[Commences re-reading in a low tone.
Cha. (rousing himself). Oh! I can’t lay here any longer. Morpheus won’t come to my aid. What shall I do? Well, I might just as well finish my letter to George. Why! what the deuce have I done with it? (Searches in his pockets.) Why, it seems to me I left it on the table before I went to sleep.
[He looks upon the table.
Luc. (again reading letter). “In that case, the only thing I can see for me to do is to join my mother.”
Cha. (striking his forehead). Confound it! I’ve left it in the next room.
Luc. (putting down letter, and taking up book). After all, I’m not George, and I’ve no right to read that letter.
Cha. But then my letter must be in the power of this woman. It appears to me that I’ve a perfect right to—
[Knocks gently at door.
Luc. Good gracious! there’s some one knocking. Who is there? What do you want?
Cha. A thousand pardons, madam. I am the person who inhabited a few minutes ago the room you now occupy; and by accident in leaving the room I left an unfinished letter.