Vernon
She will not live till daylight.
Pauline
Ferdinand!
Ferdinand
She has just uttered my name.
Vernon The vitality of a girl of twenty-two is very tenacious! Moreover, she will preserve consciousness, even to her last gasp. She might possibly rise from her bed and talk with us, although the sufferings caused by this terrible poison are inconceivable.
SCENE SECOND
The same persons and the General.
The General (outside)
Vernon!
Vernon (to Ferdinand) It is the General. (Ferdinand, overcome with grief, falls back on the armchair, where he is concealed by the curtains of the bed.) What do you want?
The General
I want to see Pauline!
Vernon
If you take my advice, you will wait awhile; she is very much worse.