Scene Fourth
Pauline and Marguerite.
Marguerite
Does mademoiselle feel well again?
Pauline Yes, I am well enough in body; but in mind—Oh, I am in despair! My poor Marguerite, unfortunate is the girl who has lost her mother—
Marguerite And whose father has for his second wife such a woman as Madame de Grandchamp. But tell me, mademoiselle, am I not to you a humble and devoted mother? My affection for you as a nurse has grown in proportion to the hate with which this stepmother regards you.
Pauline Yes, Marguerite, you may believe it, but you delude yourself. Your love can never be as great as her hatred.
Marguerite
Oh! mademoiselle! If you would only put me to the proof!
Pauline
Really?—Would you leave France for me?
Marguerite
To be with you, I would travel to the Indies.
Pauline
And would you start at once?
Marguerite
At once!
—My baggage is not heavy.
Pauline
Well, Marguerite, we will start to-night, and secretly.
Marguerite
But why is this?
Pauline You ask me why? Do you not know that Madame de Grandchamp put me to sleep with opium?
Marguerite I know it, mademoiselle, and Doctor Vernon knows it also, for Felix told me that he put under lock and key your teacup.—But why did she do it?
Pauline Say not a word about it, if you love me! And if you are as devoted to me as you profess to be, go to your room and gather together all that you possess, so quietly that none shall suspect that you are preparing for a journey. We will start after midnight. You must now take from me here, and carry to your room, my jewels and all that I shall need for a long journey. Use the utmost caution; for if my stepmother had the least idea of what we are doing, I should be ruined.
Marguerite Ruined!—But, mademoiselle, what is come over you? Think seriously before you leave your home.
Pauline
Do you wish to see me die?
Marguerite
Die!—Oh, mademoiselle, I will at once obey your wishes.
Pauline Marguerite, tell M. Ferdinand to bring me my year’s allowance; bid him come this moment.
Marguerite
He was under your windows when I came in.
Pauline (aside) Under my windows!—doubtless he thought that he would never see me again.—Poor Ferdinand!
(Exit Marguerite.)