusty man to secure me a passage on board. The officers of the vessel will think it only natural that a man should take his wife abroad with him, so we shall meet with no obstacle—



SCENE SEVENTH

The same persons and Gertrude.

Gertrude Excepting me.

Pauline We are lost!

Gertrude So you are going to start without telling me, Ferdinand? Oh, indeed! But I have heard it all.

Ferdinand (to Pauline) Mademoiselle, have the goodness to give me your receipt, it is indispensable in completing the account which I must give to your father before leaving. (To Gertrude) Madame, you may be able, perhaps, to prevent mademoiselle from going away; but I can no longer remain here, and I must absolutely start to-night.

Gertrude You must stay here, and you shall stay here, sir!

Ferdinand Against my will?

Gertrude What mademoiselle wishes to do, I myself will do, and without fear. I will make M. de Grandchamp come into this very room, and you will at once see that he will compel you to leave, but—with me and my child. (Felix appears.) Beg M. de Grandchamp to come here.

Ferdinand (to Pauline) I see her object. Detain her here, while I overtake Felix, and prevent him from speaking to the General! Eugene will tell you how you must act after my departure. When once we have left this place, Gertrude will be powerless to oppose us. (To Gertrude) Farewell, madame. You lately made an attack on Pauline's life, and by this act have broken the last ties that bound me to your friendship.

Gertrude You have nothing but accusations for me! But you do not know what mademoiselle intended telling her father concerning you and me.

Ferdinand I love her, and will love her all my life; I shall be able to defend her against you, and I prize her high enough to suffer banishment in order to obtain her. Farewell.

Pauline Dear, dear Ferdinand!



SCENE EIGHTH

Gertrude and Pauline.

Gertrude Now that we are alone, do you know why I have summoned your father? It is in order to tell him the name and family of Ferdinand.

Pauline Madame, what are you going to do? My father, as soon as he learns that the son of General Marcandal has won the love of his daughter, will get to Havre as quickly as Ferdinand does. He will come up with him, and then—

Gertrude I would sooner see Ferdinand dead than united to any one but myself, especially when I feel in my heart as much hatred for that other one as I have love for him. Such is my final word in our mortal duel.

Pauline Madame, I am now at your feet, as you but now were at mine. Let us slay each other if you like, but let us not murder him! Let his life be spared, though it be at the cost of mine!

Gertrude Will you give him up?

Pauline I will, madame.

Gertrude (she lets her handkerchief fall in the excitement of her passionate speech) You are deceiving me! You tell me this, because he loves you, because he has already insulted me by avowing it, and because you believe that he will not love me any longer. Now this will not do, Pauline, you must give me some pledge of your sincerity.

Pauline (aside) Her handkerchief! Ah! I see with it the key of her desk. It is there that the poison is locked up! (Aloud) Did you say pledges of my sincerity? I will give them to you. What do you demand?

Gertrude Really, I do not care for more than one proof that you mean what you say, and that is, that you should marry the other suitor.

Pauline I will marry him.

Gertrude And you must, at this very moment, plight your troth with him.

Pauline Go to him yourself, madame, and tell him; and then come here with my father, and—

Gertrude And what?

Pauline And I will give him my word; even though this be to give away my life.

Gertrude (aside) In what a tone she uttered that. With what resolution! And without tears—I feel sure she is keeping something back! (Aloud) And so you are quite resigned to this?

Pauline I am.

Gertrude (aside) I hope she is. (To Pauline) If you are sincere—

Pauline You are mendacity itself, and you always see a lie in other's words—Oh! Leave me, madame, you make me shudder.

Gertrude (aside) Well, she is candid at any rate. (Aloud) I am going to tell Ferdinand of your resolution—(Pauline nods in acquiescence.) But he will not believe me. Suppose you write a word to him?

Pauline Yes, I will write to him, and tell him not to go away. (Sits down and writes.) Here is the letter, madame.

Gertrude (reads) "I am going to marry M. de Rimonville—so that you may remain here. Pauline." (Aside) I do not quite understand this—I fear that there is some trick in it. I am going to let him leave; he will learn of the marriage when he is far away from this.

(Exit Gertrude.)



SCENE NINTH

Pauline (alone) Ferdinand is utterly lost to me now—I have always expected it; the world is either a paradise or a prison cell; and I, a young girl, have dreamed only of the paradise. But anyway I have the key of the desk, and I can return it after having taken out something which may serve to put an end to this terrible situation. Yes, that is what I will do!



