(The setting is a drawing-room in the Rousseau mansion. Antoine is looking through the newspapers.) Antoine and Justine. Justine Well, Antoine, have you read the papers? Antoine I am reading them. Isn't it a pity that we servants cannot learn, excepting through the papers, what is going on in the trial of M. Jules? Justine And yet the master and mistress and Mme. du Brocard, their sister, know nothing. M. Jules has been for three months--in--what do they call it?--in close confinement. Antoine The arrest of the young man has evidently attracted great attention-- Justine It seems absurd to think that a young man who had nothing to do but amuse himself, who would some day inherit his aunt's income of twenty thousand francs, and his father's and mother's fortune, which is quite double that amount, should be mixed up in a conspiracy! Antoine I admire him for it, for they were plotting to bring back the emperor! You may cause my throat to be cut if you like. We are alone here--you don't belong to the police; long live the emperor! say I. Justine For mercy's sake, hold your tongue, you old fool!--If any one heard you, you would get us all arrested. Antoine I am not afraid of that, thank God! The answers I made to the magistrate were non-committal; I never compromised M. Jules, like the traitors who informed against him. Justine Mme. du Brocard with all her immense savings ought to be able to buy him off. Antoine Oh, nonsense! Since the escape of Lavalette such a thing is impossible! They have become extremely particular at the gates of the prison, and they were never particularly accommodating. M. Jules will have to take his dose you see; he will be a martyr. I shall go and see him executed. (Some one rings. Exit Antoine.) Justine We will go and see him! When one has known a condemned man I don't see how they can have the heart to--As for me I shall go to the Court of Assizes. I feel, poor boy, I owe him that! SCENE SECOND Dupre, Antoine and Justine. Antoine (aside, as he ushers in Dupre) Ah! The lawyer. (Aloud) Justine, go and tell madame that Monsieur Dupre is waiting. (Aside) The lawyer is a hard nut to crack, I'm thinking. (Aloud) Sir, is there any hope of saving our poor M. Jules? Dupre I perceive that you are very fond of your young master? Antoine Naturally enough! Dupre What would you do to save him? Antoine Anything, sir! Dupre That means nothing. Antoine Nothing?--I will give whatever evidence you like. Dupre If you are caught in contradicting yourself and convicted of perjury, do you know what you run the risk of? Antoine No, sir. Dupre The galleys. Antoine That is rather severe, sir. Dupre You would prefer to serve him without compromising yourself? Antoine Is there any other way? Dupre No.