ANNETTE [_still kneeling_] I didn’t know—I understood nothing. He took me by surprise. I had loved him for a long time. When he was with his regiment I used to look forward for weeks to his coming home on leave. Just the thought of seeing him used to make me tremble. Before I even knew myself that I was in love with him, he guessed it. He made me tell him so when he asked me to marry him. Then one day—his father and mother were away, and someone came and called Gabrielle, I don’t know why. When we were alone—I didn’t understand—I thought he had suddenly gone mad. But when he kissed me like that I was stunned—I couldn’t do any thing—happy, and afraid, and ashamed. That was three months ago. The next day I met him in the street. I was in such a state that he said, quite of himself ‘I shall speak at once to my people about our marriage.’ I know he meant it, because really he is honest and good. Only, I suppose he hadn’t courage. Then, when I found they were going away so soon, I said to him yesterday ‘You _must_ speak.’ And now they don’t want me! LUCIE. And he knows that—? ANNETTE. No. No. Since that day—O, that day!—I’ve never been alone with him. We say ‘monsieur’ and ’mademoiselle’ when we meet and [_in an awestruck tone_] he is the father of my child. LUCIE [_after a silence_] It’s not a question now of a girl not to be married because she is poor. It’s a question of atoning for a crime. Julien must speak to M. Bernin. ANNETTE. You’re going to tell him? LUCIE. I must. Go back to your room. You’re in no fit state to come to dinner. [_She looks at the clock_] I have only just time to dress. Directly the people are gone I shall speak to Jules. When do they go away? ANNETTE. In a fortnight. LUCIE. It’s no matter. Jules shall see M. Bernin tomorrow. ANNETTE. He won’t. He’ll have nothing more to do with me. LUCIE. No. He will do all he can to save you. ANNETTE. I don’t think so. Dearest, you are mistaken. LUCIE. No, I’m not mistaken. I am _certain_. Go. [_Annette goes out_]. I’m _not_ mistaken. But if I were! If there were no one but me to defend this child and her baby! [_A knock at the office door_]. Come in. [_The clerk enters_] What is it? CLERK [_laying a paper on the table_] It is the circular from the Minister of the Interior. M. le sous-préfet told me to put it here. ACT II _Same scene._ _Lucie, the colonel, Madame Chevillot, Chevillot, the sous-intendant, Brignac, Jacques Poiret, Pierre Poiret, and Laurent. The last three are provincial mayors._ _Lucie and Madame Chevillot are in smart evening gowns; the colonel and the sous-intendant in uniform; Chevillot and Brignac are in evening dress; Jacques Poiret in a frock coat, and Laurent and Pierre Poiret in morning coats._ _It is after dinner. They are drinking coffee._