Part 18 (2/2)

JOHN.

In the face of the insolence and audacity of the accused, I require her immediate arrest.

THE COMMISSARY.

I know the rights that the law gives me, and the duties that I have to fulfil. All that has been said has been recorded in the accusation; I limit my office to that. (_To_ NOURVADY.) As you are not in your own house, sir, you can retire; only as the avenue is full of people in front of the princ.i.p.al entrance, leave the house by this exit: one of my agents will join you, in order that the policeman may allow you to pa.s.s.

(_He points to the left._ NOURVADY _bows to_ LIONNETTE _and goes out by the left, pa.s.sing in front of_ JOHN, _who, standing with his arms folded, pretends not to see the provoking salute_ NOURVADY _gives him_.)

THE COMMISSARY (_to_ LIONNETTE).

With regard to you, Madam, as you are in your own house, enter, I beg of you, into your apartment, and if you wish to go out, do not go till some time after our departure, when there will be no longer inquisitive persons outside, and you will be sure not to be insulted.

LIONNETTE.

Thank you, sir.

(_She goes out by the door at the right_).

THE COMMISSARY (_to_ JOHN).

I am going to deliver my report to the Judge. You have ten days to withdraw your complaint, sir--a complaint that perhaps you were very wrong to bring. That woman accuses herself too much. I believe her to be innocent. Go out of this house before me, sir; the people saw us come in together, and if we go out in the same way they will recognise you as the husband, and they might say disagreeable things to you. The French people do not approve of husbands who surprise their wives by the appearance of a Commissary of Police. I have the honour to wish you good morning.

(JOHN _bows to him and goes away_. THE COMMISSARY _comes back and sits down near his Secretary, to complete the last formalities_.)

ACT III.

_The same decorations as in the first Act._

SCENE I.

JOHN, G.o.dLER, TReVELe.

(G.o.dLER _is sitting down_, TReVELe _standing_. JOHN _is walking about in great agitation_.)

G.o.dLER.

And then?

JOHN (_sitting down_).

Then, just as I was going to start for my sister's house, and everybody thought me gone, for I had no wish to sleep in this house, suddenly I was seized with the idea of concealing myself, and following my wife if she went out, so as to convince myself, and if she deceived me to disgrace her publicly. This morning I saw her go out veiled, take a cab, and alight at that house in the Champs Elysees. It was very clear. I went to fetch a Commissary of Police, who lives close by that house. He hesitated at first, but the fear of a greater misfortune, of a crime that I was resolved to commit, decided him to go; and on the refusal of Mr. Nourvady to open the door, they forced it open.

TReVELe.

And the Countess was there?

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