Ferdinand My position? I assure you, it is intolerable, among the three characters with whom I am cast. Pauline is daring, like all young persons who are innocent, to whom love is a wholly ideal thing, and who see no evil in anything, so long as it concerns a man whom they intend to marry. The penetration of Gertrude is very acute, but we manage to elude it through Pauline's terror lest my name should be divulged; the sense of this danger gives her strength to dissemble! But now Pauline has just refused Godard, and I do not know what may be the consequences. Ramel I know Godard; under a somewhat dull exterior he conceals great sagacity, and he is the most inquisitive man in the department. Is he here now? Ferdinand He dines here to-day. Ramel Do not trust him. Ferdinand If two women, between whom there is no love lost, make the discovery that they are rivals, one of them, I can't say which, is capable of killing the other, for one is strong in innocence and lawful love; the other, furious to see the fruit of so much dissimulation, so many sacrifices, even crimes lost to her forever. (Enter Napoleon.) Ramel You alarm me--me, the prosecuting attorney! Upon my word and honor, women often cost more than they are worth. Napoleon Dear friend! Papa and mamma are impatient about you; they send word that you must leave your business, and Vernon says that your stomach requires it. Ferdinand You little rogue! You are come eavesdropping! Napoleon Mamma whispered in my ear: "Go and see what your friend is doing." Ferdinand Run away, you little scamp! Be off! I am coming. (To Ramel) You see she makes this innocent child a spy over me. (Exit Napoleon.) Ramel Is this the General's child? Ferdinand Yes. Ramel He is twelve years old? Ferdinand About. Ramel Have you anything more to tell me? Ferdinand Really, I think I have told you enough. Ramel Very well! Go and get your dinner. Say nothing of my arrival, nor of my purpose here. Let them finish their dinner in peace. Now go at once. (Exit Ferdinand.) SCENE NINTH Ramel (alone) Poor fellow! If all young people had studied the annals of the court, as I have done in seven years of a magistrate's work, they would come to the conclusion that marriage must be accepted as the sole romance which is possible in life. But if passion could control itself it would be virtue. Curtain to First Act. ACT II SCENE FIRST (Stage setting remains as in Act I.) Ramel and Marguerite; later, Felix. (Ramel is buried in his reflections, reclining on the sofa in such a way as to be almost out of sight. Marguerite brings in lights and cards. Night is approaching.)