nd she will confess it. (To Pauline) Good-night, my
child; talk freely with your father. (Aside) I will listen.

(Gertrude enters her chamber and proceeds to close the door.)

SCENE SEVENTH

The General and Pauline.

The General (aside)
Act as my daughter's confessor! I am utterly unfitted for such a task!
She might rather act as confessor to me. (Aloud) Pauline, come here.
(He takes her on his knee) Now, do you really think, my pet, that an
old trooper like me doesn't understand your resolution to remain
single? Why, of course, that means, in every language in which it has
ever been uttered, that a young person is in a special hurry to be
married--to some one that she is in love with.

Pauline
Papa, I would like to tell you something, but I cannot have confidence
in you.

The General
And why not, mademoiselle?

Pauline
Because you tell everything to your wife.

The General
And you mean to tell me that you have a secret of such a kind that it
cannot be revealed to an angel, to the woman who has educated you--to
your second mother!

Pauline
Oh! If you are going to be vexed, I shall get off to bed. I used to
think that a father's heart would be a place of unfailing refuge for a
daughter.

The General
You silly child! Come, I am going to be in a good humor.

Pauline
How kind you are! But listen! Suppose I were in love with the son of
one of those whom you detest?

The General (rising abruptly to his feet and repulsing her)
I should detest you!

Pauline
And this is what you call being good humored?

(Gertrude appears.)

The General
My child, there are feelings in my heart that you should never rouse
in me; you ought to know this. They are my very life. Do you wish to
be the death of your father?

Pauline
Oh!

The General
Dear child! I have had my day. My lot, with you and Gertrude at my
side, is an enviable one. But, however sweet and charming is my life,
I would quit it without regret, if by that means I could render you
happy; for happiness is a debt we owe to those who owe to us their
existence.

Pauline (noticing the door ajar, aside)
Ah! she is listening. (Aloud) Father, I didn't mean what I said, but
suppose I felt a love of that kind and it was so violent that I was
likely to die of it?

The General
It would be best for you to tell me nothing about it, and wait for
your happiness until my death. And yet, since there is nothing more
sacred, noth