Scene Eleventh
(The drawing-room before described.)
Pauline on the veranda; Gertrude at the door of the room.
Gertrude She is seeing him out! He has been deceiving me! So has she! (Taking Pauline by the hand, she leads her to the front of the stage.) Will you dare tell me, now, mademoiselle, that you do not love him?
Pauline
Madame, I am deceiving no one.
Gertrude
You are deceiving your father.
Pauline
And you, madame?
Gertrude
So both of you are against me—Oh, I shall—
Pauline
You shall do nothing, either against me or against him.
Gertrude Do not compel me to show my power! You must be obedient to your father, and—he is obedient to me.
Pauline
We shall see!
Gertrude (aside) Her coolness makes my blood boil. My brain reels! (Aloud) Do you know that I would rather die than live without him?
Pauline And so would I, madame. But I am free. I have not sworn as you have to be faithful to a husband—And your husband is my father!
Gertrude (kneeling before Pauline) What have I done to you? I have loved you, I have educated you, I have been a good mother to you.
Pauline
Be a faithful wife, and I will say no more.
Gertrude
Nay! Speak! Say all you like—Ah! the struggle has begun.