Scene Eleventh
The same persons, and Pauline (supported by Ferdinand).
Pauline They have told me all! This woman is innocent of the crime whereof she is accused. Religion has at last taught me that pardon cannot be obtained on high except by those who leave it behind them here below. I took from Madame the key of her desk, I myself sought the poison. I myself tore off the paper to wrap it up, for I wished to die.
Gertrude O Pauline! Take my life, take all I love—Oh, doctor, save her!
The Magistrate
Is this the truth, mademoiselle?
Pauline
The truth, yes, for the dying alone speak it—
The Magistrate
We know then actually nothing about this business.
Pauline (to Gertrude) Do you know why I came to draw you from the abyss which had engulfed you? It is because Ferdinand spoke to me a word which brought me back from the tomb. He has so great a horror of being left with you in life that he follows me, and will follow me to the grave, where we shall rest together, wedded in death.
Gertrude
Ferdinand! Ah, my God! At what a price have I been saved!
The General But unhappy child, wherefore must you die? Am I not, have I ceased for one moment to be a good father? And yet they say that I am culpable.
Ferdinand Yes, General, I alone can give the answer to the riddle, and can explain to you your guilt.
The General You, Ferdinand, you to whom I offered my daughter, you who loved her—
Ferdinand My name is Ferdinand Comte de Marcandal, son of General Marcandal. Do you understand?
The General Ah! son of a traitor! What could you bring to my home but death and treachery! Defend yourself!
Ferdinand
Would you fight, General, with the dead?
(Ferdinand falls.)
Gertrude (rushes to Ferdinand with a cry) Oh! (She recoils before the General, and approaches his daughter, then draws forth a phial, but immediately flings it away.) I will condemn myself to live for this old man! (The General kneels beside his dying daughter.) Doctor, what will become of him? Is he likely to lose his reason?
The General (stammering like a man who has lost his speech)
I—I—I—
Vernon
General, what is it?
The General
I—I am trying—to pray—for my daughter!
Final curtain.