Tell me, Ferdinand, of course your
family is an honorable one?
Pauline (to Ferdinand)
You hear that!
The General
Your father must certainly have been a man of as honorable a
profession as mine was; my father was sergeant of the watch.
Gertrude (aside)
They are now separated forever.
Ferdinand
Ah! (To Gertrude) I understand your move. (To the General) General, I
do not deny that once in a dream, long ago, in a sweet dream, in which
it was delicious for a man poor and without family to indulge
in--dreams we are told are all the fortune that ever comes to the
unfortunate--I do not deny that I once regarded it as a piece of
overwhelming happiness to become a member of your family; but the
reception which mademoiselle accords to those natural hopes of mine,
and which you have been cruel enough to make me reveal, is such that
at the present moment they have left my heart, never again to return!
I have been rudely awakened from that dream, General. The poor man has
his pride, which it is as ungenerous in the rich man to wound, as it
would be for any one to insult--mark what I say--your attachment to
Napoleon. (In a low voice to Gertrude) You are playing a terrible
part!
Gertrude (aside to Ferdinand)
She shall marry Godard.
The General
Poor young man! (To Pauline) He is everything that is good! He
inspires me with affection. (He takes Ferdinand aside.) If I were in
your place, and at your age, I would have--No, no, what the devil am I
saying?--After all she is my daughter!
Ferdinand
General, I make an appeal to your honor; swear that you will keep, as
the most profound secret, what I am going to confide to you; and this
secrecy must extend so far even as to Madame de Grandchamp.
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