Part 32 (1/2)

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 doc.u.ment.) And now, madame, you must consider yourself under arrest.

Gertrude Of course, I will do all that you wis.h.!.+ 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.)