this innocent child a spy over me.

(Exit Napoleon.)

Ramel
Is this the General's child?

Ferdinand
Yes.

Ramel
He is twelve years old?

Ferdinand
About.

Ramel
Have you anything more to tell me?

Ferdinand
Really, I think I have told you enough.

Ramel
Very well! Go and get your dinner. Say nothing of my arrival, nor of
my purpose here. Let them finish their dinner in peace. Now go at
once.

(Exit Ferdinand.)

SCENE NINTH

Ramel (alone)
Poor fellow! If all young people had studied the annals of the court,
as I have done in seven years of a magistrate's work, they would come
to the conclusion that marriage must be accepted as the sole romance
which is possible in life. But if passion could control itself it
would be virtue.

Curtain to First Act.

ACT II

SCENE FIRST

(Stage setting remains as in Act I.)

Ramel and Marguerite; later, Felix.

(Ramel is buried in his reflections, reclining on the sofa in such a
way as to be almost out of sight. Marguerite brings in lights and
cards. Night is approaching.)

Marguerite
Four card tables--that will be enough, even though the cure, the mayor
and his assistant come. (Felix lights the candles.) I'll wager
anything that my poor Pauline will not be married this time. Dear
child! If her late mother were to see that she was not queen of the
house, she would weep in her coffin! I only remain here in order to
comfort and to wait upon her.

Felix (aside)
What is this old woman grumbling about? (Aloud) Whom are you
complaining of now, Marguerite? I'll bet it is the mistress.

Marguerite
No, it is not; I am blaming the master.

Felix
The General? You had better mind your own business. He is a saint, is
that man.

Marguerite
Yes, a stone saint, for he is blind.

Felix
You had better say that he has been blinded.

Marguerite
You hit the nail on the head there.

Felix
The General has but one fault--he is jealous.

Marguerite
Yes, and obstinate, too.

Felix
Yes, obstinate; it is the same thing. When once he suspects anything
he comes down like a hammer. That was the way he laid two men lifeless
at a blow. Between ourselves, there is only one way to treat a trooper
of that sort; you must stuff him with flattery. And the mistress
certainly does stuff him. Besides, she is clever enough to put
blinders on him, such as they put on shy