_Enter Jeanne, Count Clairmont, followed by Secretary Lagard and the Count's adjudant, an elderly General of stem appearance, with numerous decorations upon his chest. The Count himself is tall, well built and young, in a modest officer's uniform, without any medals to signify his high station. He carries himself very modestly, almost bashfully, but overcoming his first uneasiness, he speaks warmly and powerfully and freely. His gestures are swift. All treat him with profound respect._ _Lagard is a strong old man with a leonine gray head. He speaks simply, his gestures are calm and resolute. It is evident that he is in the habit of speaking from a platform._ _Jeanne holds a large bouquet of flowers in her hands. Count Clairmont walks directly toward Grelieu's bedside._ COUNT CLAIRMONT _Confused._ I have come to shake hands with you, my dear master. Oh, but do not make a single unnecessary movement, not a single one, otherwise I shall be very unhappy! EMIL GRELIEU I am deeply moved, I am happy. COUNT CLAIRMONT No, no, don't speak that way. Here stands before you only a man who has learned to think from your books. But see what they have done to you--look, Lagard! LAGARD How are you, Grelieu? I, too, want to shake your hand. Today I am a Secretary by the will of Fate, but yesterday I was only a physician, and I may congratulate you--you have a kind hand. Let me feel your pulse. GENERAL _Coming forward modestly._ Allow me, too, in the name of this entire army of ours to express to you our admiration, Monsieur Grelieu! EMIL GRELIEU I thank you. I am feeling perfectly well, Lagard. COUNT CLAIRMONT But perhaps it is necessary to have a surgeon? JEANNE He can listen and talk, Count. He is smiling--he can listen. COUNT CLAIRMONT _Noticing Maurice, confused._ Oh! who is this? Please put down your hand--you are wounded. MAURICE I am so happy, Count. JEANNE This is our second son. Our first son, Pierre, was killed at Liège-- COUNT CLAIRMONT I dare not console you, Madame Grelieu. Give me your hand, Maurice. MAURICE Oh, Count! I am only a soldier. I dare not-- COUNT CLAIRMONT My dear young man, I, too, am nothing but a soldier now. Your hand, comrade. That's the way. Master! My children and my wife have sent you flowers--but where are they? Oh! how absentminded I am. JEANNE Here they are, Count. COUNT CLAIRMONT Thank you. But I did not know that your flowers were better than mine, for my flowers smell of smoke. LAGARD Like all Belgium. _To Count Clairmont._ His pulse is good. Grelieu, we have come to you not only to express our sympathy. Through me all the working people of Belgium are shaking your hand. EMIL GRELIEU I am proud of it, Lagard. LAGARD But we are just as proud. Yes; there is something we must discuss with you. Count Clairmont did not wish to disturb you, but I said: "Let him die, but before that we must speak to him." Isn't that so, comrade? EMIL GRELIEU