SCENE FIRST
(The stage represents Madame du Brocard's salon, from which can be
seen the Court of Assizes.)
Madame du Brocard, Madame Rousseau, Rousseau, Joseph Binet, Dupre and
Justine.
(Dupre is seated reading his note-book.)
Mme. Rousseau
M. Dupre!
Dupre
Yes, madame, the court adjourned after the speech of the prosecuting
attorney. And I came over to reassure you personally.
Mme. du Brocard
I told you, sister, that some one was sure to come and keep us
informed of things. In my house, here, which is so close to the court
house, we are in a favorable position for learning all that goes on at
the trial. Ah, M. Dupre! How can we thank you enough! You spoke
superbly! (To Justine) Justine, bring in something to drink--Quick!
Rousseau
Sir, your speech-- (To his wife) He was magnificent.
Dupre
Sir,--
Joseph (in tears)
Yes, you were magnificent, magnificent!
Dupre
I am not the person you ought to thank, but that child, that Pamela,
who showed such astonishing courage.
Joseph
And didn't I do well?
Mme. Rousseau
And he (pointing to Binet), did he carry out the threat he made to us?
Dupre
No, he took your side.
Joseph
It was your fault! But for you--Ah!--Well--I reached the court house,
having made up my mind to mix up everything; but when I saw all the
people, the judge, the jury, the crowd, and the terrible silence, I
trembled! Nevertheless I screwed up my courage. When I was questioned,
I was just about to answer, when my glance met the eyes of Mlle.
Pamela, which were filled with tears--I felt as if my tongue was
bound. And on the other side I saw M. Jules--a handsome youth, his
fine face conspicuous among them all. His expression was as tranquil
as if he had been a mere spectator. That knocked me out! "Don't be
afraid," said the judge to me. I was absolutely beside myself! I was
afraid of making some mistake; and then I had sworn to keep to the
truth; and then M. Dupre fixed his eye on me. I can't tell you what
that eye seemed to say to me--My tongue seemed twisted up. I broke out
into a sweat--my heart beat hard--and I began to cry, like a fool. You
were magnificent. And then in a moment it was all over. He made me do
exactly what he wanted. This is the way I lied: I said that on the
evening of the twenty-fourth I unexpectedly came to Pamela's room and
found M. Jules there--Yes, at Pamela's, the girl whom I was going to
marry, whom I still love--and our marriage will be the talk of the
whole neighborhood. Never mind, he's a great lawyer! Never mind! (To
Justine) Give me something to drink, will you?
Rousseau, Mme. Rousseau, Mme. du Brocard (To Joseph)
Dear friend! You showed yourself a fine fellow!
Dupre
The energy shown by Pamela makes me hopeful. I trembled for a moment
while she was giving evidence; the prosecuting attorney pressed her
very hard and seemed to doubt her veracity; she grew pale and I
thought she was going to faint.
Joseph
And what must my feelings have been?
Dupre
Her self-sacrifice was wonderful. You don't realize all that she has
undergone for you; I, myself even, was deceived by her; she was her
own accuser, yet all the time was innocent. Only one moment did she
falter; but darting a rapid glance at Jules, she suddenly rallied, a
blush took the place of pallor on her countenance, and we felt that
she had saved her lover; in spite of the risk she was running, she
repeated once more before all those people the story of her own
disgrace, and then fell weeping into the arms of her mother.
Joseph
Yes, she is a fine girl.
Dupre
But I must leave you; the summing up of the judge will come this
afternoon.
Rousseau
You must be going then.
Dupre
One moment! Do not forget Pamela! That young girl has compromised her
own honor for you and for him.
Joseph
As for me, I don't ask anything, but I have been led to expect--
Mme. du Brocard, Mme. Rousseau
We can never pay our debt of gratitude to you.
Dupre
Very good; come, gentlemen, we must be starting.
(Exeunt Dupre and Rousseau.)
SCENE SECOND
The same persons excepting Dupre and Rousseau.
Mme. du Brocard (stopping Joseph on his way out)
Listen to me!
Joseph
What can I do for you?
Mme. du Brocard
You see in what a state of anxiety we are; don't fail to let us know
the least turn in our favor which the trial makes.
Mme. Rousseau
Yes, keep us well informed on the whole business.
Joseph
You may rest assured of that--But look here, I needn't leave the court
house to do that, I intend to see everything, and to hear everything.
