Vernon My child, you fell asleep while you were taking your tea. Madame de Grandchamp feared as I did that this was the beginning of a sickness; but it is no such thing. It is altogether, as it seems to me, the consequence of a night without sleep.
Gertrude
And now, Pauline, how do you feel?
Pauline
I have been sleeping—and madame was here while I slept! (She starts
up; puts her hand upon her bosom.) Ah! It is outrageous! (To Vernon)
Doctor, can you have been an accomplice?
Gertrude
An accomplice in what? What were you going to say?
Vernon
I! my child! Could you suppose that I was the accomplice of an evil
action wrought against you, whom I love as if you were my daughter?
Don't speak of such a thing as that! But come, tell me?
Pauline
There is nothing, doctor, nothing to say!
Gertrude
Let me speak a few words to her.
Vernon (aside) What possible motive can there be for a young child to keep silence, when she is the victim of such an act of treachery as this?
Gertrude (in a low voice to Pauline) So you see, Pauline, you didn't long keep in your possession the proofs which you intended taking to your father in your ridiculous accusation of me!
Pauline I understand all; you gave me a narcotic in order to deprive me of them.