(Martinel _and_ Léon.)
MARTINEL [_goes quickly up to_ Léon]
I must have five minutes with you. Something terrible has happened.
Never in the course of my life have I been placed in so awkward and so
embarrassing a situation.
LÉON
Quick! What is it?
MARTINEL
I had just finished my game at billiards when a servant brought me a
letter addressed to M. Martinel, without any Christian name by which to
identify it, but with these words on the letter “Exceedingly urgent.” I
thought it was addressed to me, so I tore open the envelope, and I read
words intended for Jean--words which have well-nigh taken away my
reason. I came to find you in order to ask advice, for this is a thing
which must be decided upon the moment.
LÉON
Tell me, what is it?
MARTINEL
I am responsible for my own actions, M. Léon, and I would ask advice of
no one if the matter concerned myself only, but unfortunately it
concerns Jean; therefore, I hesitate--the matter is so grave, and then
the secret is not mine--I came upon it accidentally.
LÉON
Tell me quickly, and do not doubt my faith.
MARTINEL
I do not doubt your faith. Here is the letter. It is from Dr. Pellerin,
who is Jean's physician, who is his friend, our friend, a good fellow, a
free liver, and a physician to many women of the world, and one who
would not write such things unless necessity compelled him. [_Hands the
letter to_ Léon, _who holds it close to his eyes._]
LÉON [_reads_]
“MY DEAR FRIEND:
“I am more than annoyed at having to communicate with you upon this
evening, above every other evening, upon such a subject as this. But I
am sure that if I did otherwise you would never forgive me. Your former
mistress, Henriette Lévêque, is dying and would bid you farewell.
[_Throws a glance at_ Martinel _who signs to him to continue._] She will
not live through the night. She dies after bringing into the world, some
fifteen days ago, a child who on her deathbed she swears is yours. So
long as she was in no danger, she determined to leave you in ignorance
of this child's existence. But, to-day, doomed to death, she calls to
you. I know how you have loved her in the past. But you must do as you
think fit. She lives in the Rue Chaptal at Number 31. Let me know how I
can serve you, my dear fellow, and believe me,
“Always yours,
“PELLERIN.”
MARTINEL
There you are. That letter came this evening. That is to say, at the one
moment above all others when such a misfortune could threaten the whole
future--the whole life of your sister and of Jean. What would you do if
you were I? Would you keep this confounded letter, or would you give it
to him? If I keep it, we may save appearances, but such an act would be
unworthy of me.
LÉON [_energetically_]
I should say so. You must give the letter to Jean.
MARTINEL
Well, what will he do?
LÉON
He alone is the judge of his own actions. We have no right to hide
anything from him.
MARTINEL
Supposing he consults me?
LÉON
He will not do it. In such situations a man consults only his
conscience.
MARTINEL
But he treats me like a father. If he hesitates a moment between his
attention to his wife and the effacement of his happiness, what shall I
tell him to do?
LÉON
Just what you would do yourself in like case.
MARTINEL
My impulse would be to go to the woman. What would be yours?
LÉON [_resolutely_]
I should go.
MARTINEL
But how about your sister?
LÉON [_sadly, seating himself by the table_]
Yes, my poor little sister! What an awakening for her!
MARTINEL [_after a few seconds' hesitation, crosses abruptly from_ L.
_to_ R.]
No; it is too hard a thing to do. I shall not give him this letter. I
shall be blamed perhaps, but so much the worse. In any case, I save him.
LÉON
You cannot do such a thing, sir. We both know my sister, poor little
girl, and I am sure that if this marriage is annulled, she will die.
[_Rises_.] When a man has for three years enjoyed the love of such a
woman as the one who sends for him, he cannot refuse to see her on her
deathbed whatever may happen.
MARTINEL
What will Gilberte do?
LÉON
She worships Jean--but you know how proud she is.
MARTINEL
Will she accept the situation? Will she forgive it?
LÉON
Of that I am very doubtful, especially after all that has been said
about this poor girl in the family circle. But what does that matter?
Jean must be warned at once. I am going to find him and bring him to
you. [_Rises as if to go out_ C.]
MARTINEL
Well, how would you like me to tell him?
LÉON Simply give him the letter. [_Exit_ Léon C.]