But do you see that window there? My seat is just under it; you watch
that window, and it if he is declared innocent you will see me wave my
handkerchief.
Mme. Rousseau
Do not forget to do so.
Joseph
No danger of that; I am a poor chap, but I know what a mother's heart
is! I am interested in this case, and for you, and for Pamela, I have
said a lot of things! But when you are fond of people you'll do
anything, and then I have been promised something--you may count upon
me. (Exit.)
SCENE THIRD
The same persons excepting Joseph.
Mme. Rousseau
Justine, open this window, and wait for the signal which the young man
has promised to give--Ah! but suppose my boy were condemned!
Mme. du Brocard
M. Dupre has spoken very hopefully about matters.
Mme. Rousseau
But with regard to this good girl, this admirable Pamela--what must we
do for her?
Mme. du Brocard
We ought to do something to make her happy! I acknowledge that this
young person is a succor sent from heaven! Only a noble heart could
make the sacrifice that she has made! She deserves a fortune for it!
Thirty thousand francs! That is what she ought to have. Jules owes his
life to her. (Aside) Poor boy, will his life be saved?
(Mme. du Brocard looks toward the window.)
Mme. Rousseau
Well, Justine, do you see anything?
Justine
Nothing, madame.
Mme. Rousseau
Nothing yet! Yes, you are right, sister, it is only the heart that can
prompt such noble actions. I do not know what you and my husband would
think about it, but if we considered what was right, and had full
regard to the happiness of Jules, apart from the brilliant prospect of
an alliance with the family of De Verby, if my son loved her and she
loved my son--it seems to me reasonable--
Mme. du Brocard and Justine
No! No!
Mme. Rousseau
Oh, sister! Say yes! Has she not well deserved it? But there is some
one coming.
(The two women remain in their seats with clasped hands.)
SCENE FOURTH
The same persons and De Verby.
Justine
M. le General de Verby!
Mme. Rousseau and Mme. du Brocard
Ah!
De Verby
Everything is going on well! My presence was no longer necessary, so I
return to you. There are great hopes of your son's acquittal. The
charge of the presiding judge is decidedly in his favor.
Mme. Rousseau (joyfully)
Thank God!
De Verby
Jules has behaved admirably! My brother the Comte de Verby is very
much interested in his favor. My niece looks upon him as a hero, and I
know courage and honorable conduct when I see them. When once this
affair has been settled, we will hasten the marriage.
Mme. Rousseau
We ought to tell you, sir, that we have made certain promises to this
young girl.
Mme. du Brocard
Never mind that, sister.
De Verby
Doubtless the young girl deserves some recompense, and I suppose you
will give her fifteen or twenty thousand francs,--that is due her.
Mme. du Brocard
You see, sister, that M. de Verby is a noble and generous man, and
since he has fixed upon this sum, I think it will be sufficient.
Justine
M. Rousseau!
Mme. du Brocard
O brother!
Mme. Rousseau
Dear husband!
SCENE FIFTH
The same persons and Rousseau.
De Verby (to Rousseau)
Have you good news?
Mme. Rousseau
Is he acquitted?
Rousseau
No, but it is rumored that he is going to be; the jury are in
consultation; I couldn't stay there any longer; I couldn't stand the
suspense; I told Antoine to hurry here as soon as the verdict is
given.
Mme. Rousseau
We shall learn what the verdict is from this window; we have agreed
upon a signal to be given by that youth, Joseph Binet.
Rousseau
Ah! keep a good look out, Justine.
Mme. Rousseau
And how is Jules? What a trying time it must be for him!
Rousseau
Not at all! The unfortunate boy astonishes me by his coolness. Such
courage as he has is worthy of a better cause than that of conspiracy.
To think of his having put us in such a position! But for this I might
have been appointed President of the Chamber of Commerce.
De Verby
You forget that, after all, his marriage with a member of my family
will make some amends for his trouble.
Rousseau (struck by a sudden thought)
Ah, general! When I left the court room, Jules stood surrounded by his
friends, among whom were M. Dupre and the young girl Pamela. Your
niece and Madame de Verby must have noticed it, and I hope that you
will try to explain matters to them.
(While Rousseau speaks with the general the ladies are watching for
the signal.)
