Pauline Madame de Grandchamp has doubtless her reasons for supposing that I have an attachment for my father’s clerk.  Oh!  I see how it is, she wishes you to say:  “If your heart, my daughter, has no preference for any one, marry Godard.” (In a low voice to Gertrude) This, madame, is an atrocious move!  To make me abjure my love in my father’s presence!  But I will have my revenge.

Gertrude (aside to Pauline)
As you choose about that; but marry Godard you shall!

The General (aside)
Can it be possible that these two are at variance?  I must question
Ferdinand. (Aloud) What were you saying to each other?

Gertrude
Your daughter, my dear, did not like my idea that she was taken with a
subordinate; she is deeply humiliated at the thought.

The General
Am I to understand, then, my daughter, that you are not in love with
him?

Pauline Father, I—­I do not ask you to marry me to any one!  I am perfectly happy!  The only thing which God has given us women, as our very own, is our heart.  I do not understand why Madame de Grandchamp, who is not my mother, should interfere with my feelings.

Gertrude My child, I desire nothing but your happiness.  I am merely your stepmother, I know, but if you had been in love with Ferdinand, I should have—­

The General (kissing Gertrude’s hand)
How good you are!

Pauline (aside)
I feel as if I were strangled!  Ah!  If I could only undo her!

Gertrude
Yes, I should have thrown myself at your father’s feet, to win his
consent, if he had refused it.

The General
Here comes Ferdinand. (Aside) I shall question him at my discretion;
and then perhaps the mystery will be cleared up.

Scenesixth

The same persons and Ferdinand.

The General (to Ferdinand) Come here, my friend.  You have been with us over three years now, and I am indebted to you for the power of sleeping soundly amid all the cares of an extensive business.  You are almost as much as I am the master of my factory.  You have been satisfied with a salary, pretty large it is true, but scarcely proportionate perhaps to the services rendered by you.  I think at last I understand the motive of your disinterestedness.

Ferdinand
It is my duty, General.

The General Granted; but does not the heart count for a good deal in this?  Come now, Ferdinand, you know my way of considering the different ranks of society, and the distinctions pertaining to them.  We are all the sons of our own works.  I have been a soldier.  You may therefore have full confidence in me.  They have told me all; how you love a certain young person, here present.  If you desire it, she shall be yours.  My wife had pleaded your cause, and I must acknowledge that she has gained it before the tribunal of my heart.

Ferdinand General, can this be true?  Madame de Grandchamp has pleaded my cause?  Ah, madame! (He falls on his knees before her.) I acknowledge in this your greatness of heart!  You are sublime, you are an angel! (Rising and rushing forward to Pauline.) Pauline, my Pauline!