Chapter 4

SCENE FIRST

(The stage represents Madame du Brocard's salon, from which can be seen the Court of Assizes.)

Madame du Brocard, Madame Rousseau, Rousseau, Joseph Binet, Dupre and Justine.

(Dupre is seated reading his note-book.)

Mme. Rousseau M. Dupre!

Dupre Yes, madame, the court adjourned after the speech of the prosecuting attorney. And I came over to reassure you personally.

Mme. du Brocard I told you, sister, that some one was sure to come and keep us informed of things. In my house, here, which is so close to the court house, we are in a favorable position for learning all that goes on at the trial. Ah, M. Dupre! How can we thank you enough! You spoke superbly! (To Justine) Justine, bring in something to drink--Quick!

Rousseau Sir, your speech-- (To his wife) He was magnificent.

Dupre Sir,--

Joseph (in tears) Yes, you were magnificent, magnificent!

Dupre I am not the person you ought to thank, but that child, that Pamela, who showed such astonishing courage.

Joseph And didn't I do well?

Mme. Rousseau And he (pointing to Binet), did he carry out the threat he made to us?

Dupre No, he took your side.

Joseph It was your fault! But for you--Ah!--Well--I reached the court house, having made up my mind to mix up everything; but when I saw all the people, the judge, the jury, the crowd, and the terrible silence, I trembled! Nevertheless I screwed up my courage. When I was questioned, I was just about to answer, when my glance met the eyes of Mlle. Pamela, which were filled with tears--I felt as if my tongue was bound. And on the other side I saw M. Jules--a handsome youth, his fine face conspicuous among them all. His expression was as tranquil as if he had been a mere spectator. That knocked me out! "Don't be afraid," said the judge to me. I was absolutely beside myself! I was afraid of making some mistake; and then I had sworn to keep to the truth; and then M. Dupre fixed his eye on me. I can't tell you what that eye seemed to say to me--My tongue seemed twisted up. I broke out into a sweat--my heart beat hard--and I began to cry, like a fool. You were magnificent. And then in a moment it was all over. He made me do exactly what he wanted. This is the way I lied: I said that on the evening of the twenty-fourth I unexpectedly came to Pamela's room and found M. Jules there--Yes, at Pamela's, the girl whom I was going to marry, whom I still love--and our marriage will be the talk of the whole neighborhood. Never mind, he's a great lawyer! Never mind! (To Justine) Give me something to drink, will you?

Rousseau, Mme. Rousseau, Mme. du Brocard (To Joseph) Dear friend! You showed yourself a fine fellow!

Dupre The energy shown by Pamela makes me hopeful. I trembled for a moment while she was giving evidence; the prosecuting attorney pressed her very hard and seemed to doubt her veracity; she grew pale and I thought she was going to faint.

Joseph And what must my feelings have been?

Dupre Her self-sacrifice was wonderful. You don't realize all that she has undergone for you; I, myself even, was deceived by her; she was her own accuser, yet all the time was innocent. Only one moment did she falter; but darting a rapid glance at Jules, she suddenly rallied, a blush took the place of pallor on her countenance, and we felt that she had saved her lover; in spite of the risk she was running, she repeated once more before all those people the story of her own disgrace, and then fell weeping into the arms of her mother.

Joseph Yes, she is a fine girl.

Dupre But I must leave you; the summing up of the judge will come this afternoon.

Rousseau You must be going then.

Dupre One moment! Do not forget Pamela! That young girl has compromised her own honor for you and for him.

Joseph As for me, I don't ask anything, but I have been led to expect--

Mme. du Brocard, Mme. Rousseau We can never pay our debt of gratitude to you.

Dupre Very good; come, gentlemen, we must be starting.

(Exeunt Dupre and Rousseau.)

SCENE SECOND

The same persons excepting Dupre and Rousseau.

Mme. du Brocard (stopping Joseph on his way out) Listen to me!

Joseph What can I do for you?

Mme. du Brocard You see in what a state of anxiety we are; don't fail to let us know the least turn in our favor which the trial makes.

Mme. Rousseau Yes, keep us well informed on the whole business.

