Part 26 (1/2)

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 G.o.d! 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--