SCENE TENTH

Pauline and Marguerite.

Marguerite Mademoiselle, my trunks are all packed. I am now going to begin packing here.

Pauline Yes. (Aside) It is best to let her do so. (Aloud) Come here, Marguerite, take this gold and conceal it among your things.

Marguerite You are sure that your reasons for starting away are very urgent?

Pauline My poor Marguerite, who knows whether I shall be able to get away! But come, go on with your work.

(Exit Pauline.)



SCENE ELEVENTH

Marguerite (alone) And to think that I believed this fury was unwilling that mademoiselle should marry! Is it possible that mademoiselle should have concealed from me that her real love was being opposed? Yet her father is so good to her! He leaves her free to choose—Suppose I were to speak to the General—Oh! no, I would not run the risk of injuring my child.



SCENE TWELFTH

Marguerite and Pauline.

Pauline No one has seen me. Listen, Marguerite, first of all, take away the money that I gave you, and then let me think about the resolution which I have taken.

Marguerite If I were in your place, mademoiselle, I would tell everything to the General.

Pauline To my father? Unhappy woman, do not betray me! And let both of us respect the illusions, in the midst of which he lives.

Marguerite Ah! Illusions! That is the very word.

Pauline You may leave me now.

(Exit Marguerite.)



SCENE THIRTEENTH

Pauline, then Vernon.

Pauline (holding in her hand the parcel of poison, which was shown in the first act) Here stands death before me! The doctor told us yesterday, in reference to Champagne's wife, that this terrible substance required some hours, almost a whole night, to produce its deadly effects, and that it was possible, during the first hours, to nullify these effects; if the doctor remains at the house, he will provide this antidote.

(Some one knocks.)

Vernon (from without) It is I.

Pauline Come in, doctor! (Aside) Curiosity brings him to see me, curiosity will take him away.

Vernon I see, my child, that between you and your stepmother, there are secrets of life and death?

Pauline Yes, and, above all, death.

Vernon I was afraid so! And that, of course, I must attend to. But tell me—You must have had some terrible quarrel with your stepmother.

Pauline Let me hear no more of that creature. She deceives my father.

Vernon I know it.

Pauline She never loved him.

Vernon I was quite sure of that!

Pauline She has sworn to ruin me.

Vernon How? Is it in an affair of your heart that she wishes to do you harm?

Pauline Rather say, it is my life she threatens.

Vernon What a horrible suspicion! Pauline, my child, I love you well, you know I do. Tell me, can nothing save you?

Pauline In order to change my fate, it would be necessary that my father change his ideas. Listen; I am in love with M. Ferdinand.

Vernon I already know that. But who would hinder you from marrying him?

Pauline Can you keep a secret? Well, he is the son of General Marcandal!

Vernon My God! You may rely on my keeping that secret! Why, your father would fight with him to the death, if for nothing else, because he has had him under his roof for three years.

Pauline You will then see very plainly that there is no hope for me.

(Pauline sinks back overwhelmed with emotion in an armchair.)

Vernon Poor child! I fear she is going to faint. (He rings and calls) Marguerite! Marguerite!



SCENE FOURTEENTH

The same persons, Gertrude, Marguerite and the General.

Marguerite (running in) What is it, sir?

Vernon Get me a tea-urn of boiling water, into which you must drop some orange leaves.

(Exit Marguerite.)

Gertrude What is the matter with you, Pauline?

The General Dear child, do tell us?

Gertrude Oh, it is nothing! We can understand her feelings. It is because she sees her lot in life decided—

Vernon (to the General) Her lot decided? And in what way?

The General She is going to marry Godard! (Aside) It seems to me as if she were giving up some love affair of which she did not wish to tell me. As far as I can understand from what my wife has told me, the unknown one is ineligible, and Pauline did not discover his unworthiness until yesterday.

Vernon And you believe this? Do not precipitate matters, General. We will talk it over this evening. (Aside) Before then I am going to have a few words with Madame de Grandchamp.

Pauline (to Gertrude) The doctor knows all!

Gertrude Ah!

Pauline (she puts back into the pocket of Gertrude the handkerchief and the key, while the latter is looking at Vernon, who converses with the General) Keep him away, for he is capable of telling all he knows to the General. We must at least protect Ferdinand.

Gertrude (aside) She is right. (Aloud) Doctor, I have just been informed that Francis, one of our best workmen, is sick; he hasn't appeared this morning, and you might go and visit him.