Joseph You may rest assured of that--But look here, I needn't leave the court house to do that, I intend to see everything, and to hear everything. But do you see that window there? My seat is just under it; you watch that window, and it if he is declared innocent you will see me wave my handkerchief.

Mme. Rousseau Do not forget to do so.

Joseph No danger of that; I am a poor chap, but I know what a mother's heart is! I am interested in this case, and for you, and for Pamela, I have said a lot of things! But when you are fond of people you'll do anything, and then I have been promised something--you may count upon me. (Exit.)

SCENE THIRD

The same persons excepting Joseph.

Mme. Rousseau Justine, open this window, and wait for the signal which the young man has promised to give--Ah! but suppose my boy were condemned!

Mme. du Brocard M. Dupre has spoken very hopefully about matters.

Mme. Rousseau But with regard to this good girl, this admirable Pamela--what must we do for her?

Mme. du Brocard We ought to do something to make her happy! I acknowledge that this young person is a succor sent from heaven! Only a noble heart could make the sacrifice that she has made! She deserves a fortune for it! Thirty thousand francs! That is what she ought to have. Jules owes his life to her. (Aside) Poor boy, will his life be saved?

(Mme. du Brocard looks toward the window.)

Mme. Rousseau Well, Justine, do you see anything?

Justine Nothing, madame.

Mme. Rousseau Nothing yet! Yes, you are right, sister, it is only the heart that can prompt such noble actions. I do not know what you and my husband would think about it, but if we considered what was right, and had full regard to the happiness of Jules, apart from the brilliant prospect of an alliance with the family of De Verby, if my son loved her and she loved my son--it seems to me reasonable--

Mme. du Brocard and Justine No! No!

Mme. Rousseau Oh, sister! Say yes! Has she not well deserved it? But there is some one coming.

(The two women remain in their seats with clasped hands.)

SCENE FOURTH

The same persons and De Verby.

Justine M. le General de Verby!

Mme. Rousseau and Mme. du Brocard Ah!

De Verby Everything is going on well! My presence was no longer necessary, so I return to you. There are great hopes of your son's acquittal. The charge of the presiding judge is decidedly in his favor.

Mme. Rousseau (joyfully) Thank God!

De Verby Jules has behaved admirably! My brother the Comte de Verby is very much interested in his favor. My niece looks upon him as a hero, and I know courage and honorable conduct when I see them. When once this affair has been settled, we will hasten the marriage.

Mme. Rousseau We ought to tell you, sir, that we have made certain promises to this young girl.

Mme. du Brocard Never mind that, sister.

De Verby Doubtless the young girl deserves some recompense, and I suppose you will give her fifteen or twenty thousand francs,--that is due her.

Mme. du Brocard You see, sister, that M. de Verby is a noble and generous man, and since he has fixed upon this sum, I think it will be sufficient.

Justine M. Rousseau!

Mme. du Brocard O brother!

Mme. Rousseau Dear husband!

SCENE FIFTH

The same persons and Rousseau.

De Verby (to Rousseau) Have you good news?

Mme. Rousseau Is he acquitted?

Rousseau No, but it is rumored that he is going to be; the jury are in consultation; I couldn't stay there any longer; I couldn't stand the suspense; I told Antoine to hurry here as soon as the verdict is given.

Mme. Rousseau We shall learn what the verdict is from this window; we have agreed upon a signal to be given by that youth, Joseph Binet.

Rousseau Ah! keep a good look out, Justine.

Mme. Rousseau And how is Jules? What a trying time it must be for him!

Rousseau Not at all! The unfortunate boy astonishes me by his coolness. Such courage as he has is worthy of a better cause than that of conspiracy. To think of his having put us in such a position! But for this I might have been appointed President of the Chamber of Commerce.

De Verby You forget that, after all, his marriage with a member of my family will make some amends for his trouble.

Rousseau (struck by a sudden thought) Ah, general! When I left the court room, Jules stood surrounded by his friends, among whom were M. Dupre and the young girl Pamela. Your niece and Madame de Verby must have noticed it, and I hope that you will try to explain matters to them.

(While Rousseau speaks with the general the ladies are watching for the signal.)

