Yes, I shall tell
the whole, dark tale.
The General (rising from his seat and coming forward)
Ah! so you are going to say in the face of justice all that for two
days you have concealed by such obstinate silence--vile and ungrateful
creature, fawning liar!--you have killed my daughter. Are you going to
kill me also?
Gertrude
Ought I to keep silence?--Ought I to speak?
Ramel
General, be kind enough to retire. The law commands.
The General
The law? You represent the justice of men, I represent the justice of
God, and am higher than you all! I am at once accuser, tribunal,
sentence and executioner--Come, madame, tell us what you have to say?
Gertrude (at the General's feet)
Forgive me, sir--Yes--I am--
Ramel
Oh, poor wretch!
Gertrude (aside)
I cannot say it! Oh! for his honor's sake, may he never know the
truth. (Aloud) I am guilty before all the world, but to you I say, and
will repeat it to my last breath, I am innocent! And some future day
the truth shall speak from out two tombs, the cruel truth, which will
show to you that you also are not free from reproach, but from the
very blindness of your hate are culpable in all.
The General
I? I? Am I losing my senses? Do you dare to accuse me? (Perceiving
Pauline.) Ah! Ah! My God!
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.
Pages:
102
103
104
105
106
107
108
109
110
111
112
113
114
115
116
117
118
119
120
121
122
123
124
125
126