HOLMAN CLARK (eagerly). Let me guess. His wife was starv—
SIR GEORGES. No, no, don't spoil it. (Sternly) It's a very serious thing, HOLMAN, to spoil an actor-manager's big scene.
CURTAIN.
ACT III.
Daniel Mérital. Father has won his case. I am glad. Oh, are you there, Father? I'm just going downstairs to count the telegrams.
[Exit.
Enter Renée.
Renée. You have won the case? I knew it. I knew you were innocent.
Mérital (nobly). Renee, I am not innocent. I did steal that ninepence. I would have confessed it before, but I had to think of my family. (Cheers from the gallery.) Of course it would also have been unpleasant for me if it had been known, but that did not influence me. (More cheers.) I thought only of my children. Let me tell you now why I stole it.
Renée (eagerly). Let me guess. Your wife was starving—