Ramel
And what are you doing here?
Ferdinand
I am the manager, the cashier, the factotum of Grandchamp's factory.
Ramel
How is this? Do you do it from necessity?
Ferdinand
From dire necessity! My father spent everything, even the fortune of
my poor mother, who lived during her later years in Brittany on the
pension she received as widow of a lieutenant-general.
Ramel
How is it that your father, who had command of the Royal Guard, a most
brilliant position, died without leaving you anything, not even a
patron?
Ferdinand
Had he never betrayed his friends, and changed sides, without any
reason--
Ramel
Come, come, we won't talk any more about that.
Ferdinand
My father was a gambler--that was the reason why he was so indulgent
to me. But may I ask what has brought you here?
Ramel
A fortnight ago I was appointed king's attorney at Louviers.
Ferdinand
I heard something about it. But the appointment was published under
another name.
Ramel
De la Grandiere, I suppose.
Ferdinand
That is it.
Ramel
In order that I might marry Mlle. de Boudeville, I obtained permission
to assume my mother's name--as you have done. The Boudeville family
have given me their protection, and in a year's time I shall doubtless
be attorney-general at Rouen--a stepping-stone towards a position at
Paris.
Ferdinand
And what brings you to our quiet factory?
Ramel
I came to investigate a criminal case, a poisoning affair,--a fine
introduction into my office.
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