The Magistrate
Please to make an analysis of it. (He sees Marguerite picking up a
small piece of paper from the ground.) What paper is that?

Marguerite
Oh, it is nothing.

Ramel In such cases as these, nothing is insignificant in the eyes of magistrates!  Yes, gentlemen, we shall have to examine this paper later.  What can have delayed M. de Grandchamp?

Vernon
He is at the priest’s house, but he will not stay there long.

The Magistrate (to the doctor)
Have you made your examination yet, sir?

(The two physicians converse together at the head of the bed.)

Ramel (to the magistrate)
If the General returns, we must deal with him according to the
circumstances.

(Marguerite is weeping, kneeling at the foot of the bed; the two physicians, the judge and Ramel are grouped in the front of the stage.)

Ramel (to the doctor)
It is therefore of your opinion, sir, that the illness of Mlle. de
Grandchamp, whom we saw two days ago full of health, and even of
happiness, is the result of a crime?

The Doctor
The symptoms of poisoning are undeniable.

Ramel And are the remains of the poison contained in this cup so discernible, and present in such a quantity, as to furnish legal proof?

The Doctor
Yes, sir.

The Magistrate (to Vernon) This woman alleges, sir, that yesterday, at four o’clock, you prescribed for Mlle. de Grandchamp an infusion of orange leaves, as a soothing draught for the nervous excitement which followed upon an interview between the stepmother and her stepdaughter; she says, moreover, that Madame de Grandchamp, who had despatched you on an empty errand to a place four leagues away, had insisted upon preparing and giving everything to her daughter herself; is this true?

Vernon
Yes, sir.

Marguerite
When I persisted in my purpose of attending myself upon my young
mistress, my poor master was incensed to the point of reproaching me.

Ramel (to Vernon)
Where did Madame de Grandchamp send you?

Vernon Everything is ominous in this mysterious affair.  Madame de Grandchamp was so anxious to get me out of the way that she sent me three leagues to visit a sick man, who, I found when I reached his home, was drinking in the inn.  I blamed Champagne for deceiving Madame de Grandchamp, and Champagne positively told me that the workman had not appeared at the factory, but that he himself knows nothing about his alleged sickness.

Felix
Gentlemen, the clergy are here.

Ramel
We can continue our proceedings in the drawing-room.

Vernon
This way, gentlemen, this way.

(Scene curtain.)

Scene sixth

(The drawing-room.)

Ramel, the Magistrate, the Sheriff’s Officer and Vernon.