The General Francis? Oh! Vernon, you had better go and see him—

Vernon Doesn't he live at Pre-l'Eveque? (Aside) More than three leagues away.

The General Are you alarmed about Pauline?

Vernon It is simply an attack of nerves.

Gertrude I can take your place here, doctor, if that is so, can't I?

Vernon Yes. (To the General) I'll undertake to say that Francis is about as sick as I am! The fact of it is, I see rather too much and my presence is not desired—

The General (in a rage) What are you talking about? To whom do you refer?

Vernon Are you going to fly into a passion again? Do calm yourself, my old friend, or you will cause yourself eternal remorse.

The General Remorse?

Vernon Just keep these people talking, till I return.

The General But—

Gertrude (to Pauline) Tell me, how do you feel now, my sweet angel?

The General Just look at them.

Vernon Ah! Well, women stab each other with a smile and a kiss.



SCENE FIFTEENTH

The same persons (except Vernon) and Marguerite.

Gertrude (to the General, who seems as if he were bewildered by the last words of Vernon) What is the matter with you?

The General (passing before Gertrude to the side of Pauline) Nothing, nothing! Tell me, my little Pauline, is your engagement with Godard to be quite voluntary?

Pauline Quite voluntary.

Gertrude (aside) Ah!

The General He will be here soon.

Pauline I am expecting him.

The General (aside) There is a tremendous amount of bitterness in her tone.

(Marguerite appears with a tea-cup.)

Gertrude It is too soon, Marguerite, the infusion can't yet be strong enough! (She tastes it.) I must go and prepare it myself.

Marguerite I have always been in the habit of waiting upon Mlle. Pauline.

Gertrude What do you mean by speaking to me in this tone?

Marguerite But—madame—

The General Marguerite, if you say another word, we shall fall out.

Pauline Marguerite, you may just as well let Madame de Grandchamp have her way.

(Gertrude goes out with Marguerite.)

The General And so my little girl has not much confidence in the father who loves her so? Come now! Tell me why you so distinctly refused Godard yesterday, and yet, accept him to-day?

Pauline I suppose it is a young girl's whim.

The General Are you in love with anybody else?

Pauline It is because I am not in love with anybody else that I consent to marry your friend M. Godard!

(Gertrude comes in with Marguerite.)

The General Ah!

Gertrude Take this, my darling, but be careful, for it is a little hot.

Pauline Thank you, mother!

The General Mother! Truly, this is enough to drive one crazy with perplexity!

Pauline Marguerite, bring me the sugar basin!

(While Marguerite goes out and Gertrude talks with the General, Pauline drops the poison into the cup and lets fall the paper which contained it.)

Gertrude (to the General) You seem to be indisposed?

The General My dear, I cannot understand women; I am like Godard.

(Marguerite comes back.)

Gertrude You are like all other men.

Pauline (hurriedly drinking the poisoned cup) Ah!

Gertrude How are you now, my child?

Pauline I am better.

Gertrude I am going to prepare another cup for you.

Pauline Oh, no, madame, this will be quite enough! I would sooner wait for the doctor.

(Pauline sets down the empty cup on the table.)



SCENE SIXTEENTH

The same persons and Felix, then Godard.

Felix (looking inquiringly at Pauline) M. Godard asks if you will see him?

Pauline Certainly.

Gertrude (leaving the room) What do you intend saying to him.

Pauline Wait and see.

Godard (entering) I am sorry that mademoiselle is indisposed. I did not know it. I will not intrude. (They offer him a chair.) Mademoiselle, allow me to thank you above all for the kindness you have shown in receiving me in this sanctuary of innocence. Madame de Grandchamp and your father have just informed me of something which would have overwhelmed me with happiness yesterday, but rather astonishes me to-day.

The General That is to say, M. Godard—

Pauline Do not be hasty, father, M. Godard is right. You do not know all I said to him yesterday.

Godard You are far too clever, mademoiselle, not to consider as quite natural the curiosity of an honorable young man, who has an income of forty thousand francs, besides his savings, to learn of the reason why he should be accepted after a lapse of twenty-four hours from his rejection—For, yesterday, it was at this very hour—(He pulls out his watch) Half-past five—

The General What do you mean by all this? It looks as if you are not as much in love as you said you were. You have come here to complain of a charming girl at the very moment when she has told you—

Godard I would not complain, if the subject were not marriage. Marriage, General, is at once the cause and the effect of sentiment.

The General Pardon me, Godard, I am a little hasty, as you know.

