Jeanne.  Enough for us, but not for Justice.

Henriette.  Justice!  If you knew how true your words are!

Abbe. [To Henriette] And if you knew what you were saying just now!

Henriette.  Do you know that better than I?

Abbe.  Yes, I do.

(Henriette looks fixedly at the Abbe.)

Abbe.  Have no fear, for even if I guess your secret, it will not be exposed.  Besides, I have nothing to do with human justice, but a great deal with divine mercy.

Maurice. [Enters hastily, dressed for travelling.  He doesn’t look at the others, who are standing in the background, but goes straight up to the counter, where Mme. Catherine is sitting.] You are not angry at me, Madame Catherine, because I didn’t show up.  I have come now to apologise to you before I start for the South at eight o’clock this evening.

(Mme. Catherine is too startled to say a word.)

Maurice.  Then you are angry at me? [Looks around] What does all this mean?  Is it a dream, or what is it?  Of course, I can see that it is all real, but it looks like a wax cabinet—­There is Jeanne, looking like a statue and dressed in black—­And Henriette looking like a corpse—­What does it mean?

(All remain silent.)

Maurice.  Nobody answers.  It must mean something dreadful. [Silence] But speak, please!  Adolphe, you are my friend, what is it? [Pointing to Emile] And there is a detective!

Adolphe. [Comes forward] You don’t know then?

Maurice.  Nothing at all.  But I must know!

Adolphe.  Well, then—­Marion is dead.

Maurice.  Marion—­dead?

Adolphe.  Yes, she died this morning.

Maurice. [To Jeanne] So that’s why you are in mourning.  Jeanne,
Jeanne, who has done this to us?

Jeanne.  He who holds life and death in his hand.

Maurice.  But I saw her looking well and happy this morning.  How did it happen?  Who did it?  Somebody must have done it? [His eyes seek Henriette.]

Adolphe.  Don’t look for the guilty one here, for there is none to he found.  Unfortunately the police have turned their suspicion in a direction where none ought to exist.

Maurice.  What direction is that?

Adolphe.  Well—­you may as well know that, your reckless talk last night and this morning has placed you in a light that is anything but favourable.

Maurice, So they were listening to us.  Let me see, what were we saying—­I remember!—­Then I am lost!

Adolphe.  But if you explain your thoughtless words we will believe you.

Maurice.  I cannot!  And I will not!  I shall be sent to prison, but it doesn’t matter.  Marion is dead!  Dead!  And I have killed her!