m in this letter the fatal secret of your
birth which compels me thus to leave him.

Ferdinand
Dismiss your fears. Eugene completed his preparations for my departure
yesterday. Here is the sum of money which your father owed me. (He
shows her a pocket-book.) Give me your receipt. (He puts down some
money on the table.) I have only to give in my balance sheet in order
to be free. We shall reach Rouen in three hours, and at Havre we shall
take an American ship. Eugene has sent a trusty man to secure me a
passage on board. The officers of the vessel will think it only
natural that a man should take his wife abroad with him, so we shall
meet with no obstacle--

SCENE SEVENTH

The same persons and Gertrude.

Gertrude
Excepting me.

Pauline
We are lost!

Gertrude
So you are going to start without telling me, Ferdinand? Oh, indeed!
But I have heard it all.

Ferdinand (to Pauline)
Mademoiselle, have the goodness to give me your receipt, it is
indispensable in completing the account which I must give to your
father before leaving. (To Gertrude) Madame, you may be able, perhaps,
to prevent mademoiselle from going away; but I can no longer remain
here, and I must absolutely start to-night.

Gertrude
You must stay here, and you shall stay here, sir!

Ferdinand
Against my will?

Gertrude
What mademoiselle wishes to do, I myself will do, and without fear. I
will make M. de Grandchamp come into this very room, and you will at
once see that he will compel you to leave, but--with me and my child.
(Felix appears.) Beg M. de Grandchamp to come here.

Ferdinand (to Pauline)
I see her object. Detain her here, while I overtake Felix, and prevent
him from speaking to the General! Eugene will tell you how you must
act after my departure. When once we have left this place, Gertrude
will be powerless to oppose us. (To Gertrude) Farewell, madame. You
lately made an attack on Pauline's life, and by this act have broken
the last ties that bound me to your friendship.

Gertrude
You have nothing but accusations for me! But you do not know what
mademoiselle intended telling her father concerning you and me.

Ferdinand
I love her, and will love her all my life; I shall be able to defend
her against you, and I prize her high enough to suffer banishment in
order to obtain her. Farewell.

Pauline
Dear, dear Ferdinand!

SCENE EIGHTH

Gertrude and Pauline.