(Exit Gertrude.)

Sceneninth

Pauline (alone) Ferdinand is utterly lost to me now—­I have always expected it; the world is either a paradise or a prison cell; and I, a young girl, have dreamed only of the paradise.  But anyway I have the key of the desk, and I can return it after having taken out something which may serve to put an end to this terrible situation.  Yes, that is what I will do!

Scenetenth

Pauline and Marguerite.

Marguerite
Mademoiselle, my trunks are all packed.  I am now going to begin
packing here.

Pauline
Yes. (Aside) It is best to let her do so. (Aloud) Come here,
Marguerite, take this gold and conceal it among your things.

Marguerite
You are sure that your reasons for starting away are very urgent?

Pauline
My poor Marguerite, who knows whether I shall be able to get away!  But
come, go on with your work.

(Exit Pauline.)

Sceneeleventh

Marguerite (alone) And to think that I believed this fury was unwilling that mademoiselle should marry!  Is it possible that mademoiselle should have concealed from me that her real love was being opposed?  Yet her father is so good to her!  He leaves her free to choose—­Suppose I were to speak to the General—­Oh! no, I would not run the risk of injuring my child.

Scenetwelfth

Marguerite and Pauline.

Pauline No one has seen me.  Listen, Marguerite, first of all, take away the money that I gave you, and then let me think about the resolution which I have taken.

Marguerite
If I were in your place, mademoiselle, I would tell everything to the
General.

Pauline
To my father?  Unhappy woman, do not betray me!  And let both of us
respect the illusions, in the midst of which he lives.

Marguerite
Ah!  Illusions!  That is the very word.

Pauline
You may leave me now.

(Exit Marguerite.)

Scenethirteenth

Pauline, then Vernon.

Pauline (holding in her hand the parcel of poison, which was shown in the first act) Here stands death before me!  The doctor told us yesterday, in reference to Champagne’s wife, that this terrible substance required some hours, almost a whole night, to produce its deadly effects, and that it was possible, during the first hours, to nullify these effects; if the doctor remains at the house, he will provide this antidote.

(Some one knocks.)

Vernon (from without)
It is I.

Pauline
Come in, doctor! (Aside) Curiosity brings him to see me, curiosity
will take him away.

Vernon
I see, my child, that between you and your stepmother, there are
secrets of life and death?

Pauline
Yes, and, above all, death.

Vernon
I was afraid so!  And that, of course, I must attend to.  But tell
me—­You must have had some terrible quarrel with your stepmother.