Ramel (to Gertrude in the front of the stage) Take care!  God never protects undertakings so rash as yours.  I have discovered all.  Give up Ferdinand, leave his life free, and be satisfied with the happiness of a wife.  The path which you are following leads to crime.

Gertrude
I’ll die before I give him up!

Ramel (aside)
I must get Ferdinand away from this place.

(Ramel beckons to Ferdinand, takes his arm, and goes out with him after exchange of formal bows.)

The General
At last we are rid of them! (To Gertrude) Let the coffee be handed
round.

Gertrude
Pauline, kindly ring for the coffee.

(Pauline rings.)

Scenefourth

The same persons, excepting Ferdinand, Ramel, the Magistrate and
Baudrillon.

Godard (aside) I shall find out presently whether Pauline loves Ferdinand.  This urchin, who wants to know about justice, seems to me pretty cute; I’ll make use of him.

(Felix appears.)

Gertrude
The coffee.

(Felix brings in the tray.)

Godard (who has taken Napoleon aside)
Would you like to play a nice trick on somebody?

Napoleon
That I would.  Do you know one?

Godard
Come with me, and I’ll tell you how you must do it.

(Godard goes on the veranda with Napoleon.)

The General
Pauline, my coffee. (Pauline brings it to him.) It isn’t sweet enough. 
(Pauline gives him some sugar.) Thank you, dear.

Gertrude
M. de Rimonville?

The General
Godard?

Gertrude
M. de Rimonville?

The General
Godard, my wife wants to know if you would like some coffee?

Godard
Yes, thank you.

(Godard places himself in such a way as to watch Pauline.)

The General
It is pleasant to sit down and take a little coffee in quiet.

Napoleon (running in)
Mamma, mamma!  My good friend Ferdinand has just fallen down; he has
broken his leg and they are carrying him into the house.

Vernon
That’s dreadful!

The General
How very unfortunate!

Pauline
Oh!

(Pauline falls back on her chair.)

Gertrude
What is that you said?

Napoleon
It is all a joke!  I only wished to see if you all loved my good
friend.

Gertrude
It is very naughty of you to act in that way; how did you come to
think of such a trick?

Napoleon (whispering)
It was Godard.

Godard (aside)
She loves him!  She was nicely caught by my trap, which I have never
known to fail.

Gertrude (to Godard, as she offers him some coffee)
Are you aware, sir, that you would make a very indifferent preceptor? 
It is very bad of you to teach a child such mischievous tricks.

Godard You will come to the conclusion that I did pretty well, when you learn that I have been enabled by this little stratagem to discover my rival.