_Ger._ Neither of you shall stir to-night. Your rooms will be ready in a few minutes. _Mat_. Thank you, sir! I don't know what I should have done with him.--Susan, you wouldn't mind going home without me? You know Miss Lacordère-- _Ger._ Miss Lacordère! What do you know of her? _Mat_. Oh, dear! Oh, dear! I oughtn't to have mentioned her. But my poor head!-- _Ger._ What of Miss Lacordère? For God's sake, tell me. _Enter_ MRS. C. _with_ JAMES. _Sus_. Oh, nothing, sir! nothing at all! Only Miss Lacordère has been good to us--which it's more than can be said for everybody! (_Scowls at_ MRS. C. JAMES _proceeds to lift_ THOMAS. _She flies at him_.) Put the old gentleman down, you sneakin' reptile! How many doors have you been a hearkenin' at since mornin'--eh, putty-lump? You touch the old man again, and I'll mark you! Here, Bill! I'll take his head--you take his feet. We'll carry him between us like a feather. _Mat_. O Susan! do hold your tongue. _Sus_. It's my only weapon, my dear. If I was a man--see if I'd talk then. _James_. It's a providence you ain't a man, young woman! _Sus_. Right you are! Them's my werry motives. I ain't a makin' of no complaint on that score, young Plush! I wouldn't be a man for--no, not for--not even for sich a pair o' calves as yourn! SUS. _and_ BILL _carry_ THO. _out_. MAT. _follows_. GER. _is going after them_. _Mrs. C._ Don't you go, Arthur. They can manage quite well. I will go if you like. _Ger._ They know something about Constance. _Mrs. C._ Pray give yourself no anxiety about her. _Ger._ What do you mean, aunt? _Mrs. C._ I will be responsible for her. _Ger._ Where is she then? (_Exit_ MRS. C.) William!--If he doesn't come in one minute more, I'll go after her myself. Those girls know where she is. I am as strong as a giant.--O God! All but married to that infamous fellow!--That he should ever have touched the tip of one of her fingers! What a sunrise of hope! Psyche may yet fold her wings to my prayer! William! William!--Where _can_ the fellow be? _Enter_ COL. G. _in uniform and star, leading_ CONSTANCE. _Ger._ (_hurrying to meet them_). Constance! Constance! forgive me. Oh my God! You will when you know all. _Col. G._ She knows enough for that already, my boy, or she wouldn't be here. Take her--and me for her sake. _Ger._ What! who--? Constance!--What does it all mean?--It must be--can it be--my father?--William--It _is_ William!--William my father!--O father! father! (_throwing his arms about him_) it _was_ you all the time then! _Col. G._ My boy! my boy! There!--take Constance, and let me go. I did want to do something for you--but--There! I'm too much ashamed to look at you in my own person. _Ger._ (_kneeling_). Father! father! don't talk like that! O father! _my_ father!