Dupre Don't let me hear you use that word,--it spoils everything! The world is something that I despise! And I render to it no account of my conduct, my hatred or my love. From the moment I saw your courage and your resignation--I loved you. Try to love me in return! Pamela Ah, sir, indeed I will! Mme. Giraud Could any one help loving you? Giraud Sir, I am only a poor porter. I repeat it, I am nothing but a porter. You love our daughter, you have told her so. Forgive me--my eyes are full of tears--and that checks my utterance. (He wipes his eyes.) Well, well, you do right to love her! It proves that you have brains! For Pamela--there are a great many landowners' children who are her inferiors. But it is humiliating for her to have parents such as us. Pamela O father! Giraud You are a leader among men! Well, I and my wife, we will go and hide ourselves somewhere far into the country! And on Sunday, at the hour of mass, you will say, "They are praying to God for us!" (Pamela kisses her parents.) Dupre You are good people, and to think that such as you have neither title nor fortune! And if you are pining for your country home, you shall return there and live there in happiness and tranquillity, and I will make provision for you. Giraud and Mme. Giraud Oh! our gratitude-- Dupre That word again--I should like to cut it out of the dictionary! Meanwhile I intend to take you both with me into the country, so set about packing up. Giraud Sir! Dupre Well, what is it? Giraud Poor Joseph Binet is also in danger. He does not know that we are all here. But three days ago, he came to see your servant and seemed scared almost to death, and he is hidden here, as in a sanctuary, up in the attic. Dupre Call him down-stairs. Giraud He will not come, sir; he is too much afraid of being arrested--they pass him up food through a hole in the ceiling! Dupre He will soon be at liberty, I hope. I am expecting a letter which will relieve all your minds. Giraud At once? Dupre I expect the letter this evening. Giraud (to his wife) I am going to make my way cautiously to the house. (Madame Giraud accompanies him, and gives him advice. Pamela arises to follow her.) Dupre (restraining Pamela) You are not in love with this Binet, are you? Pamela Oh, never! Dupre And the other? Pamela (struggling with her feelings) I shall love none but you! (Pamela starts to leave the room. A noise is heard in the antechamber. Jules appears.) SCENE SECOND Pamela, Dupre and Jules. Jules (to the servants) Let me pass! I tell you--I must speak to him at once! (Noticing Dupre) Ah, sir! What has become of Pamela? Is she at liberty? Is she safe? Pamela (stopping at the door) Jules! Jules Good heavens! You here? Dupre And you, sir, I thought you were at Brussels?