Scene Twelfth
The same persons and the General.
The General
How is this? What is going on here?
Gertrude (to Pauline) You must feign sickness. Come lie down. (She makes her lie down.) I happened, my dear, to hear moans. Our dear child was calling for help; she was almost suffocated by the flowers in her bedroom.
Pauline Yes, papa, Marguerite had forgotten to take away the vase of flowers, and I almost died.
Gertrude
Come, my daughter, come into the open air.
(Gertrude and Pauline go towards the door.)
The General
Stay a moment. What have you done with the flowers.
Pauline
I do not know where Madame has put them.
Gertrude
I threw them into the garden.
(The General abruptly rushes out, after setting his candle on the card table.)