It is incredible.
MARTINEL
I will answer you in a word. If my nephew had known of this situation, would he have done what he has this evening?
PETITPRÉ
Explain yourself more clearly.
MARTINEL
It is very simple. If he had known sooner of the danger this woman was in, do you think that he would have waited until the last moment, and have chosen this very evening—this supreme moment—to say good-bye to this poor, dying woman, and to reveal to you the existence of his illegitimate son? No, men hide these unfortunate children when and how they please. You know that as well as I, Monsieur. To run the risk of throwing us all into such a state of emotion and threatening his own future, as he has done, it would seem that Jean must be a madman, and he is by no means that. Had he known sooner of this situation, do you think that he would not have confided in me, and that I would have been so stupid—yes, I—as not to avert this disaster? Why, I tell you it is as clear as day.
MME. DE RONCHARD [agitated, walks to and fro rapidly L.]
Clear as the day—clear as the day!
MARTINEL