Pauline (to Godard) Sir—(Aside) Oh, how I suffer! (Aloud) Sir, why should poor young girls—

Godard Poor? No, no, mademoiselle; you are not poor. You have four hundred thousand francs.

Pauline Why should weak young girls—

Godard Weak?

Pauline Well, then, innocent young persons—be so very fastidious about the character of the man who presents himself as their lord and master? If you love me, will you punish yourself—will you punish me—because your love has been submitted to a test?

Godard Of course, from that point of view—

The General Oh! These women! These women!

Godard You may just as well say, "These daughters."

The General Yes, for I am quite sure that mine has more brains than I have.



SCENE SEVENTEENTH

The same persons, Gertrude and then Napoleon.

Gertrude How has it turned out, M. Godard?

Godard Ah, Madame! General! My happiness is complete, and my dream fulfilled. For now I am to be admitted into a family like yours. To think that I —Ah! Madame! General! (Aside) I'd like to find out the mystery, for she has precious little love for me.

Napoleon (entering) Papa, I have won the school medal—Good-day, mamma—and where is Pauline? And so you are sick? Poor little sister! I'll tell you something—I have found out where justice comes from.

Gertrude And who told you? Ah! see what a lovely boy he is!

Napoleon The master told me that justice comes from God.

Godard It is very plain that your master was not born in Normandy.

Pauline (in a low voice to Marguerite) O Marguerite! Dear Marguerite! Do send them all away.

Marguerite Gentlemen, Mlle. Pauline desires to take a little nap.

The General Just so, Pauline, we will leave you, and you need not get up till dinner time.

Pauline I will certainly get up then if I can. Father, kiss me before you go.

The General (kissing her) My darling child! (To Napoleon) Come, my boy.

(They all go out, except Pauline, Marguerite and Napoleon.)

Napoleon (to Pauline) And how is it you do not kiss me? Tell me what ails you?

Pauline Oh! I am dying!

Napoleon Do people die? Pauline, what is death made of?

Pauline Death—is made—like this—

(Pauline falls back into Marguerite's arms.)

Marguerite Oh! My God! Help! Help!

Napoleon Oh! Pauline, you frighten me! (Running away.) Mamma! Mamma!

Curtain to the Fourth Act.



ACT V



SCENE FIRST

(The chamber of Pauline as before.)

Pauline, Ferdinand and Vernon.

(Pauline lies stretched upon her bed. Ferdinand holds her hand in an attitude of profound grief and despair. It is just before dawn and a lamp is burning.)

Vernon (seated near the table) I have seen thousands of dead men on the field of battle and in the ambulances, yet the death of this young girl under her father's roof moves me more profoundly than all those heroic sufferings. Death is perhaps a thing foreseen on the field of battle—it is even expected there; while here, it is not only the passing away of a single person, but a whole family is plunged in tears and fond hopes vanish. Here is this child, of whom I was so fond, murdered, poisoned—and by whom? Marguerite has rightly guessed the secret of this struggle between two rivals. It was impossible to refrain from communicating at once with the authorities. In the meantime, God knows I have used every effort to snatch this young life from the grave. (Ferdinand raises his head and listens to the doctor) I have even brought this poison, which may act as an antidote to the other; but the princes of medical science should have been present to witness the experiment! No man ought to venture upon such a throw of the dice.

Ferdinand (rises and approaches the doctor) Doctor, when the magistrates arrive, will you explain this experiment of yours; they will be sure to sanction it; and you may be sure that God, yes God, will hear me. He will work some miracle, He will give her back to me!

Vernon I should have ventured upon it before the action of the poison had wrought its full effects. If I did so now, I should be looked upon as the poisoner. No (he places a little flask upon the table), it would be useless now, and to give it with the most disinterested motives would be looked upon as a crime.

Ferdinand (after holding a mirror before Pauline's lips) Anything, everything is yet possible; she still breathes.

Vernon She will not live till daylight.

Pauline Ferdinand!

Ferdinand She has just uttered my name.

Vernon The vitality of a girl of twenty-two is very tenacious! Moreover, she will preserve consciousness, even to her last gasp. She might possibly rise from her bed and talk with us, although the sufferings caused by this terrible poison are inconceivable.



SCENE SECOND

The same persons and the General.

The General (outside) Vernon!

Vernon (to Ferdinand) It is the General. (Ferdinand, overcome with grief, falls back on the armchair, where he is concealed by the curtains of the bed.) What do you want?

The General I want to see Pauline!

Vernon If you take my advice, you will wait awhile; she is very much worse.

