The General Granted; but does not the heart count for a good deal in this? Come now, Ferdinand, you know my way of considering the different ranks of society, and the distinctions pertaining to them. We are all the sons of our own works. I have been a soldier. You may therefore have full confidence in me. They have told me all; how you love a certain young person, here present. If you desire it, she shall be yours. My wife had pleaded your cause, and I must acknowledge that she has gained it before the tribunal of my heart. Ferdinand General, can this be true? Madame de Grandchamp has pleaded my cause? Ah, madame! (He falls on his knees before her.) I acknowledge in this your greatness of heart! You are sublime, you are an angel! (Rising and rushing forward to Pauline.) Pauline, my Pauline! Gertrude (to the General) I guessed aright; he is in love with Pauline. Pauline Sir, have I ever given you the right, by a single look, or by a single word, to utter my name in this way? No one could be more astonished than I am to find that I have inspired you with sentiments which might flatter others, but which I can never reciprocate; I have a higher ambition. The General Pauline, my child, you are more than severe. Come, tell me, is there not some misunderstanding here? Ferdinand, come here, come close to me. Ferdinand How is it, mademoiselle, when your stepmother, and your father agree? Pauline (in a low voice to Ferdinand) We are lost! The General Now I am going to act the tyrant. Tell me, Ferdinand, of course your family is an honorable one? Pauline (to Ferdinand) You hear that! The General Your father must certainly have been a man of as honorable a profession as mine was; my father was sergeant of the watch. Gertrude (aside) They are now separated forever. Ferdinand Ah! (To Gertrude) I understand your move. (To the General) General, I do not deny that once in a dream, long ago, in a sweet dream, in which it was delicious for a man poor and without family to indulge in--dreams we are told are all the fortune that ever comes to the unfortunate--I do not deny that I once regarded it as a piece of overwhelming happiness to become a member of your family; but the reception which mademoiselle accords to those natural hopes of mine, and which you have been cruel enough to make me reveal, is such that at the present moment they have left my heart, never again to return! I have been rudely awakened from that dream, General. The poor man has his pride, which it is as ungenerous in the rich man to wound, as it would be for any one to insult--mark what I say--your attachment to Napoleon. (In a low voice to Gertrude) You are playing a terrible part! Gertrude (aside to Ferdinand) She shall marry Godard.