Joseph (aside) Send him away, indeed. I'd like to know what right she has-- (Pamela makes a sign to Joseph.) Giraud (to Joseph) My friend, you had better leave us. It seems this is a private matter. Joseph Very well. (Exit.) SCENE FOURTH The same persons excepting Binet. Mme. du Brocard (to Pamela) You are acquainted with my nephew. I do not intend to reproach you. Your parents alone have the right. Mme. Giraud But, thank God, they have no reason. Giraud It is your nephew who has caused all this talk about her, but she is blameless! De Verby (interrupting him) But suppose that we wish her to be guilty? Pamela What do you mean, sir? Giraud and Mme. Giraud To think of it! Mme. du Brocard (seizing De Verby's meaning) Yes, suppose, to save the life of a poor young man-- De Verby It were necessary to declare that M. Jules Rousseau spent nearly the whole night of the twenty-fourth of August here with you? Pamela Ah! sir! De Verby (to Giraud and his wife) Yes, suppose it were necessary to testify against your daughter, by alleging this? Mme. Giraud I would never say such a thing. Giraud What! Insult my child! Sir, I have had all possible troubles. I was once a tailor, now I am reduced to nothing. I am a porter! But I have remained a father. My daughter is our sole treasure, the glory of our old age, and you ask us to dishonor her? Mme. du Brocard Pray listen to me, sir. Giraud No, madame, I will listen to nothing. My daughter is the hope of my gray hairs. Pamela Calm yourself, father, I implore you. Mme. Giraud Keep quite, Giraud! Do let this lady and gentleman speak! Mme. du Brocard A family in deep affliction implores you to save them. Pamela (aside) Poor Jules! De Verby (in a low voice to Pamela) His fate is in your hands. Mme. Giraud We are respectable people and know what it is for parents, for a mother, to be in despair. But what you ask is out of the question. (Pamela puts a handkerchief to her eyes.) Giraud We must stop this! You see the girl is in tears. Mme. Giraud She has done nothing but weep for several days. Giraud I know my daughter; she would be capable of going and making the declaration they ask, in spite of us. Mme. Giraud Yes,--for you must see, she loves him, she loves your nephew! And to save his life--Well! Well! I would have done as much in her place. Mme. du Brocard Have compassion on us! De Verby Grant this request of ours-- Mme. du Brocard (to Pamela) If it is true that you love Jules-- Mme. Giraud (leading Giraud up to Pamela) Did you hear that? Well! Listen to me. She is in love with this youth. It is quite certain that he also is in love with her. If she should make a sacrifice like that, as a return, he ought to marry her.