. 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 a