My uncle and your aunt were in the front of the landau, and you and I on the rear seat, and in another carriage were your father and Léon. What a glorious spring night! But how coldly you treated me! GILBERTE I was so embarrassed! JEAN You ought to recall that I put to you that day a question which I had already asked you, because you cannot deny that I had paid you very tender attention and that you had captured my heart. GILBERTE True. Nevertheless it surprised and upset me. Oh, how often have I remembered it since! But I have never been able to recall the very words you used. Do you remember them? JEAN No; they came from my lips, issuing from the bottom of my heart like a prayer for mercy. I only know that I told you that I should never re-enter your house if you did not give me some little hope that there should be a day when you would know me better. You pondered a long time before you answered me, but you spoke in such a low tone that I was anxious to make you repeat it. GILBERTE [_takes up his sentence and speaks as if in a dream_] I said that it would pain me greatly if I should see you no more. JEAN Yes, that is what you said. GILBERTE You have forgotten nothing! JEAN Could anyone forget that? [_With deep emotion._] Do you know what I think? As we look at each other and examine our hearts, our souls, our mutual understanding, our love, I verily believe that we have set out on the true road to happiness. [_Kisses her. For a moment they are silent._] GILBERTE [_rises_] But I must leave you. [_Goes toward door_ L.] I must prepare for our journey. Meanwhile, go and find my father. JEAN [_follows her_] Yes, but tell me before you go that you love me. GILBERTE Yes--I love you. JEAN [_kisses her forehead_] My only one. [_Exit_ Gilberte L., _a second after. Enter_ M. Martinel C. _with a very agitated air, and a letter in his hand_.] MARTINEL [_perceives_ Jean, _quickly slips the letter into his pocket; then, recollecting himself_] Have you seen Léon? JEAN No, are you looking for him? MARTINEL No, no, I have just a word to say to him concerning an engagement of small importance. JEAN [_perceives_ Léon] Wait a moment. Here he comes. [_Enter_ Léon R. _Exit_ Jean. C.] SCENE VI. (Martinel _and_ Léon.) MARTINEL [_goes quickly up to_ Léon] I must have five minutes with you. Something terrible has happened. Never in the course of my life have I been placed in so awkward and so embarrassing a situation. LÉON Quick! What is it? MARTINEL I had just finished my game at billiards when a servant brought me a letter addressed to M. Martinel, without any Christian name by which to identify it, but with these words on the letter “Exceedingly urgent.” I thought it was addressed to me, so I tore open the envelope, and I read words intended for Jean--words which have well-nigh taken away my reason. I came to find you in order to ask advice, for this is a thing which must be decided upon the moment. LÉON