Oh, I have my opinion also about that, my dear Aunt. PETITPRÉ [_rises_] It is not almost a crime,--it is one. But it is looked upon to-day as so common a thing that one scarcely punishes it at all. It is punished by divorce, which is a house of refuge for most men. The law prefers to separate them with decency--timidly, rather than drag them apart as in former times. MME. DE RONCHARD Your learned theories are revolting, and I wish-- LÉON [_rises_] Ah, here is Monsieur Martinel. SCENE III. (_The same, and_ Monsieur Martinel.) MARTINEL [_with great emotion_] I come to fulfill an exceedingly difficult task. Jean, who has gone to his own house, before daring to present himself here, has sent Doctor Pellerin to me. I am commissioned by him to make you acquainted with the sad position in which Jean finds himself,--in which we all find ourselves. MME. DE RONCHARD Ah, ha! Now, I am going to learn something! MARTINEL By a letter which you will read presently, we have learned this evening, in this house, of a new misfortune. A woman of whose existence you are all aware was at the point of death. MME. DE RONCHARD Did I not predict that she would do just this thing? LÉON Let M. Martinel speak, my dear Aunt. MME. DE RONCHARD And now that this woman has seen him, how does she feel--his dying patient? Better, without a doubt? MARTINEL [_quietly_] She died, Madame, died before his eyes. MME. DE RONCHARD Died this evening! Impossible! MARTINEL Nevertheless, it is so, Madame. LÉON [_aside_] Poor little Musotte! MARTINEL There is a serious thing to be considered here. This woman left a child, and that child's father is Jean. MME. DE RONCHARD [_stupefied_] A child! MARTINEL [_to_ Petitpré] Read the physician's letter, Monsieur. [_Hands_ Petitpré _the letter, and_ Petitpré _reads it_.] MME. DE RONCHARD He had a child and he has never confessed it; has never said anything about it; has hidden it from us! What infamy! MARTINEL He would have told you in due time. MME. DE RONCHARD He would have told! That is altogether too strong--you are mocking us! LÉON But, my dear Aunt, let my father answer. I shall go and find Gilberte. She will be dying of anxiety. We have no right to hide the truth from her any longer. I am going to acquaint her with it. MME. DE RONCHARD [_accompanying him to the door_] You have a pleasant task, but you will not succeed in arranging matters. LÉON [_at door_ L.] In any case I shall not embroil them with each other as you would. [_Exit_ L.] SCENE IV. (Petitpré, Martinel, _and_ Madame de Ronchard.) PETITPRÉ [_who has finished reading the letter_] Then, Martinel, you say that your nephew was ignorant of the situation of this woman. MARTINEL Upon my honor. MME. DE RONCHARD It is incredible. MARTINEL I will answer you in a word. If my nephew had known of this situation, would he have done what he has this evening? PETITPRÉ Explain yourself more clearly. MARTINEL