Vernon
Let me assist you to carry her to her room.

Gertrude
It is not necessary.  Marguerite, help me put this poor child to bed. 
She will be more comfortable there.

(Marguerite comes forward and assists Gertrude to carry Pauline away.)

Scenetwelfth

Vernon, Felix (who enters at this juncture) and Marguerite later.

Vernon
Felix!

Felix
Is there anything I can do for you, sir?

Vernon
Is there a closet anywhere here in which I can lock up something?

Felix (pointing to the closet)
Here is a place, sir.

Vernon
Good!  Felix, don’t say a word of this to a single soul. (Aside) He
will be sure to remember it. (Aloud) I am playing a trick on the
General, and the trick will fail if you say anything.

Felix
I will be as dumb as a fish.

(The doctor takes from him the key of the closet.)

Vernon
And now leave me alone with your mistress, who is coming back here,
and be on the watch that no one interrupts us for a moment.

Felix (going out)
Marguerite was right; there is something in the wind, that’s certain.

Marguerite (returning)
There is nothing the matter.  Mademoiselle is sleeping quietly.

(Exit Marguerite.)

Scenethirteenth

Vernon (alone) What can have set by the ears two women who have hitherto lived in peace?  All doctors, little though they be philosophers, can tell.  The poor General, who all his life has had no other idea excepting that of escaping the common lot!  Yet I see no one here likely to cause him jealousy, but myself and Ferdinand.  It is not probable that I am the man; but Ferdinand—­Yet I have so far noticed nothing—­I hear her coming!  Now for the tug-of-war!

SceneFourteenth

Vernon and Gertrude.

Gertrude (aside)
I have them!—­I am going to burn them in my chamber. (She meets
Vernon.) Ah!

Vernon
Madame, I have sent everybody away.

Gertrude
May I ask you why?

Vernon
In order that we may have our explanation without witnesses.

Gertrude
Explanation!  By what right do you—­you, the parasite of the house,
pretend to have an explanation with the Comtesse de Grandchamp?

Vernon I, a parasite?  Madame!  I have an income of ten thousand francs, besides my pension; I have the rank of general, and my fortune will be bequeathed to the children of my old friend!  A parasite indeed!  You forget that I am not only here as a friend but as a doctor, and—­you poured certain drops of laudanum into Pauline’s tea.

Gertrude
I?

Vernon
I saw you do it, and I have the cup.

Gertrude
You have the cup?  Why, I washed it myself!

Vernon
Yes, you washed mine, which I gave you in exchange for that of
Pauline!  I was not reading the newspaper, I was watching you.