The General (entering) For that reason I shall come in.

Vernon Do not come in, General. Listen to me!

The General No, no! Ah, how motionless, how cold she is, Vernon!

Vernon Listen! General! (Aside) We must get him away somehow. (Aloud) There is but a faint hope of saving her.

The General You told me—You must have been deceiving me!

Vernon My friend, we have to look this catastrophe in the face, as we had to look towards the batteries through a shower of bullets! On such occasions, when I hesitated, you always went forward. (Aside) That is a good idea! (Aloud) You had better bring to her the consolations of religion.

The General Vernon, I wish to see her, to give her my last kiss.

Vernon Be careful!

The General (kissing her) Oh! How icy cold she is!

Vernon That is a peculiarity of her sickness, General. Hurry to the priest's house, for in case my remedies fail, it is not right that your daughter, who has been reared as a Christian, should be forgotten by the Church.

The General Ah! yes. I will go.

(The General moves towards the bed.)

Vernon (pointing towards the door) This way!

The General I quite lose my head; I am distracted—O Vernon, work a miracle for us! You have saved so many people—and here you cannot save the life of my child!

Vernon Come, come, be off. (Aside) I must go with him, for if he meets the magistrates there will be more trouble still.

(Exit the General and Vernon.)



SCENE THIRD

Pauline and Ferdinand.

Pauline Ferdinand!

Ferdinand Ah! My God! Can this be her last sigh? Pauline, you are my very life; if Vernon does not save you, I will follow you, and we shall still be united.

Pauline I shall expire, then, without a single regret.

Ferdinand (takes up the flask) That which would have saved you, if the doctor had arrived earlier, shall deliver me from life.

Pauline No, for you may still be happy.

Ferdinand Never, without you.

Pauline Your words revive me.



SCENE FOURTH

The same persons and Vernon.

Ferdinand She speaks; her eyes once more are open.

Vernon Poor child! There she falls asleep again. What shall the waking be?

(Ferdinand sits down again and takes the hand of Pauline.)



SCENE FIFTH

The same persons, Ramel, the Investigating Magistrate, a Doctor, a Corporal of Police and Marguerite.

Marguerite M. Vernon, the magistrates are here. M. Ferdinand, you must leave the room.

(Exit Ferdinand.)

Ramel Take care, corporal, that all the entrances of this house are guarded, and observe our orders! Doctor, can we remain here a few moments without danger to the sick lady?

Vernon She is asleep, sir; and it is her last slumber.

Marguerite Here is the cup into which the infusion was poured and which still has traces of arsenic; I perceived it there as soon as I took hold of it.

The Doctor (examining the cup and tasting the contents) It is evident that the liquid contains some poisonous substance.

The Magistrate Please to make an analysis of it. (He sees Marguerite picking up a small piece of paper from the ground.) What paper is that?

Marguerite Oh, it is nothing.

Ramel In such cases as these, nothing is insignificant in the eyes of magistrates! Yes, gentlemen, we shall have to examine this paper later. What can have delayed M. de Grandchamp?

Vernon He is at the priest's house, but he will not stay there long.

The Magistrate (to the doctor) Have you made your examination yet, sir?

(The two physicians converse together at the head of the bed.)

Ramel (to the magistrate) If the General returns, we must deal with him according to the circumstances.

(Marguerite is weeping, kneeling at the foot of the bed; the two physicians, the judge and Ramel are grouped in the front of the stage.)

Ramel (to the doctor) It is therefore of your opinion, sir, that the illness of Mlle. de Grandchamp, whom we saw two days ago full of health, and even of happiness, is the result of a crime?

The Doctor The symptoms of poisoning are undeniable.

Ramel And are the remains of the poison contained in this cup so discernible, and present in such a quantity, as to furnish legal proof?

The Doctor Yes, sir.

The Magistrate (to Vernon) This woman alleges, sir, that yesterday, at four o'clock, you prescribed for Mlle. de Grandchamp an infusion of orange leaves, as a soothing draught for the nervous excitement which followed upon an interview between the stepmother and her stepdaughter; she says, moreover, that Madame de Grandchamp, who had despatched you on an empty errand to a place four leagues away, had insisted upon preparing and giving everything to her daughter herself; is this true?

Vernon Yes, sir.

Marguerite When I persisted in my purpose of attending myself upon my young mistress, my poor master was incensed to the point of reproaching me.

Ramel (to Vernon) Where did Madame de Grandchamp send you?

