Ferdinand Mar--
(Ferdinand checks him by a gesture. Gertrude and Pauline look at him
in alarm.)
Gertrude (aside)
It is his friend, Eugene Ramel.
Ramel
My friend, Ferdinand de Charny, to whom I have told the object of my
visit, to say nothing about it until you had finished your dinner.
The General
Ferdinand then is your friend?
Ramel
I have known him from childhood; and here we met in your avenue. On
meeting, after nine years of separation, we had so many things to talk
about, that I caused him to be late.
The General
But, sir, to what circumstance am I to attribute your presence here?
Ramel
I come in the matter of Jean Nicot, known as Champagne, your foreman,
who is charged with a crime.
Gertrude
But, sir, our friend, Doctor Vernon, has declared that Champagne's
wife died a natural death.
Vernon
Yes, sir, cholera.
Ramel
Justice, sir, believes in nothing but investigations and convictions
of its own. You did wrong to proceed before my arrival.
Felix
Madame, shall I bring in the coffee?
Gertrude
Wait a while! (Aside) How changed this man is, this attorney. I
shouldn't have recognized him. He terrifies me.
The General
But how could you be brought here by the crime of Champagne, an old
soldier for whom I would stand security?
Ramel
You will earn that, on the arrival of the investigating magistrate.
The General
Will you be pleased to take a seat?
Ferdinand (to Ramel, pointing out Pauline)
That is she!
Ramel
A man might lay down his life for such a lovely girl.
Pages:
18
19
20
21
22
23
24
25
26
27
28
29
30
31
32
33
34
35
36
37
38
39
40
41
42