Ferdinand
Godard would make an excellent match for any one.

The General
I can’t stay here any longer!  My daughter plays vilely, and you,
Vernon, have trumped my king!

Vernon
My dear General, it was a finesse.

The General You stupid!  Come, it is ten o’clock, and time to go to sleep instead of playing cards.  Ferdinand, be good enough to take Godard to his room.  As for you, Vernon, you deserve to sleep on the floor as a punishment, for trumping my king.

Godard
It is, after all, merely a matter of five francs, General.

The General
It is also a matter of honor. (To Vernon) Come, now, although you have
played so badly, let me hand you your hat and cane.

(Pauline takes a flower from the vase and plays with it.)

Gertrude (aside)
A signal!  I will watch her this night, even though my husband should
afterwards kill me for it!

Ferdinand (taking a candlestick from Felix)
M. de Rimonville, I am at your service.

Godard
I wish you good-night, madame.  My respects to you, mademoiselle. 
General, good-night.

The General
Good-night, Godard.

Godard
De Rimonville—­Doctor, I—­

Vernon (looking at him and blowing his nose)
Good-bye, my friend.

The General (attending the doctor on his way out)
Good-bye till to-morrow, Vernon, but come early.

Scenesixth

Gertrude, Pauline and the General.

Gertrude
My dear, Pauline refuses Godard.

The General
And what are your reasons, my daughter?

Pauline
I do not like him sufficiently to take him for a husband.

The General Well, never mind!  We will look out some one else for you; but it is time for this to end, for you are now twenty-two, and people will begin to talk about you, my wife and me unless you make an early choice.

Pauline
May I not be permitted, if I choose, to remain single?

Gertrude
She has made her choice, but probably wishes to tell you by yourself. 
I will leave you, and she will confess it. (To Pauline) Good-night, my
child; talk freely with your father. (Aside) I will listen.

(Gertrude enters her chamber and proceeds to close the door.)

Sceneseventh

The General and Pauline.

The General (aside) Act as my daughter’s confessor!  I am utterly unfitted for such a task!  She might rather act as confessor to me. (Aloud) Pauline, come here.  (He takes her on his knee) Now, do you really think, my pet, that an old trooper like me doesn’t understand your resolution to remain single?  Why, of course, that means, in every language in which it has ever been uttered, that a young person is in a special hurry to be married—­to some one that she is in love with.

Pauline
Papa, I would like to tell you something, but I cannot have confidence
in you.