She has gone too far to
leave off without ruining you, and to do that she will go to any
lengths. But I will not go away without giving you what may prove most
effective weapons against her.
Pauline
Oh, give them, give them to me!
Ferdinand
Not yet. And you must promise me not to make use of them, unless your
life is in danger; for what I am doing is certainly a breach of
confidence. But it is for your sake I do it.
Pauline
Tell me what it is?
Ferdinand
To-morrow I shall put into your hands the letters which she wrote to
me, some of them before, some of them after her marriage. Pauline, do
not read them! Swear this to me, in the name of our love, in the name
of our happiness! It will be sufficient, should it ever become
absolutely necessary, that she knows that they are in your possession;
at that moment you will see her trembling and groveling at your feet,
for all her machinations then are foiled. But do not use them
excepting as a last resort, and keep them well concealed.
Pauline
What a terrible duel it will be!
Ferdinand
Terrible! But, Pauline be courageous, as you have so far been, in
keeping the secret of our love; do not acknowledge it, until you find
it no longer possible to deny it.
Pauline
Oh, why did your father betray the Emperor? If fathers knew how their
children would be punished for the sins of their parents, there would
be none but good men!
Ferdinand
Perhaps this sad interview will prove the last moment of happiness we
shall have!
Pauline (aside)
I will rejoin him, if he leaves me--(Aloud) See, I no longer weep, I
am full of courage! But tell me, will your friend know the place where
you are hiding?
Ferdinand
Eugene will be our confidential friend.
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