MME. FLACHE [_goes toward_ Musotte] Yes, Mademoiselle, just as if he were a little Jesus. Do you wish to know what I think about him, this young man lying here? You will lead him to the altar for his marriage. He is a jewel, like yourself, my dear. MUSOTTE Do you really think him pretty? MME. FLACHE On the honor of a midwife, I have seldom brought into the world one so pretty. It is a pleasure to know that one has brought to the light such a little Cupid as he is. MUSOTTE And to think that in a few hours, perhaps, I shall see him no more; look at him no more; love him no more! MME. FLACHE Oh, no, no! You are talking unreasonably. MUSOTTE Ah, I know it too well! I heard you talking with the nurse. I know that the end is very near; this night, perhaps. Would the doctor have written to Jean to come and see me on this evening--the evening of his marriage--if I were not at the point of death? [_The bell rings_. Musotte _utters a cry_.] Ah, there he is! it is he! Quick! quick! Oh, God, how I suffer! [_Exit_ Mme. Flache C. Musotte _gazes after her. Enter_ Dr. Pellerin, _in evening clothes_.] SCENE II. MUSOTTE [_despairingly_] Ah! it is not he! PELLERIN [_approaches_ Musotte] Has he not come yet? MUSOTTE He will not come. DR. PELLERIN He will! I am certain of it; I know it. MUSOTTE No! DR. PELLERIN I swear it! [_Turns toward_ Mme. Flache.] Hasn't he answered the note yet? MME. FLACHE No, Doctor. DR. PELLERIN Well, he will come. How is my patient? MME. FLACHE She has rested a little. MUSOTTE [_in an agitated voice_] All is over! I feel that I shall not rest any more until he comes, or until I depart without having seen him. DR. PELLERIN He will come if you will go to sleep immediately and sleep until to-morrow morning. MUSOTTE You would not have written to him to come this evening if I had been able to wait until to-morrow morning. [_The bell rings_.] If that is not he, I am lost--lost! [Mme. Flache _runs to open the door_. Musotte _listens intently, and hears from below a man's voice; then murmurs despairingly_.] It is not he! MME. FLACHE [_re-enters with a vial in her hand_] It is the medicine from the chemist. MUSOTTE [_agitated_] Oh, God! how horrible! He is not coming; what have I done? Doctor, show me my child. I will see him once more. DR. PELLERIN But he sleeps, my little Musotte. MUSOTTE Well, he has plenty of time in the future for sleep. DR. PELLERIN Come, come, calm yourself. MUSOTTE If Jean does not come, who will take care of my child?--for it is Jean's child, I swear to you. Do you believe me? Oh, how I loved him! DR. PELLERIN Yes, my dear little child, we believe you. But please be calm. MUSOTTE [_with increasing agitation_] Tell me, when you went away just now where did you go? DR. PELLERIN To see a patient. MUSOTTE That is not true. You went to see Jean, and he would not come with you, or he would be here now. DR. PELLERIN On my word of honor, no. MUSOTTE