Pamela Giraud | Page 8

influence such a man? (Aloud) Nevertheless, monsieur, you must sometimes need the services of others?
Dupre Never!
De Verby But you are sometimes sick?
Dupre Then I like to be alone. Moreover, at Paris, anything can be bought, even attendance on the sick; believe me I live because it is my duty to do so. I have tested everything--charity, friendship, unselfish devotion. Those who have received benefits have disgusted me with the doing of kindnesses. Certain philanthropists have made me feel a loathing for charity. And of all humbugs that of sentiment is the most hateful.
De Verby And what of patriotism, monsieur?
Dupre That is a very trifling matter, since the cry of humanity has been raised.
De Verby (somewhat discouraged) And so you take Jules Rousseau for a young enthusiast?
Dupre No, sir, nothing of the sort. He presents a problem which I have to solve, and with your assistance I shall reach the solution. (De Verby changes countenance.) Come, let us speak candidly. I believe that you know something about all this.
De Verby What do you mean, sir?
Dupre You can save the young man.
De Verby I? What can I do?
Dupre You can give testimony which Antoine will corroborate--
De Verby I have reasons for not appearing as a witness.
Dupre Just so. You are one of the conspirators!
De Verby Monsieur!
Dupre It is you who have led on this poor boy.
De Verby Monsieur, this language--!
Dupre Don't attempt to deceive me, but tell me how you managed to gain this bad influence over him? He is rich, he is in need of nothing.
De Verby Listen!--If you say another word--
Dupre Oh! my life is of no consideration with me!
De Verby Sir, you know very well that Jules will get off; and that if he does not behave properly, he will lose, through your fault, the chance of marriage with my niece, and thus the succession to the title of my brother, the Lord Chamberlain.
Dupre Ah, that's what he was after, then! He's like all the rest of the schemers. Now consider, sir, what I am going to propose to you. You have powerful friends, and it is your duty--
De Verby My duty! I do not understand you, sir.
Dupre You have been able to effect his ruin, and can you not bring about his release? (Aside) I have him there.
De Verby I shall give my best consideration to the matter.
Dupre Don't consider for a moment that you can escape me.
De Verby A general who fears no danger can have no fear of a lawyer--
Dupre As you will!
(Exit De Verby, who jostles against Joseph.)
SCENE SEVENTH
Dupre and Joseph Binet.
Joseph I heard only yesterday, monsieur, that you were engaged for the defence of M. Jules Rousseau; I have been to your place, and have waited for you until I could wait no later. This morning I found that you had left your home, and as I am working for this house, a happy inspiration sent me here. I thought you would be coming here, and I waited for you--
Dupre What do you want with me?
Joseph I am Joseph Binet.
Dupre Well, proceed.
Joseph Let me say without offence, sir, that I have fourteen hundred francs of my own--quite my own!--earned sou by sou. I am a journeyman upholsterer, and my uncle, Du Mouchel, a retired wine merchant, has plenty of the metal.
Dupre Speak out openly! What is the meaning of this mysterious preamble?
Joseph Fourteen hundred francs is of course a mere trifle, and they say that lawyers have to be well paid, and that it is because they are well paid that there are so many of them. I should have done better if I had been a lawyer--then she would have married me!
Dupre Are you crazy?
Joseph Not at all. I have here my fourteen hundred francs; take them, sir--no humbug! They are yours.
Dupre And on what condition?
Joseph You must save M. Jules--I mean, of course, from death--and you must have him transported. I don't want him to be put to death; but he must go abroad. He is rich, and he will enjoy himself. But save his life. Procure a sentence of simple transportation, say for fifteen years, and my fourteen hundred francs are yours. I will give them to you gladly, and I will moreover make you an office chair below the market price. There now!
Dupre What is your object in speaking to me in this way?
Joseph My object? I want to marry Pamela. I want to have my little Pamela.
Dupre Pamela?
Joseph Pamela Giraud.
Dupre What connection has Pamela Giraud with Jules Rousseau?
Joseph Well I never! Why! I thought that advocates were paid for learning and knowing everything. But you don't seem to know anything, sir. I am not surprised that there are those who say advocates are know-nothings. But I should like to have back my fourteen hundred francs. Pamela is accused, that