rial for
perjury! Then you rush to me, trembling with the fear of being
unmasked, of losing the promotion which has caused you so many efforts
to attain! You come to me with an air of obsequiousness, and with the
words of flattery, expecting to make me your dupe, and thus to show
your sincerity! Well, you have sufficient reason for alarm--Pamela is
in the hands of justice, and she has told all.

De Verby
What then is to be done?

Dupre
I have one suggestion to make: Write to Jules that you release him
from his engagement, and the Mlle. de Verby withdraws her promise to
be his wife.

De Verby
Is that your advice?

Dupre
You find that the Rousseau family have behaved abominably, and you
ought to despise them!

De Verby
But you know--engagements of this sort--

Dupre
I'll tell you what I know; I know that your private fortune is not
equal to the position which you aspire to. Mme. du Brocard, whose
wealth is equal to her pride, ought to come to your assistance, if
this alliance--

De Verby
Sir! How dare you to affront my dignity in this way?

Dupre
Whether what I say be true or false, do what I tell you! If you agree,
I will endeavor to save you from being compromised. But write--or get
out of the difficulty the best way you can. But stay, I hear some
clients coming.

De Verby
I don't want to see anybody! Everybody, even the Rousseau family,
believes that I have left the city.

A servant (announcing a visitor)
Madame du Brocard!

De Verby
Oh, heavens!

(De Verby rushes into an office on the right.)

SCENE FIFTH

Dupre and Madame du Brocard.

(Madame du Brocard enters, her face hidden by a heavy black veil which
she cautiously raises.)

Mme. du Brocard
I have been here several times without being lucky enough to find you
in. We are quite alone here?

Dupre (smiling)
Quite alone!

Mme. du Brocard
And so this harrowing affair has broken out afresh?

Dupre
It has, unhappily!

Mme. du Brocard
That wretched young man! If I had not superintended his education, I
would disinherit him! My life at present is not worth living. Is it
possible that I, whose conduct and principles have won the esteem of
all, should be involved in all this trouble? And yet on this occasion
the only thing that gives me any anxiety is my conduct towards the
Girauds!