De Verby
Rest assured of that! I will take care that Jules appears as white as
snow! It is of very great importance to explain this affair of the
working-girl, otherwise the Comtesse de Verby might oppose the
marriage. We must explain away this apparent amour, and she must be
made to understand that the girl's evidence was a piece of self-
sacrifice for which she had been paid.
Rousseau
I certainly intend to do my duty towards that young girl. I shall give
her eight or ten thousand francs. It seems to me that that will be
liberal, very liberal!
Mme. Rousseau (while Mme. du Brocard tries to restrain her)
Ah, sir, but what of her honor?
Rousseau
Well, I suppose that some one will marry her.
SCENE SIXTH
The same persons and Joseph.
Joseph (dashing in)
Monsieur! Madame! Give me some cologne or something, I beg you!
All
Whatever can be the matter?
Joseph
M. Antoine, your footman, is bringing Pamela here.
Rousseau
Has anything happened?
Joseph
When she saw the jury come in to give their verdict she was taken ill!
Her father and mother, who were in the crowd at the other end of the
court, couldn't stir. I cried out, and the presiding judge made them
put me out of court!
Mme. Rousseau
But Jules! My son! What did the jury say?
Joseph
I know nothing! I had no eyes except for Pamela. As for your son, I
suppose he is all right, but first with me comes Pamela--
De Verby
But you must have seen how the jury looked!
Joseph
Oh, yes! The foreman of the jury looked so gloomy--so severe--that I
am quite persuaded-- (He shudders.)
Mme. Rousseau
My poor Jules!
Joseph
Here comes Antoine and Mlle. Pamela.
SCENE SEVENTH
The same persons, Antoine and Pamela.
(They lead Pamela to a seat and give her smelling salts.)
Mme. du Brocard
My dear child!
Mme. Rousseau
My daughter!
Rousseau
Mademoiselle!
Pamela
I couldn't stand it any longer, the excitement was too great--and the
suspense was so cruel. I tried to brace up my courage by the calmness
of M. Jules while the jury was deliberating; the smile which he wore
made me share his presentiment of coming release! But I was chilled to
the heart when I looked at the pale, impassive countenance of M.
Dupre!--And then, the sound of the bell that announced the return of
the jury, and the murmur of anxiety that ran through the court--I was
quite overcome!--A cold sweat suffused my cheek and I fainted.
Joseph
As for me, I shouted out, and they threw me into the street.
De Verby (to Rousseau)
If by mischance--
Rousseau
Sir!
De Verby (to Rousseau and the women)
If it should be necessary to appeal the case (pointing to Pamela),
could we count upon her?
Mme. Rousseau
On her? To the end; I am sure of that.
Mme. du Brocard
Pamela!
Rousseau
Tell me, you who have shown yourself so good, so generous,--if we
should still have need of your unselfish aid, would you be ready?
Pamela
Quite ready, sir! I have but one object, one single thought!--and that
is, to save M. Jules!
Joseph (aside)
She loves him, she loves him!
Rousseau
Ah! all that I have is at your disposal.
(A murmur and cries are heard; general alarm.)
All
What a noise they are making! Listen to their shouts!
(Pamela totters to her feet. Joseph runs to the window, where Justine
is watching.)
Joseph
There's a crowd of people rushing down the steps of the court,--they
are coming here!
Justine and Joseph
It is M. Jules!
Rousseau and Mme. Rousseau
My son!
Mme. du Brocard and Pamela
Jules!
(They rush forward to Jules.)
De Verby
He is acquitted!
SCENE EIGHTH
The same persons and Jules (brought in by his mother and his aunt and
followed by his friends).
(Jules flings himself into the arms of his mother; he does not at
first see Pamela, who is seated in a corner near Joseph.)
Jules
O mother! Dear aunt! And my father! Here I am, restored to liberty
again! (To General de Verby and the friends who have come with him)
Let me thank you, general, and you, my friends, for your kind
sympathy.
(After general handshaking the friends depart.)
Mme. Rousseau
And so my son has at last come back to me! It seems too good to be
true.
Joseph (to Pamela)
Well, and what of you? He hasn't said a word to you, and you are the
only one he hasn't seen.
Pamela
Silence, Joseph, silence!
(Pamela retires to the end of the stage.)
De Verby
Not only have you been acquitted, but you have also gained a high
place in the esteem of those who are interested in the affair! You
have exhibited both courage and discretion, such as have gratified us
all.
