Giraud You may rest assured of that, sir; when I come here I walk with my head turned backwards! I know well enough that the least want of caution quickly results in misfortune. Your heart, my daughter, has led you astray this time; perjury is a terrible thing and I am afraid you are in a serious mess. Mme. Giraud I agree with you. You must be very careful, Giraud, for if any one were to follow you and discover that our poor daughter was here in concealment, through the generosity of M. Dupre-- Dupre Come now, enough of that! (He continues to stride hastily about the room.) What ingratitude! The Rousseau family are ignorant of what steps I have taken. They believe that Pamela has been arrested, and none of them trouble their heads about it! They have sent Jules off to Brussels; De Verby is in the country; and Rousseau carries on his business at the Bourse as if nothing else was worth living for. Money, ambition, are their sole objects. The higher feelings count for nothing! They all worship the golden calf. Money makes them dance round their idol; the sight of it blinds them. (Pamela has been watching him, she rises and approaches him.) Pamela M. Dupre, you are agitated, you seem unwell. I fear it is on my account. Dupre Have you not shared my disgust at the hateful want of feeling manifested by this family, who, as soon as their son is acquitted, throw you aside as a mere tool that has served their purpose? Pamela But what can we do about it, sir? Dupre Dear child, does your heart feel no bitterness against them? Pamela No, sir! I am happier than any of them; for I feel that I have done a good deed. Mme. Giraud (embracing Pamela) My poor dear daughter! Giraud This is the happiest moment of my life. Dupre (addressing Pamela) Mademoiselle, you are a noble girl! No one has better ground for saying it than I, for it was I who came to you imploring you to speak the truth; and pure and honorable as you are, you have compromised your character for the sake of another. And now they repulse you and treat you with contempt; but I look upon you with hearty admiration-- you shall yet be happy, for I will make full reparation to you! Pamela, I am forty-eight years old. I have some reputation, and a fortune. I have spent my life as an honest man, and will finish it as such; will you be my wife? Pamela (much moved) I, sir? Giraud His wife! Our daughter his wife! What do you say to that, Mme. Giraud? Mme. Giraud Can it be possible? Dupre Why should you wonder at this? Let us have no idle phrases. Put the question to your own heart--and answer yes or no--Will you be my wife? Pamela You are a great man, sir, and I owe everything to you. Do you really wish to add to the debt? Ah! my gratitude--!