low M. Ferdinand de
Charny is!

Pauline
Lucky? Why is he lucky? Poor fellow! Does his good fortune consist in
the fact that he is my father's clerk?

Gertrude
M. de Rimonville--

The General
Godard--

Gertrude
M. de Rimonville--

The General
Godard, my wife is speaking to you.

Gertrude
Do you like much or little sugar?

Godard
A moderate quality.

Gertrude
Not much cream, I suppose?

Godard
On the contrary, plenty of cream, countess. (To Pauline) Ah, M.
Ferdinand is not then, after all the man who--whom you have
distinguished by your favor? I can at least assure you that he is very
much to the taste of your stepmother.

Pauline (aside)
How annoying these inquisitive provincials are!

Godard (aside)
It is fair that I should amuse myself a little at her expense before I
take leave. I must get something out of this visit.

Gertrude
M. de Rimonville, if you desire anything solid, there are sandwiches
here.

Godard
Thank you, madame.

Gertrude (whispering to Godard)
Your cause is not wholly lost.

Godard
O madame! I have thought a great deal over my rejection by Mlle. de
Grandchamp.

Gertrude
Ah! (To the doctor) Doctor, you will take yours as usual, I suppose?

Vernon
If you please, madame.

Godard (to Pauline)
Did you say, "poor fellow," mademoiselle? For M. Ferdinand is not so
poor as you think him. He is richer than I am!

Pauline
How do you know that?

Godard
I am certain of it, and I will tell you why. This M. Ferdinand, whom
you think you know, is an exceedingly crafty fellow--

Pauline (aside)
Can he possibly know his real name?

Gertrude (aside)
A few drops of opium in her tea will put her to sleep, and I shall be
saved.

Godard (to Pauline)
You cannot deny the authority of him who has put me on the track.

Pauline
Oh, sir! Kindly tell--

Godard
It was the prosecuting attorney. I remembered that at the house of the
Boudevilles it was said that your clerk--

Pauline (aside)
He is putting me on the rack.

Gertrude (offering a cup to Pauline)
Here, Pauline.

Vernon (aside)
Am I dreaming? I thought I saw her put something into Pauline's cup.

Pauline (to Godard)
And what did they say?

Godard
Ah! Ah! How attentive you are! I should have been exceedingly
flattered to think that you put on that air when any one was talking
about me, as I am now talking about M. Ferdinand de Charny.

Pauline
What a strange taste this tea has! You find yours good?

Goda