Pamela Giraud | Page 2

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 his name is. He must have told them when he came up stairs--he, and the voice you heard.
Joseph Mlle. Pamela, forgive a poor youth who is mad with love. It is not only my heart that I have lost, but my head also, when I think of you. I know that you are just as good as you are beautiful, I know that you have in your soul more treasures of sweetness than you ever show, and so I know that you are right, and were I to hear ten voices, were I to see ten men