The General (aside)
It is as well that he should leave, for he will be sure to return. (To
Ferdinand) May I tell this to my daughter?

Ferdinand
Yes, but to no one else.

The General (aside to Pauline) Pauline!  My daughter, you have so cruelly humiliated this poor youth, that the factory is on the point of losing its manager; Ferdinand is to leave this evening for America.

Pauline (to the General)
He is right, father.  He is doing of his own accord, what you doubtless
would have advised him to do.

Gertrude (to Ferdinand)
She shall marry Godard.

Ferdinand (to Gertrude)
If I do not punish you for your atrocious conduct, God Himself will!

The General (to Pauline)
America is a long way off and the climate is deadly.

Pauline (to the General)
Many a fortune is made there.

The General (aside) She does not love him. (To Ferdinand) Ferdinand, you must not leave before I have put in your hands sufficient to start you on the road to fortune.

Ferdinand I thank you, General; but what is due me will be sufficient.  Moreover, I shall not be missed in your factory, for I have trained Champagne so thoroughly as a foreman, that he is skillful enough to become my successor; and if you will go with me to the factory, you will see—­

The General I will gladly accompany you. (Aside) Everything is in such a muddle here, that I must go and look for Vernon.  The advice and clear-sightedness of my old friend, the doctor, will be of service in ferreting out what it is that disturbs this household, for there is something or other.  Ferdinand, I will follow you.  Ladies, we will be soon be back again. (Aside) There is something or other!

(The General follows Ferdinand out.)

Sceneseventh

Gertrude and Pauline.

Pauline (locking the door) Madame, do you consider that a pure love, a love which comprises and enhances all human happiness, which makes us understand that happiness which is divine,—­do you consider such a love to be dearer and more precious to us than life?

Gertrude You have been reading the Nouvelle Heloise, my dear.  What you say is rather stilted in diction, but it is nevertheless true.

Pauline
Well, madame, you have just caused me to commit suicide.

Gertrude The very act you would have been happy to see me commit; and if you had succeeded in forcing me to it, you would have felt in your heart the joy which fills mine at present.

Pauline According to my father, war between civilized nations has its laws; but the war which you wage against me, madame, is that of savages.

Gertrude You may do as I do, if you can—­but you can do nothing!  You shall marry Godard.  He is a very good match for you; you will be very happy, I assure you, for he has fine qualities.

Pauline
And you think that I will quietly let you marry Ferdinand?