Pauline
I am.
Gertrude (aside)
I hope she is. (To Pauline) If you are sincere—
Pauline You are mendacity itself, and you always see a lie in other's words—Oh! Leave me, madame, you make me shudder.
Gertrude (aside) Well, she is candid at any rate. (Aloud) I am going to tell Ferdinand of your resolution—(Pauline nods in acquiescence.) But he will not believe me. Suppose you write a word to him?
Pauline Yes, I will write to him, and tell him not to go away. (Sits down and writes.) Here is the letter, madame.
Gertrude (reads) "I am going to marry M. de Rimonville—so that you may remain here. Pauline." (Aside) I do not quite understand this—I fear that there is some trick in it. I am going to let him leave; he will learn of the marriage when he is far away from this.
(Exit Gertrude.)
SCENE NINTH
Pauline (alone) Ferdinand is utterly lost to me now—I have always expected it; the world is either a paradise or a prison cell; and I, a young girl, have dreamed only of the paradise. But anyway I have the key of the desk, and I can return it after having taken out something which may serve to put an end to this terrible situation. Yes, that is what I will do!