The General
Francis?  Oh!  Vernon, you had better go and see him—­

Vernon
Doesn’t he live at Pre-l’Eveque? (Aside) More than three leagues away.

The General
Are you alarmed about Pauline?

Vernon
It is simply an attack of nerves.

Gertrude
I can take your place here, doctor, if that is so, can’t I?

Vernon Yes. (To the General) I’ll undertake to say that Francis is about as sick as I am!  The fact of it is, I see rather too much and my presence is not desired—­

The General (in a rage)
What are you talking about?  To whom do you refer?

Vernon
Are you going to fly into a passion again?  Do calm yourself, my old
friend, or you will cause yourself eternal remorse.

The General
Remorse?

Vernon
Just keep these people talking, till I return.

The General
But—­

Gertrude (to Pauline)
Tell me, how do you feel now, my sweet angel?

The General
Just look at them.

Vernon
Ah!  Well, women stab each other with a smile and a kiss.

Scenefifteenth

The same persons (except Vernon) and Marguerite.

Gertrude (to the General, who seems as if he were bewildered by the last words of Vernon) What is the matter with you?

The General (passing before Gertrude to the side of Pauline)
Nothing, nothing!  Tell me, my little Pauline, is your engagement with
Godard to be quite voluntary?

Pauline
Quite voluntary.

Gertrude (aside)
Ah!

The General
He will be here soon.

Pauline
I am expecting him.

The General (aside)
There is a tremendous amount of bitterness in her tone.

(Marguerite appears with a tea-cup.)

Gertrude
It is too soon, Marguerite, the infusion can’t yet be strong enough! 
(She tastes it.) I must go and prepare it myself.

Marguerite
I have always been in the habit of waiting upon Mlle. Pauline.

Gertrude
What do you mean by speaking to me in this tone?

Marguerite
But—­madame—­

The General
Marguerite, if you say another word, we shall fall out.

Pauline
Marguerite, you may just as well let Madame de Grandchamp have her
way.

(Gertrude goes out with Marguerite.)

The General And so my little girl has not much confidence in the father who loves her so?  Come now!  Tell me why you so distinctly refused Godard yesterday, and yet, accept him to-day?

Pauline
I suppose it is a young girl’s whim.

The General
Are you in love with anybody else?

Pauline
It is because I am not in love with anybody else that I consent to
marry your friend M. Godard!

(Gertrude comes in with Marguerite.)

The General
Ah!

Gertrude
Take this, my darling, but be careful, for it is a little hot.