Maurice.  Yes, I understand now—­And for that reason I have already written to her and asked her to forgive me—­Do you think she will forgive me?

Adolphe.  I think so, for it’s not like her to hate anybody.

Maurice.  Do you think she will forgive me completely, so that she will come back to me?

Adolphe.  Well, I don’t know about that.  You have shown yourself so poor in keeping faith that it is doubtful whether she will trust her fate to you any longer.

Maurice.  But I can feel that her fondness for me has not ceased, and I know she will come back to me.

Adolphe.  How can you know that?  How can you believe it?  Didn’t you even suspect her and that decent brother of hers of having sent the police after Henriette out of revenge?

Maurice.  But I don’t believe it any longer—­that is to say, I guess that fellow Emile is a pretty slick customer.

Mme. Catherine.  Now look here!  What are you saying of Monsieur Emile?  Of course, he is nothing but a workman, but if everybody kept as straight as he—­There is no flaw in him, but a lot of sense and tact.

Emile. [Enters] Monsieur Gerard?

Maurice.  That’s me.

Emile.  Pardon me, but I have something to say to you in private.

Maurice.  Go right on.  We are all friends here.

(The Abbe enters and sits down.)

Emile. [With a glance at the Abbe] Perhaps after—–­

Maurice.  Never mind.  The Abbe is also a friend, although he and I differ.

Emile.  You know who I am, Monsieur Gerard?  My sister has asked me to give you this package as an answer to your letter.

(Maurice takes the package and opens it.)

Emile.  And now I have only to add, seeing as I am in a way my sister’s guardian, that, on her behalf as well as my own, I acknowledge you free of all obligations, now when the natural tie between you does not exist any longer.

Maurice.  But you must have a grudge against me?

Emile.  Must I?  I can’t see why.  On the other hand, I should like to have a declaration from you, here in the presence of your friends, that you don’t think either me or my sister capable of such a meanness as to send the police after Mademoiselle Henriette.

Maurice.  I wish to take back what I said, and I offer you my apology, if you will accept it.

Emile.  It is accepted.  And I wish all of you a good evening. [Goes out.]

Everybody.  Good evening!