(De Verby rises from the table. Mme. du Brocard takes his place and begins to write.) Mme. Rousseau (to her husband) My dear, I implore you! Rousseau (with decision) By heavens! I shall promise to this devil of a lawyer all that he asks of me; but Jules is at Brussels. (The door opens, Joseph cries out in alarm, but it is Dupre who enters.) SCENE NINTH The same persons and Dupre. Dupre How is this? (Mme du Brocard hands him the letter she has been writing; De Verby hands him his; and it is passed over to Rousseau who reads it with astonishment; De Verby casts a furious glance at Dupre and the Rousseau family, and dashes out of the room.) Dupre (to Rousseau) And what decision have you made, sir? Rousseau I shall let my son do exactly what he wants in the matter. Mme. Rousseau Dear husband! Dupre (aside) He thinks that Jules is out of town. Rousseau At present Jules is at Brussels, and he must return at once. Dupre That is perfectly fair! It is quite clear that I can't demand anything at the moment of you, so long as he is away; to do so would be absurd. Rousseau Certainly! We can settle matters later. Dupre Yes, as soon as he returns. Rousseau Oh! as soon as he returns. (Aside) I will take pretty good care that he remains where he is. Dupre (going towards the door on the left) Come in, young man, and thank your family, who have given their full consent to your marriage. Mme. Rousseau It is Jules! Mme. du Brocard It is my nephew! Jules Can it be possible? Dupre (darting towards another room) And you, Pamela, my child, my daughter!--embrace your husband. (Jules rushes towards her.) Mme. du Brocard (to Rousseau) How has all this come about? Dupre Pamela never was arrested. There is no likelihood of her ever being. I haven't a title of nobility. I am not the brother of a peer of France, but still I have some influence. The self-sacrifice of this poor girl has aroused the sympathy of the government--the indictment has been quashed. The Keeper of the Seals has sent me word of this by an orderly on horseback, whom this simpleton took for a regiment of soldiers in pursuit of him. Joseph It is very hard to see plainly through a garret window. Mme. du Brocard Sir, you have caught me by surprise; I take back my promise. Dupre But I still have possession of your latter. Do you wish to have a lawsuit about it? Very well, I will appear against you on the other side. Giraud and Mme. Giraud (entering and approaching Dupre) M. Dupre! Dupre Are you satisfied with me? (In the meantime Jules and Mme. Rousseau have been imploring Rousseau to yield his consent; he hesitates, but at last kisses Pamela on the forehead. Dupre approaches Rousseau and, seeing him kiss Pamela, wrings his hand.)