Dupre
I can well believe it, for it was you who led astray and who induced
Pamela to act as she did!

Mme. du Brocard
I feel, sir, that it is always a mistake to associate with people of a
certain class--say, with a Bonapartist--a man who has neither
conscience nor heart.

(De Verby, who has been listening, shrinks back with a gesture of
rage.)

Dupre
You always seemed to have such a high opinion of him!

Mme. du Brocard
His family was highly thought of! And the prospect of this brilliant
marriage! I always dreamt of a distinguished future for my nephew.

Dupre
But you are forgetting the general's affection for you, his
unselfishness.

Mme. du Brocard
His affection! His unselfishness! The general does not possess a sou,
and I had promised him a hundred thousand francs, when once the
marriage contract was signed.

Dupre (coughs loudly, as he turns in the direction of De Verby)
Oh! indeed!

Mme. du Brocard
I am come to you secretly, and in confidence, in spite of all that has
been said by this M. de Verby, who avers that you are a half-rate
lawyer! He has said the most frightful things about you, and I come
now to beg that you will extricate me from this difficulty. I will
give you whatever money you demand.

Dupre
What I wish above all is that you promise to let your nephew marry
whom he chooses, and give him the fortune you had designed for him, in
case he married Mlle. de Verby.

Mme. du Brocard
One moment; you said, whom he pleased?

Dupre
Give me your answer!

Mme. du Brocard
But I ought to know.

Dupre
Very well then, you must extricate yourself without my assistance.

Mme. du Brocard
You are taking advantage of my situation! Ah! some one is coming.

Dupre (looking towards the newcomers)
It is some of your own family!

Mme. du Brocard (peering cautiously)
It is my brother-in-law Rousseau--What is he up to now? He swore to me
that he would keep quiet!

Dupre
You also took an oath. In fact, there has been a great deal of
swearing in your family lately.

Mme. du Brocard
I hope I shall be able to hear what he has to say!

(Rousseau appears with his wife. Mme. du Brocard conceals herself
behind the curtain.)

Dupre (looking at her)
Very good! But if these two want to hide themselves, I don't know
where I shall put them!

SCENE SIXT