. This is
impertinent. She wants to annoy me. There is another staircase for going
down into the other apartment. I will shut up this door.

_Mad._ Do not be offended, sir; as to myself, I assure you--

_Ger._ [_He wants to go into his room, but not to pass_ Madame D., _and
says to_ Piccardo.] Tell me, is Dorval in my room?

_Pic._ Yes, sir.

_Mad._ [_Perceiving the embarrassment of_ Geronte, _steps back._] Pass
on, sir; I will not be in your way.

_Ger._ [_Passing, salutes her._] My lady--I will shut up the door.
[_Goes into his room, and_ Piccardo _follows him._]

_Mad._ What a strange character! but it is not this that disturbs me.
What distresses me is the anxious manner of my husband, and Angelica's
words. I doubt; I fear; I wish to know the truth, and dread to discover
it.

END OF THE FIRST ACT.

ACT II.

SCENE I.--Geronte _and_ Dorval.

_Ger._ Let us go on with our game, and talk no more of it.

_Dor._ But it concerns your nephew.

_Ger._ A blockhead! A helpless creature, who is the slave of his wife,
and the victim of his vanity.

_Dor._ More gentleness, my friend, more gentleness.

_Ger._ And you, with your calmness, you will drive me mad.

_Dor._ What I say is right.

_Ger._ Take a chair. [_Sits down._]

_Dor._ [_In a compassionate tone, while he is going to the chair._] Poor
young man!

_Ger._ Let us see the game of yesterday.

_Dor._ [_In the same tone._] You will lose--

_Ger._ Perhaps not; let us see--

_Dor._ I say you will lose--

_Ger._ No, I am sure not.

_Dor._ Unless you assist him, you will certainly lose him.

_Ger._ Lose whom?

_Dor._ Your nephew.

_Ger._ [_With impatience._] Eh! I was speaking of the game. Sit down.

_Dor._ I will play willingly, but first listen to me--

_Ger._ You are always talking to me of Dalancourt.

_Dor._ Well, if it be so?

_Ger._ I will not listen to you.

_Dor._ Then you hate him--

_Ger._ No, sir, I hate nobody.

_Dor._ But if you do not wish--

_Ger._ No more--play. Let us go on with the game, or I shall go away.

_Dor._ One single word, and I have done.

_Ger._ Very well.

_Dor._ You have some property?

_Ger._ Yes, thank Heaven!

_Dor._ More than you want?

_Ger._ Yes, some over with which I can serve my friends.

_Dor._ And you will give nothing to your nephew?

_Ger._ Not a farthing.

_Dor._ It follows--

_Ger._ It follows?

_Dor._ That you hate him.

_Ger._ It follows that you do not know w