Scene Second
The same persons and the General.
The General (outside)
Vernon!
Vernon (to Ferdinand) It is the General. (Ferdinand, overcome with grief, falls back on the armchair, where he is concealed by the curtains of the bed.) What do you want?
The General
I want to see Pauline!
Vernon If you take my advice, you will wait awhile; she is very much worse.
The General (entering)
For that reason I shall come in.
Vernon
Do not come in, General. Listen to me!
The General
No, no! Ah, how motionless, how cold she is, Vernon!
Vernon Listen! General! (Aside) We must get him away somehow. (Aloud) There is but a faint hope of saving her.
The General
You told me—You must have been deceiving me!
Vernon My friend, we have to look this catastrophe in the face, as we had to look towards the batteries through a shower of bullets! On such occasions, when I hesitated, you always went forward. (Aside) That is a good idea! (Aloud) You had better bring to her the consolations of religion.
The General
Vernon, I wish to see her, to give her my last kiss.
Vernon
Be careful!
The General (kissing her)
Oh! How icy cold she is!
Vernon That is a peculiarity of her sickness, General. Hurry to the priest’s house, for in case my remedies fail, it is not right that your daughter, who has been reared as a Christian, should be forgotten by the Church.
The General
Ah! yes. I will go.
(The General moves towards the bed.)
Vernon (pointing towards the door)
This way!
The General I quite lose my head; I am distracted—O Vernon, work a miracle for us! You have saved so many people—and here you cannot save the life of my child!
Vernon Come, come, be off. (Aside) I must go with him, for if he meets the magistrates there will be more trouble still.
(Exit the General and Vernon.)