Godard You are far too clever, mademoiselle, not to consider as quite natural the curiosity of an honorable young man, who has an income of forty thousand francs, besides his savings, to learn of the reason why he should be accepted after a lapse of twenty-four hours from his rejection--For, yesterday, it was at this very hour--(He pulls out his watch) Half-past five-- The General What do you mean by all this? It looks as if you are not as much in love as you said you were. You have come here to complain of a charming girl at the very moment when she has told you-- Godard I would not complain, if the subject were not marriage. Marriage, General, is at once the cause and the effect of sentiment. The General Pardon me, Godard, I am a little hasty, as you know. Pauline (to Godard) Sir--(Aside) Oh, how I suffer! (Aloud) Sir, why should poor young girls-- Godard Poor? No, no, mademoiselle; you are not poor. You have four hundred thousand francs. Pauline Why should weak young girls-- Godard Weak? Pauline Well, then, innocent young persons--be so very fastidious about the character of the man who presents himself as their lord and master? If you love me, will you punish yourself--will you punish me--because your love has been submitted to a test? Godard Of course, from that point of view-- The General Oh! These women! These women! Godard You may just as well say, "These daughters." The General Yes, for I am quite sure that mine has more brains than I have. SCENE SEVENTEENTH The same persons, Gertrude and then Napoleon. Gertrude How has it turned out, M. Godard? Godard Ah, Madame! General! My happiness is complete, and my dream fulfilled. For now I am to be admitted into a family like yours. To think that I --Ah! Madame! General! (Aside) I'd like to find out the mystery, for she has precious little love for me. Napoleon (entering) Papa, I have won the school medal--Good-day, mamma--and where is Pauline? And so you are sick? Poor little sister! I'll tell you something--I have found out where justice comes from. Gertrude And who told you? Ah! see what a lovely boy he is! Napoleon The master told me that justice comes from God. Godard It is very plain that your master was not born in Normandy. Pauline (in a low voice to Marguerite) O Marguerite! Dear Marguerite! Do send them all away. Marguerite Gentlemen, Mlle. Pauline desires to take a little nap. The General Just so, Pauline, we will leave you, and you need not get up till dinner time. Pauline I will certainly get up then if I can. Father, kiss me before you go. The General (kissing her) My darling child! (To Napoleon) Come, my boy. (They all go out, except Pauline, Marguerite and Napoleon.) Napoleon (to Pauline) And how is it you do not kiss me? Tell me what ails you? Pauline Oh! I am dying! Napoleon Do people die? Pauline, what is death made of? Pauline Death--is made--like this-- (Pauline falls back into Marguerite's arms.)