Joseph Soldiers! Mounted soldiers are coming to arrest me! Dupre Hold your tongue! Hold your tongue! (Everybody seems alarmed. Dupre looks with anxiety towards the room where Pamela is. To Joseph) To arrest you? Joseph I saw one of them. Don't you hear him? He is coming up-stairs. Hide me! (Joseph tries to hide himself in the small room, from which De Verby comes out with a cry.) De Verby Ah! (Joseph gets behind the curtain and Mme. du Brocard rushes forth with a shriek.) Mme. du Brocard Oh, heavens! Mme. Rousseau My sister! Rousseau M. de Verby! (The door opens.) Joseph (falling exhausted over a chair) We are all nabbed. The servant (entering, to Dupre) A message from the Keeper of the Seals. Joseph The Keeper of the Seals! That must be about me! Dupre (advancing with a serious face and addressing the four others) I shall now leave you all four face to face--you whose mutual love and esteem is so great. Ponder well all I have said to you; she who sacrificed all for you, has been despised and humiliated, both for you and by you. It is yours to make full reparation to her--to make it to-day--this very instant--in this very room. And then, we can take measures by which all can obtain deliverance, if indeed you are worth the trouble it will cost me. (Exit Dupre.) SCENE EIGHTH The same persons with the exception of Dupre. (They stand looking awkwardly at each other for a moment.) Joseph (going up to them) We are a nice lot of people. (To De Verby) I should like to know when we are put in prison, whether you are going to look out for me, for my pocket is as light as my heart is heavy. (De Verby turns his back on him. To Rousseau) You know well enough that I was promised something for my services. (Rousseau withdraws from him without answering. To Mme. du Brocard) Tell me now, wasn't something promised to me? Mme. du Brocard We will see about that later. Mme. Rousseau But what do you fear? What are you doing in this place? Were you pursued by any one? Joseph Not at all. I have been four days in this house, hidden like so much vermin in the garret. I came here because the old Giraud people were not to be found in their quarters. They have been carried off somewhere. Pamela has also disappeared--she is doubtless in hiding. I had no particular desire to run any risk; I admit that I lied to the judge. If I am condemned I will obtain my freedom by making a few startling revelations; I will tell on everybody!-- De Verby (with energy) It must be done! (De Verby sits at the table and writes.) Mme. du Brocard O Jules, Jules! Wretched child, you are the cause of all this! Mme. Rousseau (to her husband) You see, this lawyer has got you all in his power! You will have to agree to his terms.