best consideration to the matter.

Dupre
Don't consider for a moment that you can escape me.

De Verby
A general who fears no danger can have no fear of a lawyer--

Dupre
As you will!

(Exit De Verby, who jostles against Joseph.)

SCENE SEVENTH

Dupre and Joseph Binet.

Joseph
I heard only yesterday, monsieur, that you were engaged for the
defence of M. Jules Rousseau; I have been to your place, and have
waited for you until I could wait no later. This morning I found that
you had left your home, and as I am working for this house, a happy
inspiration sent me here. I thought you would be coming here, and I
waited for you--

Dupre
What do you want with me?

Joseph
I am Joseph Binet.

Dupre
Well, proceed.

Joseph
Let me say without offence, sir, that I have fourteen hundred francs
of my own--quite my own!--earned sou by sou. I am a journeyman
upholsterer, and my uncle, Du Mouchel, a retired wine merchant, has
plenty of the metal.

Dupre
Speak out openly! What is the meaning of this mysterious preamble?

Joseph
Fourteen hundred francs is of course a mere trifle, and they say that
lawyers have to be well paid, and that it is because they are well
paid that there are so many of them. I should have done better if I
had been a lawyer--then she would have married me!

Dupre
Are you crazy?

Joseph
Not at all. I have here my fourteen hundred francs; take them, sir--no
humbug! They are yours.

Dupre
And on what condition?

Joseph
You must save M. Jules--I mean, of course, from death--and you must
have him transported. I don't want him to be put to death; but he must
go abroad. He is rich, and he will enjoy himself. But save his life.
Procure a sentence of simple transportation, say for fifteen years,
and my fourteen hundred francs are yours. I will give them to you
gladly, and I will moreover make you an office chair below the market
price. There now!

Dupre
What is your object in speaking to me in this way?

Joseph
My object? I want to marry Pamela. I want to have my little Pamela.

Dupre
Pamela?

Joseph
Pamela Giraud.

Dupre
What connection has Pamela Giraud with Jules Rousseau?

Joseph
Well I never! Why! I thought that advocates were paid for learning and
knowing everything. But you don't seem to know anything, sir. I am not