Mme. du Brocard She has refused! Mme. Rousseau Oh, heavens! Dupre Refused what? Mme. du Brocard An income of six thousand francs. Dupre I could have wagered on it. To think of offering money! Mme. du Brocard But it was the only way-- Dupre To spoil everything. (To Mme. Giraud) Madame, kindly tell your daughter that the counsel of M. Jules Rousseau is here and desires to see her. Mme. Giraud Oh, as for that you will gain nothing. Giraud Either from her or from us. Joseph But what is it they want? Giraud Hold your tongue. Mme. du Brocard (to Mme. Giraud) Madame, offer her-- Dupre Now, Mme. du Brocard, I must beg you-- (To Mme. Giraud) It is in the name of the mother of Jules that I ask of you permission to see your daughter. Mme. Giraud It will be of no use at all, sir! And to think that they point-blank offered her money when the young man a little time before had spoken of marrying her! Mme. Rousseau (with excitement) Well, why not? Mme. Giraud (with vehemence) How was that, madame? Dupre (seizing the hand of Mme. Giraud) Come, come! Bring me your daughter. (Exit Mme. Giraud.) De Verby and Mme. du Brocard You have then made up your mind? Dupre It is not I, but madame who has made up her mind. De Verby (questioning Mme. du Brocard) What has she promised? Dupre (seeing that Joseph is listening) Be silent, general; stay for a moment, I beg you, with these ladies. Here she comes. Now leave us alone, if you please. (Pamela is brought in by her mother. She makes a curtsey to Mme. Rousseau, who gazes at her with emotion; then Dupre leads all but Pamela into the other room; Joseph remains behind.) Joseph (aside) I wonder what they mean. They all talk of a sacrifice! And old Giraud won't say a word to me! Well, I can bide my time. I promised the advocate that I would give him my fourteen hundred francs, but before I do so, I would like to see how he acts with regard to me. Dupre (going up to Joseph) Joseph Binet, you must leave the room. Joseph And not hear what you say about me? Dupre You must go away. Joseph (aside) It is evident that they are concealing something from me. (To Dupre) I have prepared her mind; she is much taken with the idea of transportation. Stick to that point. Dupre All right! But you must leave the room. Joseph (aside) Leave the room! Oh, indeed! Not I. (Joseph makes as if he had withdrawn, but, quietly returning, hides himself in a closet.) Dupre (to Pamela) You have consented to see me, and I thank you for it. I know exactly what has recently taken place here, and I am not going to address you in the same way as you have been recently addressed. Pamela Your very presence assures me of that, sir. Dupre You are in love with this fine young man, this Joseph? Pamela I am aware, sir, that advocates are like confessors!