his letter directly to Dorval. [_Turning
towards the door of his apartment._] He is not well, he walks lame, and
yet he would take it. [_To_ Martuccia.] Go.

_Mar._ But, sir--

_Ger._ Well, let us hear.

_Mar._ But Dorval--

_Ger._ [_Impatiently._] Yes, to Dorval's house.

_Mar._ He is here.

_Ger._ Who?

_Mar._ Dorval.

_Ger._ Where?

_Mar._ Here.

_Ger._ Dorval here?

_Mar._ Yes, sir.

_Ger._ Where is he?

_Mar._ In Signor Dalancourt's room.

_Ger._ [_Angrily._] In Dalancourt's room! Dorval in Dalancourt's room!
Now I see how it is, I understand it all. Go and tell Dorval from
me--but no--I do not want you to go into that cursed room; if you set
your foot in it, I will discharge you. Call one of the servants of that
fellow--no, I don't want any of them--go yourself--yes, yes, tell him to
come directly--do you hear?

_Mar._ Shall I go, or not go?

_Ger._ Go! don't make me more impatient. [Martuccia _goes into_
Dalancourt's _room._]

Geronte, _alone_.

_Ger._ Yes, it must be so; Dorval has discovered into what a terrible
abyss this wretched man has fallen; yes, he knew it before I did, and if
Piccardo had not told me, I should be still in the dark. It is exactly
so. Dorval fears a connection with a ruined man; that is it. But I must
look further into it to be more certain. Yet why not tell me? I would
have persuaded him--I would have convinced him.--But why did he not tell
me? He will say, perhaps, that my violence did not give him an
opportunity. This is no excuse: he should have waited, he should not
have gone away; my resentment would have been over, and he might have
spoken to me. Unworthy, treacherous, perfidious nephew! you have
sacrificed your happiness and your honour. I love you, culpable as you
are. Yes, I love you too much; but I will discard you from my heart and
from my thoughts. Go hence--go and perish in some other place. But where
can he go? No matter, I'll think of him no more;--your sister alone
interests me; she only deserves my tenderness, my kindness. Dorval is
my friend; Dorval shall marry her. I will give them all my estate--I
will leave the guilty to their punishment, but will never abandon the
innocent.

SCENE II.--_Enter_ Dalancourt.

_Dal._ Ah, my uncle, hear me for pity's sake! [_He throws himself in
great agitation at_ Geronte's _feet._]

_Ger._ [_Sees_ Dalancourt, _then draws back a little._] What do you
want? Rise.

_Dal._ [_In the same posture._] My dea