De Verby Rest assured of that! I will take care that Jules appears as white as snow! It is of very great importance to explain this affair of the working-girl, otherwise the Comtesse de Verby might oppose the marriage. We must explain away this apparent amour, and she must be made to understand that the girl's evidence was a piece of self- sacrifice for which she had been paid.

Rousseau I certainly intend to do my duty towards that young girl. I shall give her eight or ten thousand francs. It seems to me that that will be liberal, very liberal!

Mme. Rousseau (while Mme. du Brocard tries to restrain her) Ah, sir, but what of her honor?

Rousseau Well, I suppose that some one will marry her.

SCENE SIXTH

The same persons and Joseph.

Joseph (dashing in) Monsieur! Madame! Give me some cologne or something, I beg you!

All Whatever can be the matter?

Joseph M. Antoine, your footman, is bringing Pamela here.

Rousseau Has anything happened?

Joseph When she saw the jury come in to give their verdict she was taken ill! Her father and mother, who were in the crowd at the other end of the court, couldn't stir. I cried out, and the presiding judge made them put me out of court!

Mme. Rousseau But Jules! My son! What did the jury say?

Joseph I know nothing! I had no eyes except for Pamela. As for your son, I suppose he is all right, but first with me comes Pamela--

De Verby But you must have seen how the jury looked!

Joseph Oh, yes! The foreman of the jury looked so gloomy--so severe--that I am quite persuaded-- (He shudders.)

Mme. Rousseau My poor Jules!

Joseph Here comes Antoine and Mlle. Pamela.

SCENE SEVENTH

The same persons, Antoine and Pamela.

(They lead Pamela to a seat and give her smelling salts.)

Mme. du Brocard My dear child!

Mme. Rousseau My daughter!

Rousseau Mademoiselle!

Pamela I couldn't stand it any longer, the excitement was too great--and the suspense was so cruel. I tried to brace up my courage by the calmness of M. Jules while the jury was deliberating; the smile which he wore made me share his presentiment of coming release! But I was chilled to the heart when I looked at the pale, impassive countenance of M. Dupre!--And then, the sound of the bell that announced the return of the jury, and the murmur of anxiety that ran through the court--I was quite overcome!--A cold sweat suffused my cheek and I fainted.

Joseph As for me, I shouted out, and they threw me into the street.

De Verby (to Rousseau) If by mischance--

Rousseau Sir!

De Verby (to Rousseau and the women) If it should be necessary to appeal the case (pointing to Pamela), could we count upon her?

Mme. Rousseau On her? To the end; I am sure of that.

Mme. du Brocard Pamela!

Rousseau Tell me, you who have shown yourself so good, so generous,--if we should still have need of your unselfish aid, would you be ready?

Pamela Quite ready, sir! I have but one object, one single thought!--and that is, to save M. Jules!

Joseph (aside) She loves him, she loves him!

Rousseau Ah! all that I have is at your disposal.

(A murmur and cries are heard; general alarm.)

All What a noise they are making! Listen to their shouts!

(Pamela totters to her feet. Joseph runs to the window, where Justine is watching.)

Joseph There's a crowd of people rushing down the steps of the court,--they are coming here!

Justine and Joseph It is M. Jules!

Rousseau and Mme. Rousseau My son!

Mme. du Brocard and Pamela Jules!

(They rush forward to Jules.)

De Verby He is acquitted!

SCENE EIGHTH

The same persons and Jules (brought in by his mother and his aunt and followed by his friends).

(Jules flings himself into the arms of his mother; he does not at first see Pamela, who is seated in a corner near Joseph.)

Jules O mother! Dear aunt! And my father! Here I am, restored to liberty again! (To General de Verby and the friends who have come with him) Let me thank you, general, and you, my friends, for your kind sympathy.

(After general handshaking the friends depart.)

Mme. Rousseau And so my son has at last come back to me! It seems too good to be true.

Joseph (to Pamela) Well, and what of you? He hasn't said a word to you, and you are the only one he hasn't seen.

Pamela Silence, Joseph, silence!

(Pamela retires to the end of the stage.)

De Verby Not only have you been acquitted, but you have also gained a high place in the esteem of those who are interested in the affair! You have exhibited both courage and discretion, such as have gratified us all.