Vernon Everything is ominous in this mysterious affair. Madame de Grandchamp was so anxious to get me out of the way that she sent me three leagues to visit a sick man, who, I found when I reached his home, was drinking in the inn. I blamed Champagne for deceiving Madame de Grandchamp, and Champagne positively told me that the workman had not appeared at the factory, but that he himself knows nothing about his alleged sickness.

Felix Gentlemen, the clergy are here.

Ramel We can continue our proceedings in the drawing-room.

Vernon This way, gentlemen, this way.

(Scene curtain.)



SCENE SIXTH

(The drawing-room.)

Ramel, the Magistrate, the Sheriff's Officer and Vernon.

Ramel Here, then, is the result so far of our inquiry, in accordance with the evidence of Felix and Marguerite. Madame de Grandchamp, in the first place, administered to her stepdaughter a dose of opium, and you, M. Vernon, who were present and saw the criminal attempt, managed to secure and lock up the cup.

Vernon It is true, gentlemen, but—

Ramel How is it, M. Vernon, that when you witnessed this criminal attempt, you did not check Madame de Grandchamp in the fatal course which she was then pursuing?

Vernon Believe me, gentlemen, I did everything which I thought could be done with prudence, and all that my long experience suggested was attempted by me.

The Magistrate Your conduct, sir, was peculiar, and you will be called upon to explain it. You did your duty yesterday in preserving the cup as evidence; but why did you not go further?

Ramel Pardon me, M. Cordier, this gentleman is advanced in years; he is an honest and trustworthy man. (He takes Vernon aside) You have found out, I suppose, the cause of this crime.

Vernon It springs from a rivalry between two women, who have been urged on to the most violent extremes by their reckless passions. And I was obliged to keep silence on the subject.

Ramel I know the whole business.

Vernon You! sir?

Ramel Yes, and, like you, I have done everything to prevent this catastrophe; for Ferdinand was to leave this very night. I knew Mlle. Gertrude de Meilhac in former years, having met her at the house of my friend.

Vernon Oh! sir, show clemency! Have pity on an old soldier, crippled with wounds, and enslaved by delusions. He is in danger of losing both his daughter and his wife. Heaven grant he may not lose his honor also!

Ramel We understand each other. So long as Gertrude does not make such admissions as force us to see the real situation, I shall endeavor to persuade the investigating magistrate—who is an extremely sagacious and honest man of ten years' experience—I shall try to make him believe that cupidity alone has influenced Madame de Grandchamp. You must assist me. (The magistrate approaches; Ramel nods to Vernon and puts on an expression of severity.) Why did Madame de Grandchamp wish to drug her stepdaughter? You, who are the friend of the household, ought to know this.

Vernon Pauline was about to confide her secrets to me. Her stepmother thought that I was learning certain things which her interest required should be concealed; and that, sir, is doubtless the reason why she sent me to treat a workman who was in good health, and not to prevent help from being brought to Pauline, for Louviers is not so far off.

The Magistrate What forethought she has! She won't be able to escape if we find the proofs of crime in her desk. She does not expect us here; she will be thunderstruck.



SCENE SEVENTH

The same persons, Gertrude and Marguerite.

Gertrude I hear the strains of church music! What, is there another trial going on here? What can be happening? (She goes to the door of Pauline's chamber and starts back terrified, on the appearance of Marguerite.) Ah!

Marguerite They are offering prayers over the body of your victim!

Gertrude Pauline! Pauline! Dead!

The Magistrate And it is you, madame, who have poisoned her.

Gertrude I! I! I! Ah! what is this? Am I asleep or awake? (To Ramel) Ah! How extremely fortunate for me in this meeting! For you know the whole affair, don't you? Do you believe me capable of a crime like this? What! Am I actually accused of it? Do you think that I would have made an attack upon her life? I, the mother of a child, before whom I would not wish to be disgraced? Justice will vindicate me—Marguerite, let no one leave the room. Gentlemen, tell me what has taken place since yesterday evening, when I left Pauline slightly indisposed?

The Magistrate Madame, collect yourself! You stand before the tribunal of your country.

Gertrude You chill me with such words—

The Magistrate The administration of justice in France is the most perfect of criminal procedures. No traps are set, for justice proceeds, acts, and speaks with open face, for she is solely intent upon her mission, which is, the discovery of the truth. At the present moment, you are merely inculpated, and in me you must see your protector. But tell the truth, whatever it may be; the final result will be decided at a higher tribunal.