Rousseau
Everybody has behaved well. Antoine, you have done nobly; you will end
your life in this house.
Mme. Rousseau (to Jules)
Let me express my gratitude to M. Adolph Durand.
(Jules presents his friend.)
Jules
Yes, but my real deliverer, my guardian angel is poor Pamela! How well
she understood my situation and her own also! What self-sacrifice she
showed! Can I ever forget her emotion, her terror!--and then she
fainted! (Mme. Rousseau, who has been thinking of nothing else but her
son, now looks around for Pamela, sees her, and brings her up to
Jules.) Ah, Pamela! Pamela! My gratitude to you shall be eternal!
Pamela
Ah, M. Jules! How happy I feel.
Jules
We will never part again? Will we, mother? She shall be your daughter!
De Verby (to Rousseau with vehemence)
My sister and my niece are expecting an answer; you will have to
exercise your authority, sir. This young man seems to have a lively
and romantic imagination. He is in danger of missing his career
through a too scrupulous sense of honor, and a generosity which is
tinged with folly!
Rousseau (in embarrassment)
The fact is--
De Verby
But I have your word.
Mme. du Brocard
Speak out, brother!
Jules
Mother, do you answer them, and show yourself on my side?
Rousseau (taking Jules by the hand)
Jules! I shall never forget the service which this young girl has done
us. I understand the promptings of your gratitude; but as you are
aware the Comte de Verby has our promise; it is not right that you
should lightly sacrifice your future! You are not wanting in energy,
you have given sufficient proof of that! A young conspirator should be
quite able to extricate himself from such an affair as this.
De Verby (to Jules)
Undoubtedly! And our future diplomat will have a splendid chance.
Rousseau
Moreover my wishes in the matter--
Jules
O father!
Dupre (appearing)
Jules, I still have to take up your defence.
Pamela and Joseph
M. Dupre!
Jules
My friend!
Mme. du Brocard
It is the lawyer.
Dupre
I see! I am no longer "my dear Monsieur Dupre"!
Mme. du Brocard
Oh, you are always that! But before paying our debt of gratitude to
you, we have to think about this young girl.
Dupre (coldly)
I beg your pardon, madame.
De Verby
This man is going to spoil everything.
Dupre (to Rousseau)
I heard all you said. It transcends all I have ever experienced. I
could not have believed that ingratitude could follow so soon on the
acceptance of a benefit. Rich as you are, rich as your son will be,
what fairer task have you to perform than that of satisfying your
conscience? In saving Jules, this girl has brought disgrace upon
herself! Can it be possible that the fortune which you have so
honorably gained should have killed in your heart every generous
sentiment, and that self-interest alone-- (He sees Mme. du Brocard
making signs to her brother.) Ah! that is right, madame! It is you
that give the tone in this household! And I forgot while I was
pleading to this gentleman, that you would be at his elbow when I was
no longer here.
Mme. du Brocard
We have pledged our word to the Count and Countess of Verby! Mlle.
Pamela, whose friend I shall be all my life, did not effect the
deliverance of my nephew on the understanding that she should blight
his prospects.
Rousseau
There ought to be some basis of equality in a union by marriage. My
son will some day have an income of eighty thousand francs.
Joseph (aside)
That suits me to a T. I shall marry her now. But this fellow here, he
talks more like a Jewish money-changer than a father.
De Verby (to Dupre)
I think, sir, that your talent and character are such as to claim our
highest admiration and esteem. The Rousseau family will always
preserve your name in grateful memory; but these private discussions
must be carried on without witnesses from outside. M. Rousseau has
given me his word and I keep him to his promise! (To Jules) Come, my
young friend, come to my brother's house; my niece is expecting you.
To-morrow we will sign the marriage contract.
(Pamela falls senseless on her chair.)
Joseph
Ah, what have you done! Mlle. Pamela!
Dupre and Jules (darting towards her)
Good heavens!
De Verby (taking Jules by the hand)
Come--come--
Dupre
Stop a moment! I should have been glad to think that I was not the
only protector that was left her! But listen, the matter is not yet
ended! Pamela will certainly be arrested as a false witness! (Seizes
the hand of De Verby.) And you will all be ruined.
(Dupre leads off Pamela.)
Joseph (hiding behind a sofa)
Don't tell anybody that I am here!
Curtain to the Fourth Act.