Rousseau Everybody has behaved well. Antoine, you have done nobly; you will end your life in this house.

Mme. Rousseau (to Jules) Let me express my gratitude to M. Adolph Durand.

(Jules presents his friend.)

Jules Yes, but my real deliverer, my guardian angel is poor Pamela! How well she understood my situation and her own also! What self-sacrifice she showed! Can I ever forget her emotion, her terror!--and then she fainted! (Mme. Rousseau, who has been thinking of nothing else but her son, now looks around for Pamela, sees her, and brings her up to Jules.) Ah, Pamela! Pamela! My gratitude to you shall be eternal!

Pamela Ah, M. Jules! How happy I feel.

Jules We will never part again? Will we, mother? She shall be your daughter!

De Verby (to Rousseau with vehemence) My sister and my niece are expecting an answer; you will have to exercise your authority, sir. This young man seems to have a lively and romantic imagination. He is in danger of missing his career through a too scrupulous sense of honor, and a generosity which is tinged with folly!

Rousseau (in embarrassment) The fact is--

De Verby But I have your word.

Mme. du Brocard Speak out, brother!

Jules Mother, do you answer them, and show yourself on my side?

Rousseau (taking Jules by the hand) Jules! I shall never forget the service which this young girl has done us. I understand the promptings of your gratitude; but as you are aware the Comte de Verby has our promise; it is not right that you should lightly sacrifice your future! You are not wanting in energy, you have given sufficient proof of that! A young conspirator should be quite able to extricate himself from such an affair as this.

De Verby (to Jules) Undoubtedly! And our future diplomat will have a splendid chance.

Rousseau Moreover my wishes in the matter--

Jules O father!

Dupre (appearing) Jules, I still have to take up your defence.

Pamela and Joseph M. Dupre!

Jules My friend!

Mme. du Brocard It is the lawyer.

Dupre I see! I am no longer "my dear Monsieur Dupre"!

Mme. du Brocard Oh, you are always that! But before paying our debt of gratitude to you, we have to think about this young girl.

Dupre (coldly) I beg your pardon, madame.

De Verby This man is going to spoil everything.

Dupre (to Rousseau) I heard all you said. It transcends all I have ever experienced. I could not have believed that ingratitude could follow so soon on the acceptance of a benefit. Rich as you are, rich as your son will be, what fairer task have you to perform than that of satisfying your conscience? In saving Jules, this girl has brought disgrace upon herself! Can it be possible that the fortune which you have so honorably gained should have killed in your heart every generous sentiment, and that self-interest alone-- (He sees Mme. du Brocard making signs to her brother.) Ah! that is right, madame! It is you that give the tone in this household! And I forgot while I was pleading to this gentleman, that you would be at his elbow when I was no longer here.

Mme. du Brocard We have pledged our word to the Count and Countess of Verby! Mlle. Pamela, whose friend I shall be all my life, did not effect the deliverance of my nephew on the understanding that she should blight his prospects.

Rousseau There ought to be some basis of equality in a union by marriage. My son will some day have an income of eighty thousand francs.

Joseph (aside) That suits me to a T. I shall marry her now. But this fellow here, he talks more like a Jewish money-changer than a father.

De Verby (to Dupre) I think, sir, that your talent and character are such as to claim our highest admiration and esteem. The Rousseau family will always preserve your name in grateful memory; but these private discussions must be carried on without witnesses from outside. M. Rousseau has given me his word and I keep him to his promise! (To Jules) Come, my young friend, come to my brother's house; my niece is expecting you. To-morrow we will sign the marriage contract.

(Pamela falls senseless on her chair.)

Joseph Ah, what have you done! Mlle. Pamela!

Dupre and Jules (darting towards her) Good heavens!

De Verby (taking Jules by the hand) Come--come--

Dupre Stop a moment! I should have been glad to think that I was not the only protector that was left her! But listen, the matter is not yet ended! Pamela will certainly be arrested as a false witness! (Seizes the hand of De Verby.) And you will all be ruined.

(Dupre leads off Pamela.)

Joseph (hiding behind a sofa) Don't tell anybody that I am here!

Curtain to the Fourth Act.