Ferdinand
Ah!  These words,—­how wild with joy they make me!

Pauline Ferdinand!  Take every precaution; hurry to Louviers, go to the house of your friend, the prosecuting attorney; secure our passports, and a carriage with fast horses.  I fear that my father, urged on by this stepmother, may try to overtake us!  May he fail to do so; he would kill us, for I am telling him in this letter the fatal secret of your birth which compels me thus to leave him.

Ferdinand Dismiss your fears.  Eugene completed his preparations for my departure yesterday.  Here is the sum of money which your father owed me. (He shows her a pocket-book.) Give me your receipt. (He puts down some money on the table.) I have only to give in my balance sheet in order to be free.  We shall reach Rouen in three hours, and at Havre we shall take an American ship.  Eugene has sent a trusty man to secure me a passage on board.  The officers of the vessel will think it only natural that a man should take his wife abroad with him, so we shall meet with no obstacle—­

Sceneseventh

The same persons and Gertrude.

Gertrude
Excepting me.

Pauline
We are lost!

Gertrude
So you are going to start without telling me, Ferdinand?  Oh, indeed! 
But I have heard it all.

Ferdinand (to Pauline) Mademoiselle, have the goodness to give me your receipt, it is indispensable in completing the account which I must give to your father before leaving. (To Gertrude) Madame, you may be able, perhaps, to prevent mademoiselle from going away; but I can no longer remain here, and I must absolutely start to-night.

Gertrude
You must stay here, and you shall stay here, sir!

Ferdinand
Against my will?

Gertrude What mademoiselle wishes to do, I myself will do, and without fear.  I will make M. de Grandchamp come into this very room, and you will at once see that he will compel you to leave, but—­with me and my child.  (Felix appears.) Beg M. de Grandchamp to come here.

Ferdinand (to Pauline) I see her object.  Detain her here, while I overtake Felix, and prevent him from speaking to the General!  Eugene will tell you how you must act after my departure.  When once we have left this place, Gertrude will be powerless to oppose us. (To Gertrude) Farewell, madame.  You lately made an attack on Pauline’s life, and by this act have broken the last ties that bound me to your friendship.

Gertrude
You have nothing but accusations for me!  But you do not know what
mademoiselle intended telling her father concerning you and me.

Ferdinand I love her, and will love her all my life; I shall be able to defend her against you, and I prize her high enough to suffer banishment in order to obtain her.  Farewell.

Pauline
Dear, dear Ferdinand!

Sceneeighth

Gertrude and Pauline.