SCENE FIRST

(The stage represents Madame du Brocard's salon, from which can be
seen the Court of Assizes.)

Madame du Brocard, Madame Rousseau, Rousseau, Joseph Binet, Dupre and
Justine.

(Dupre is seated reading his note-book.)

Mme. Rousseau
M. Dupre!

Dupre
Yes, madame, the court adjourned after the speech of the prosecuting
attorney. And I came over to reassure you personally.

Mme. du Brocard
I told you, sister, that some one was sure to come and keep us
informed of things. In my house, here, which is so close to the court
house, we are in a favorable position for learning all that goes on at
the trial. Ah, M. Dupre! How can we thank you enough! You spoke
superbly! (To Justine) Justine, bring in something to drink—Quick!

Rousseau
Sir, your speech— (To his wife) He was magnificent.

Dupre
Sir,—

Joseph (in tears)
Yes, you were magnificent, magnificent!

Dupre
I am not the person you ought to thank, but that child, that Pamela,
who showed such astonishing courage.

Joseph
And didn't I do well?

Mme. Rousseau
And he (pointing to Binet), did he carry out the threat he made to us?

Dupre
No, he took your side.

Joseph
It was your fault! But for you—Ah!—Well—I reached the court house,
having made up my mind to mix up everything; but when I saw all the
people, the judge, the jury, the crowd, and the terrible silence, I
trembled! Nevertheless I screwed up my courage. When I was questioned,
I was just about to answer, when my glance met the eyes of Mlle.
Pamela, which were filled with tears—I felt as if my tongue was
bound. And on the other side I saw M. Jules—a handsome youth, his
fine face conspicuous among them all. His expression was as tranquil
as if he had been a mere spectator. That knocked me out! "Don't be
afraid," said the judge to me. I was absolutely beside myself! I was
afraid of making some mistake; and then I had sworn to keep to the
truth; and then M. Dupre fixed his eye on me. I can't tell you what
that eye seemed to say to me—My tongue seemed twisted up. I broke out
into a sweat—my heart beat hard—and I began to cry, like a fool. You
were magnificent. And then in a moment it was all over. He made me do
exactly what he wanted. This is the way I lied: I said that on the
evening of the twenty-fourth I unexpectedly came to Pamela's room and
found M. Jules there—Yes, at Pamela's, the girl whom I was going to
marry, whom I still love—and our marriage will be the talk of the
whole neighborhood. Never mind, he's a great lawyer! Never mind! (To
Justine) Give me something to drink, will you?

Rousseau, Mme. Rousseau, Mme. du Brocard (To Joseph)
Dear friend! You showed yourself a fine fellow!

Dupre
The energy shown by Pamela makes me hopeful. I trembled for a moment
while she was giving evidence; the prosecuting attorney pressed her
very hard and seemed to doubt her veracity; she grew pale and I
thought she was going to faint.

Joseph
And what must my feelings have been?

Dupre
Her self-sacrifice was wonderful. You don't realize all that she has
undergone for you; I, myself even, was deceived by her; she was her
own accuser, yet all the time was innocent. Only one moment did she
falter; but darting a rapid glance at Jules, she suddenly rallied, a
blush took the place of pallor on her countenance, and we felt that
she had saved her lover; in spite of the risk she was running, she
repeated once more before all those people the story of her own
disgrace, and then fell weeping into the arms of her mother.

Joseph
Yes, she is a fine girl.

Dupre
But I must leave you; the summing up of the judge will come this
afternoon.

Rousseau
You must be going then.

Dupre
One moment! Do not forget Pamela! That young girl has compromised her
own honor for you and for him.

Joseph
As for me, I don't ask anything, but I have been led to expect—

Mme. du Brocard, Mme. Rousseau
We can never pay our debt of gratitude to you.

Dupre
Very good; come, gentlemen, we must be starting.

(Exeunt Dupre and Rousseau.)

SCENE SECOND

The same persons excepting Dupre and Rousseau.

Mme. du Brocard (stopping Joseph on his way out)
Listen to me!

Joseph
What can I do for you?

Mme. du Brocard
You see in what a state of anxiety we are; don't fail to let us know
the least turn in our favor which the trial makes.

Mme. Rousseau
Yes, keep us well informed on the whole business.

Joseph
You may rest assured of that—But look here, I needn't leave the court
house to do that, I intend to see everything, and to hear everything.
But do you see that window there? My seat is just under it; you watch
that window, and it if he is declared innocent you will see me wave my
handkerchief.

Mme. Rousseau
Do not forget to do so.

Joseph
No danger of that; I am a poor chap, but I know what a mother's heart
is! I am interested in this case, and for you, and for Pamela, I have
said a lot of things! But when you are fond of people you'll do
anything, and then I have been promised something—you may count upon
me. (Exit.)

SCENE THIRD

The same persons excepting Joseph.

Mme. Rousseau
Justine, open this window, and wait for the signal which the young man
has promised to give—Ah! but suppose my boy were condemned!

Mme. du Brocard
M. Dupre has spoken very hopefully about matters.

Mme. Rousseau
But with regard to this good girl, this admirable Pamela—what must we
do for her?

Mme. du Brocard
We ought to do something to make her happy! I acknowledge that this
young person is a succor sent from heaven! Only a noble heart could
make the sacrifice that she has made! She deserves a fortune for it!
Thirty thousand francs! That is what she ought to have. Jules owes his
life to her. (Aside) Poor boy, will his life be saved?

(Mme. du Brocard looks toward the window.)

Mme. Rousseau
Well, Justine, do you see anything?

Justine
Nothing, madame.

Mme. Rousseau
Nothing yet! Yes, you are right, sister, it is only the heart that can
prompt such noble actions. I do not know what you and my husband would
think about it, but if we considered what was right, and had full
regard to the happiness of Jules, apart from the brilliant prospect of
an alliance with the family of De Verby, if my son loved her and she
loved my son—it seems to me reasonable—

Mme. du Brocard and Justine
No! No!

Mme. Rousseau
Oh, sister! Say yes! Has she not well deserved it? But there is some
one coming.

(The two women remain in their seats with clasped hands.)

SCENE FOURTH

The same persons and De Verby.

Justine
M. le General de Verby!

Mme. Rousseau and Mme. du Brocard
Ah!

De Verby
Everything is going on well! My presence was no longer necessary, so I
return to you. There are great hopes of your son's acquittal. The
charge of the presiding judge is decidedly in his favor.

Mme. Rousseau (joyfully)
Thank God!

De Verby
Jules has behaved admirably! My brother the Comte de Verby is very
much interested in his favor. My niece looks upon him as a hero, and I
know courage and honorable conduct when I see them. When once this
affair has been settled, we will hasten the marriage.

Mme. Rousseau
We ought to tell you, sir, that we have made certain promises to this
young girl.

Mme. du Brocard
Never mind that, sister.

De Verby
Doubtless the young girl deserves some recompense, and I suppose you
will give her fifteen or twenty thousand francs,—that is due her.

Mme. du Brocard
You see, sister, that M. de Verby is a noble and generous man, a