A dastardly slander!

PIKE

[in a ringing voice]

—and he'll do it again to-night. I go to an Italian jail

[he suddenly swings his outstretched hand to point to MADAME DE CHAMPIGNY, continuing without pause]

and, by the living God, that same poor devil of a husband goes back to Siberia!

[MADAME DE CHAMPIGNY, with an ejaculation of horror and fright, staggers back.]

HAWCASTLE

[in extreme agitation]

It's a ghastly lie!