Pamela Giraud | Page 2

which believes that it would thus form a mesalliance.
The Binets indeed!
Joseph But what has happened to you in the last eight or ten days, my
dear little pet of a Pamela? Up to ten days ago I used to come and cut
out your flowers for you, I used to make the stalks for the roses, and the
hearts for the violets; we used to talk together, we sometimes used to
go to the play, and have a good cry there--and I was "good Joseph,"
"my little Joseph"--a Joseph in fact of the right stuff to make your
husband. All of a sudden--Pshaw! I became of no account.
Pamela Now you must really go away. Here you are neither in the
street, nor in your own house.
Joseph Very well, I'll be off, mademoiselle--yes, I'll go away! I'll have
a talk in the porter's lodge with your mother; she does not ask anything
better than my entrance into the family, not she; she won't change her
mind!
Pamela All right! Instead of entering her family, enter her lodge, the
porter's lodge, M. Joseph! Go and talk with my mother, go on!-- (Exit
Joseph.) Perhaps he'll keep their attention so that M. Adolph can get up
stairs without being seen. Adolph Durand! What a pretty name! There
is half a romance in it! And what a handsome young man! For the last
fifteen days he has absolutely persecuted me. I knew that I was rather
pretty; but I never believed I was all he called me. He must be an artist,
or a government official! Whatever he is, I can't help liking him; he is
so aristocratic! But what if his appearance were deceitful, and there
were anything wrong about him!--For the letter which he has just sent
me has an air of mystery about it-- (She draws a letter from her bosom

and reads it) "Expect me this evening. I wish to see you alone, and, if
possible, to enter unnoticed by any one; my life is in danger, and oh! if
you only knew what a terrible misfortune threatens me! Adolph
Durand." He writes in pencil. His life is in danger--Ah! How anxious I
feel!
Joseph (returning) Just as I was going down stairs, I said to myself:
"Why should Pamela"
(Jules' head appears at the window.)
Pamela Ah!
Joseph What's the matter?
(Jules disappears.)
Pamela I thought I saw--I mean--I thought I heard a sound overhead.
Just go into the garret. Some one perhaps has hidden there. You are not
afraid, are you?
Joseph No.
Pamela Very well! Go up and search! Otherwise I shall be frightened
for the whole night.
Joseph I will go at once. I will climb over the roof if you like.
(He passes through a narrow door that leads to the garret.)
Pamela (follows him) Be quick! (Jules enters.) Ah! sir, what trouble
you are giving me!
Jules It is to save my life, and perhaps you will never regret it. You
know how much I love you!
(He kisses her hand.)
Pamela I know that you have told me so; but you treat me--
Jules As my deliverer.
Pamela You wrote to me--and your letter has filled me with trouble--I
know neither who you are--
Joseph (from the outer room) Mademoiselle, I am in the garret. I have
looked over the whole roof.
Jules He is coming back--Where can I hide?
Pamela But you must not stay here!
Jules You wish to ruin me, Pamela!
Pamela Look, hide yourself there!
(She points to the cranny under the sloping roof.)
Joseph (returning) Are you alone, mademoiselle?
Pamela No; for are not you here?

Joseph I heard something like the voice of a man. The voice came from
below.
Pamela Nonsense, more likely it came from above--Look down the
staircase--
Joseph Oh! But I am sure--
Pamela Nonsense. Leave me, sir; I wish to be alone.
Joseph Alone, with a man's voice?
Pamela I suppose you don't believe me?
Joseph But I heard it plain enough.
Pamela You heard nothing.
Joseph Ah! Pamela!
Pamela If you prefer to believe the sounds which you say reached your
ears, rather than the words I speak, you would make a very bad
husband. That is quite sufficient for me.
Joseph That doesn't prove that I did not hear--
Pamela Since I can't convince you, you can believe what you like. Yes!
you did hear a voice, the voice of a young man, who is in love with me,
and who does whatever I wish--He disappears when he is asked, and
comes when he is wanted. And now what are you waiting for? Do you
think that while he is here, your presence can be anything but
disagreeable to us? Go and ask my father and mother what