r Mouzon. Frigid salutations._

MADAME BUNERAT [_after a pause_] Is it true, Monsieur Mouzon--

MADAME VAGRET. That the Attorney-General--

BUNERAT. Has arrived?

MOUZON [_haughtily_] Quite true.

BUNERAT. They say he brings a councillor's appointment.

MOUZON. They say so.

MADAME BUNERAT. And you don't know?

MADAME VAGRET. You don't know?

MOUZON. Nothing at all.

BUNERAT. Does nothing lead you to suppose--

MOUZON. Nothing.

RECORDER [_entering_] Here is his Honor the Attorney-General.

MADAME BUNERAT. Oh, Lord!

_She arranges her hair. Enter the Attorney-General, a man
with handsome, grave, austere features._

ALL [_bowing and cringing, in a murmur_] His Honor the
Attorney-General--

ATTORNEY-GENERAL. I think you can resume the hearing, gentlemen--I am
only passing through Mauleon. I hope to return before long and make your
better acquaintance.

ALL. Your honor--[_They make ready to leave_]

ATTORNEY-GENERAL. Monsieur Mouzon, will you remain?

_Mouzon bows._

MADAME VAGRET [_as she goes out_] My respects--the honor--Monsieur--

ATTORNEY-GENERAL [_bowing_] Mr. President--Madame--Madame--

BUNERAT [_to his wife_] You see, that's it!

_They go out._

MOUZON [_to the recorder, who is about to leave_] Well, my dear fellow,
I believe my appointment is settled.

RECORDER. I am delighted, Monsieur the Councillor! [_Exit_]

SCENE V:--_Mouzon, Attorney-General. Mouzon rubs his hands together,
bubbling with joy._

MOUZON [_obsequiously_] Your honor--

ATTORNEY-GENERAL. Sit down. [_Mouzon does so_] A report has come to my
office from Bordeaux--which concerns you, Monsieur! [_Feeling in his
portfolio_] Here it is. [_Reading_] Mouzon and the woman Pecquet. You
know what it is?

MOUZON [_not taking the matter seriously, forces a smile. After a long
silence_] Yes, your honor--

ATTORNEY-GENERAL. I am waiting for your explanation.

MOUZON [_as before_] You have been young, your honor--

ATTORNEY-GENERAL. Not to that extent, Monsieur!

MOUZON. I admit I overstepped the mark a trifle.

ATTORNEY-GENERAL [_reading_] "Being in a state of intoxication, together
with the woman Pecquet and two other women of bad character who
accompanied him, the aforesaid Mouzon used insulting and outrageous
language to the police, whom he threatened with dismissal." Is that what
you call overstepping the mark a trifle?

MOUZON. Perhaps the expression is a little weak.

ATTORNEY-GENERA