Marguerite
But why is this?

Pauline
You ask me why?  Do you not know that Madame de Grandchamp put me to
sleep with opium?

Marguerite I know it, mademoiselle, and Doctor Vernon knows it also, for Felix told me that he put under lock and key your teacup.—­But why did she do it?

Pauline Say not a word about it, if you love me!  And if you are as devoted to me as you profess to be, go to your room and gather together all that you possess, so quietly that none shall suspect that you are preparing for a journey.  We will start after midnight.  You must now take from me here, and carry to your room, my jewels and all that I shall need for a long journey.  Use the utmost caution; for if my stepmother had the least idea of what we are doing, I should be ruined.

Marguerite
Ruined!—­But, mademoiselle, what is come over you?  Think seriously
before you leave your home.

Pauline
Do you wish to see me die?

Marguerite
Die!—­Oh, mademoiselle, I will at once obey your wishes.

Pauline
Marguerite, tell M. Ferdinand to bring me my year’s allowance; bid him
come this moment.

Marguerite
He was under your windows when I came in.

Pauline (aside)
Under my windows!—­doubtless he thought that he would never see me
again.—­Poor Ferdinand!

(Exit Marguerite.)

Scenefifth

Pauline (alone) When I think of leaving my father’s house, it at once comes home to me that my father will seek me many a day, far and wide.  With what treasures love ought to repay me, for such sacrifices, for I abandon to follow Ferdinand my country, my father, and my home!  But at any rate, this shameless woman will lose him without hope of restoration!  Moreover, I shall return!  The doctor and M. Ramel will win for me forgiveness from my father.  I think I hear the step of Ferdinand!  —­Yes, it is actually he!

Scenesixth

Pauline and Ferdinand.

Pauline
Oh, my love, my Ferdinand!

Ferdinand
And I thought that I should never see you again!  Marguerite, I see,
knows all.

Pauline
She knows nothing yet; but this night she shall learn of our flight,
for we shall be free; and you shall take your wife with you.

Ferdinand
Oh, Pauline, do not deceive me!

Pauline I was making arrangements to rejoin you in your place of exile; but this odious woman has hurried on my resolution.  There is no merit in what I am doing, it is a question of life and death to me.

Ferdinand
Of life and death!  Tell me what has she been doing?

Pauline She almost poisoned me; she drugged me, in order to take the letters I carried about me!  By what she has dared to do, in order to keep you for herself, I judge what she yet may do.  If therefore we wish to be united, our only hope lies in flight.  Therefore let us not say farewell!  This night we must find some refuge or other—­But where?  That lies with you.