Gertrude Ah! sir, take me into her chamber, and in presence of Pauline I will cry out, what I cry out before you—I am guiltless of her death!

The Magistrate Madame!

Gertrude Sir, let us have none of those long phrases, with which you blind the eyes of people. I suffer pains unheard of! I weep for Pauline as though she were my child, and—I forgive her everything! What do you want with me? Proceed, and I will answer you.

Ramel What is it that you will forgive her?

Gertrude I mean—

Ramel (in a low voice) Be cautious in your replies.

Gertrude You are right, for precipices yawn on every side!

The Magistrate (to the sheriff's officer) Names and titles may be taken later; now write down the notes of the investigation, and the inquiry. (To Gertrude) Did you yesterday forenoon put opium into the tea of Mlle. de Grandchamp?

Gertrude Ah! doctor—this is you.

Ramel Do not accuse the doctor. He has already too seriously compromised himself for you! Answer the magistrate!

Gertrude It is true.

The Magistrate Madame recognizes the cup and admits that she put opium in it. That will be enough for the present, at this stage of the inquiry.

Gertrude Do you accuse me then of something further? What is it?

The Magistrate Madame, if you cannot free yourself from blame with regard to a later event, you may be charged with the crime of poisoning. We must now proceed to seek proofs either of your innocence or of your guilt.

Gertrude Where will you seek them?

The Magistrate From you! Yesterday you gave Mlle. de Grandchamp an infusion of orange leaves, in another cup which contained arsenic.

Gertrude Can it be possible!

The Magistrate The day before yesterday you declared that the key of your desk, in which the arsenic was locked, never left your possession.

Gertrude It is in my dress pocket.

The Magistrate Have you ever made any use of that arsenic?

Gertrude No; you will find the parcel still sealed.

Ramel Ah! madame, I sincerely hope so.

The Magistrate I very much doubt it; this is one of those audacious criminals—

Gertrude The chamber is in disorder, permit me—

The Magistrate No, no! All three of us will enter it.

Ramel Your innocence is now at stake.

Gertrude Gentlemen, let us go in together.



SCENE EIGHTH

Vernon (alone) My poor General! He kneels by the bed of his daughter; he weeps, he prays! Alas! God alone can give her back to him.



SCENE NINTH

Vernon, Gertrude, Ramel, the Magistrate and the Sheriff's Officer.

Gertrude I scarce can believe my senses; I am dreaming—I am—

Ramel You are ruined, madame.

Gertrude Yes, sir—But by whom?

The Magistrate (to the sheriff's officer) Write down that Madame de Grandchamp having herself unlocked for us the desk in her bedchamber and having herself given into our hands the parcel sealed by M. Baudrillon, this parcel which two days ago was intact is found unsealed and from it has been taken a dose, more than sufficient to produce death.

Gertrude Death!—And I?

The Magistrate Madame, it was not without reason that I took from your desk this torn piece of paper. We have also picked up in Mlle. de Grandchamp's chamber a piece of paper, which exactly fits to it; and this proves that when you reached your desk, in that confusion which crime always brings upon criminals, you took up this paper to wrap up the dose, which you intended to mix with the infusion.

Gertrude You said that you were my protector! And there, see now—

The Magistrate Give me your attention, madame. In face of such suspicions, I feel I shall have to change the writ of summons into a writ of bail or imprisonment. (He signs the document.) And now, madame, you must consider yourself under arrest.

Gertrude Of course, I will do all that you wish! But you told me that your mission was to search for the truth—Ah! Let us search for it here—Let us search for it here!

The Magistrate Certainly, madame.

Gertrude (to Ramel; she is weeping) O M. Ramel!

Ramel Have you anything to say in your defence which would lead us to cancel this terrible sentence?

Gertrude Gentlemen, I am innocent of the crime of poisoning, and yet all is against me! I implore you, give my your help instead of torturing me! And listen to me—Some one must have taken my key,—can you not understand? Some one must have come into my room—Ah! I see it all now— (To Ramel) Pauline loved as I loved; she has poisoned herself!

Ramel For the sake of your honor, do not say that, without the most convincing proofs, otherwise—

The Magistrate Madame, is it true that, yesterday, you, knowing Doctor Vernon was to dine with you, sent him—

Gertrude Oh! you,—your questions are so many daggers at my heart! And yet you go on, you still go on.

The Magistrate Did you send him away to attend a workman at Pre-l'Eveque?

Gertrude I did, sir.

The Magistrate This workman, madame, was found in a tavern, and in excellent help.

