EMILE. [Enters] Monsieur Gérard?
MAURICE. That's me.
EMILE. Pardon me, but I have something to say to you in private.
MAURICE. Go right on. We are all friends here.
(The ABBÉ enters and sits down.)
EMILE. [With a glance at the ABBÉ] Perhaps after—
MAURICE. Never mind. The Abbé is also a friend, although he and I differ.
EMILE. You know who I am, Monsieur Gérard? My sister has asked me to give you this package as an answer to your letter.
(MAURICE takes the package and opens it.)
EMILE. And now I have only to add, seeing as I am in a way my sister's guardian, that, on her behalf as well as my own, I acknowledge you free of all obligations, now when the natural tie between you does not exist any longer.