Jules Yes, they sent me away against my will, and I yielded to them! Reared as I have been in obedience, I still tremble before my family! But I carried away with me the memory of what I had left behind! It has taken me six months to realize the situation, and I now acknowledge that I risked my life in order to obtain the hand of Mlle. de Verby, that I might gratify the ambition of my family, or, if you like, might honor my own vanity. I hoped some day to be a man of title, I, the son of a rich stock-broker! Then I met Pamela, and I fell in love with her! The rest you know! What was a mere sentiment has now become a duty, and every hour that has kept me from her I have felt that obedience to my family was rank cowardice; and while they believe I am far away, I have returned! You told me she had been arrested--and to think that I should run away (to both of them) without coming to see you, who had been my deliverer, and will be hers also. Dupre (looking at them) Good! Very good! He is an honorable fellow after all. Pamela (aside, drying her tears) Thank God for that! Dupre What do you expect to do? What are your plans? Jules What are my plans? To unite my fortune with hers. If necessary, to forfeit everything for her, and under God's protection to say to her, "Pamela, will you be mine?" Dupre The deuce you say! But there is a slight difficulty in the way--for I am going to marry her myself. Jules (in great astonishment) You? Dupre Yes, I! (Pamela casts down her eyes.) I have no family to oppose my wishes. Jules I will win over mine. Dupre They will send you off to Brussels again. Jules I must run and find my mother; my courage has returned! Were I to forfeit the favor of my father, were my aunt to cut me off with a sou, I would stand my ground. If I did otherwise, I should be destitute of self-respect, I should prove myself a soulless coward.--After that, is there any hope for me? Dupre Do you ask such a question of me? Jules Pamela, answer, I implore you! Pamela (to Dupre) I have given you my word, sir. SCENE THIRD The same persons and a servant. (The servant hands a card to Dupre.) Dupre (looking at the card with great surprise) How is this? (To Jules) Do you know where M. de Verby is? Jules He is in Normandy, staying with his brother, Comte de Verby. Dupre (looking at the card) Very good. Now you had better go and find your mother. Jules But you promise me? Dupre I promise nothing. Jules Good-bye, Pamela! (Aside, as he goes out) I will come back soon. Dupre (turning towards Pamela, after the departure of Jules) Must he come back again? Pamela (with great emotion, throwing herself into his arms) Ah! sir! (Exit.) Dupre (looking after her and wiping away a tear) Gratitude, forsooth! (Opening a narrow secret door.) Come in, general; come in!