Gertrude Champagne had told me that he was sick.

The Magistrate We have questioned Champagne, and he denies this, averring that he said nothing about sickness. The fact of it was, you wished to preclude the possibility of medical aid.

Gertrude (aside) It was Pauline! It was she who made me send away Vernon! O Pauline! You have dragged me down with yourself into the tomb, to which I sink bearing the name of criminal! No! No! No! (To Ramel) Sir, I have but one avenue of escape. (To Vernon) Is Pauline still alive?

Vernon (pointing to the General) Here is my answer.



SCENE TENTH

The same persons and the General.

The General (to Vernon) She is dying, my friend! If I lose her, I shall never survive it.

Vernon My friend!

The General It seems to me that there are a great many people here—What must be done? Oh, try to save her! I wonder where Gertrude is.

(They give the General a seat.)

Gertrude (sinking at the feet of the General) My friend! Poor father! I would this instant I might be killed without a trial. (She rises.) No, Pauline has wrapped me in her shroud, I feel her icy hands about my neck. And yet I was resigned. Yes, I would have buried with me the secret of this terrible drama, which every woman should understand! But I am weary of this struggle with a corpse that holds me tight, and communicates to me the coldness and the stiffness of death! I have made up my mind that my innocence of this crime shall come forth victorious at the expense of somebody's honor; for never, never could I become a vile and cowardly poisoner. Yes, I shall tell the whole, dark tale.

The General (rising from his seat and coming forward) Ah! so you are going to say in the face of justice all that for two days you have concealed by such obstinate silence—vile and ungrateful creature, fawning liar!—you have killed my daughter. Are you going to kill me also?

Gertrude Ought I to keep silence?—Ought I to speak?

Ramel General, be kind enough to retire. The law commands.

The General The law? You represent the justice of men, I represent the justice of God, and am higher than you all! I am at once accuser, tribunal, sentence and executioner—Come, madame, tell us what you have to say?

Gertrude (at the General's feet) Forgive me, sir—Yes—I am—

Ramel Oh, poor wretch!

Gertrude (aside) I cannot say it! Oh! for his honor's sake, may he never know the truth. (Aloud) I am guilty before all the world, but to you I say, and will repeat it to my last breath, I am innocent! And some future day the truth shall speak from out two tombs, the cruel truth, which will show to you that you also are not free from reproach, but from the very blindness of your hate are culpable in all.

The General I? I? Am I losing my senses? Do you dare to accuse me? (Perceiving Pauline.) Ah! Ah! My God!



SCENE ELEVENTH

The same persons, and Pauline (supported by Ferdinand).

Pauline They have told me all! This woman is innocent of the crime whereof she is accused. Religion has at last taught me that pardon cannot be obtained on high except by those who leave it behind them here below. I took from Madame the key of her desk, I myself sought the poison. I myself tore off the paper to wrap it up, for I wished to die.

Gertrude O Pauline! Take my life, take all I love—Oh, doctor, save her!

The Magistrate Is this the truth, mademoiselle?

Pauline The truth, yes, for the dying alone speak it—

The Magistrate We know then actually nothing about this business.

Pauline (to Gertrude) Do you know why I came to draw you from the abyss which had engulfed you? It is because Ferdinand spoke to me a word which brought me back from the tomb. He has so great a horror of being left with you in life that he follows me, and will follow me to the grave, where we shall rest together, wedded in death.

Gertrude Ferdinand! Ah, my God! At what a price have I been saved!

The General But unhappy child, wherefore must you die? Am I not, have I ceased for one moment to be a good father? And yet they say that I am culpable.

Ferdinand Yes, General, I alone can give the answer to the riddle, and can explain to you your guilt.

The General You, Ferdinand, you to whom I offered my daughter, you who loved her—

Ferdinand My name is Ferdinand Comte de Marcandal, son of General Marcandal. Do you understand?

The General Ah! son of a traitor! What could you bring to my home but death and treachery! Defend yourself!

Ferdinand Would you fight, General, with the dead?

(Ferdinand falls.)

Gertrude (rushes to Ferdinand with a cry) Oh! (She recoils before the General, and approaches his daughter, then draws forth a phial, but immediately flings it away.) I will condemn myself to live for this old man! (The General kneels beside his dying daughter.) Doctor, what will become of him? Is he likely to lose his reason?

The General (stammering like a man who has lost his speech) I—I—I—

Vernon General, what is it?

The General I—I am trying—to pray—for my daughter!

Final curtain.

THE END