Part 24 (1/2)

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 pa.s.sports, 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 s.h.i.+p. Eugene has sent a trusty man to secure me a pa.s.sage 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!