Dupre Just so. You are one of the conspirators! De Verby Monsieur! Dupre It is you who have led on this poor boy. De Verby Monsieur, this language--! Dupre Don't attempt to deceive me, but tell me how you managed to gain this bad influence over him? He is rich, he is in need of nothing. De Verby Listen!--If you say another word-- Dupre Oh! my life is of no consideration with me! De Verby Sir, you know very well that Jules will get off; and that if he does not behave properly, he will lose, through your fault, the chance of marriage with my niece, and thus the succession to the title of my brother, the Lord Chamberlain. Dupre Ah, that's what he was after, then! He's like all the rest of the schemers. Now consider, sir, what I am going to propose to you. You have powerful friends, and it is your duty-- De Verby My duty! I do not understand you, sir. Dupre You have been able to effect his ruin, and can you not bring about his release? (Aside) I have him there. De Verby I shall give my best consideration to the matter. Dupre Don't consider for a moment that you can escape me. De Verby A general who fears no danger can have no fear of a lawyer-- Dupre As you will! (Exit De Verby, who jostles against Joseph.) SCENE SEVENTH Dupre and Joseph Binet. Joseph I heard only yesterday, monsieur, that you were engaged for the defence of M. Jules Rousseau; I have been to your place, and have waited for you until I could wait no later. This morning I found that you had left your home, and as I am working for this house, a happy inspiration sent me here. I thought you would be coming here, and I waited for you-- Dupre What do you want with me? Joseph I am Joseph Binet. Dupre Well, proceed. Joseph Let me say without offence, sir, that I have fourteen hundred francs of my own--quite my own!--earned sou by sou. I am a journeyman upholsterer, and my uncle, Du Mouchel, a retired wine merchant, has plenty of the metal. Dupre Speak out openly! What is the meaning of this mysterious preamble? Joseph Fourteen hundred francs is of course a mere trifle, and they say that lawyers have to be well paid, and that it is because they are well paid that there are so many of them. I should have done better if I had been a lawyer--then she would have married me! Dupre Are you crazy? Joseph Not at all. I have here my fourteen hundred francs; take them, sir--no humbug! They are yours. Dupre And on what condition?