The Stepmother | Page 7

As regards courage, he is his father's counterpart; but as to physique, he resembles me.
Felix Dinner is served.
Gertrude Very well! But do you know where Ferdinand is? He is generally so punctual. Here, Napoleon, go to the entrance of the factory and see if he is coming. Tell him to hurry; the bell has rung.
The General We need not wait for Ferdinand. Godard, give your arm to Pauline. (Vernon offers his arm to Gertrude.) Excuse me, Vernon, you ought to be aware that I never permit anybody but myself to take my wife's arm.
Vernon (aside) Decidedly, he is incurable.
Napoleon (running back) I saw Ferdinand down in the main avenue.
Vernon Give me your hand, you little tyrant!
Napoleon Tyrant yourself! I'll bet I could tire you out.
(Napoleon turns Vernon round and round. All leave, chatting gaily.)

SCENE SEVENTH
Ferdinand (cautiously stealing from Pauline's room) The youngster saved me, but I do not know how he happened to see me in the avenue! One more piece of carelessness like this may ruin us! I must extricate myself from this situation at any price. Here is Pauline refusing Godard's proposal. The General, and especially Gertrude, will try to find out the motives of her refusal! But I must hasten to reach the veranda, so that I may have the appearance of having come from the main avenue, as Leon said. I hope no one will catch sight of me from the dining-room. (He meets Ramel.) What, Eugene Ramel!

SCENE EIGHTH
Ferdinand and Ramel.
Ramel You here, Marcandal!
Ferdinand Hush! Don't pronounce that name in this place! If the General heard that my name was Marcandal, he would kill me at once as if I were a mad dog.
Ramel And why?
Ferdinand Because I am the son of General Marcandal.
Ramel A general to whom the Bourbons are in part indebted for their second innings.
Ferdinand In the eyes of General Grandchamp, to leave Napoleon for service under the Bourbons was treason against France. Alas! this was also my father's opinion, for he died of grief. You must therefore remember to call me by the name of Ferdinand Charny, my mother's maiden name.
Ramel And what are you doing here?
Ferdinand I am the manager, the cashier, the factotum of Grandchamp's factory.
Ramel How is this? Do you do it from necessity?
Ferdinand From dire necessity! My father spent everything, even the fortune of my poor mother, who lived during her later years in Brittany on the pension she received as widow of a lieutenant-general.
Ramel How is it that your father, who had command of the Royal Guard, a most brilliant position, died without leaving you anything, not even a patron?
Ferdinand Had he never betrayed his friends, and changed sides, without any reason--
Ramel Come, come, we won't talk any more about that.
Ferdinand My father was a gambler--that was the reason why he was so indulgent to me. But may I ask what has brought you here?
Ramel A fortnight ago I was appointed king's attorney at Louviers.
Ferdinand I heard something about it. But the appointment was published under another name.
Ramel De la Grandiere, I suppose.
Ferdinand That is it.
Ramel In order that I might marry Mlle. de Boudeville, I obtained permission to assume my mother's name--as you have done. The Boudeville family have given me their protection, and in a year's time I shall doubtless be attorney-general at Rouen--a stepping-stone towards a position at Paris.
Ferdinand And what brings you to our quiet factory?
Ramel I came to investigate a criminal case, a poisoning affair,--a fine introduction into my office.
(Felix enters.)
Felix Monsieur, Madame is worrying about you--
Ferdinand Please ask her to excuse me for a few moments. (Exit Felix.) My dear Eugene, in case the General--who like all retired troopers is very inquisitive--should inquire how we happen to meet here, don't forget to say that we came up the main avenue. It is important for me that you should say so. But go on with your story. It is on account of the wife of Champagne, our foreman, that you have come here; but he is innocent as a new-born babe!
Ramel You believe so, do you? Well, the officers of justice are paid for being incredulous. I see that you still remain, as I left you, the noblest, the most enthusiastic fellow in the world; in short, a poet! A poet who puts the poetry into his life instead of writing it, and believes in the good and the beautiful! And that reminds me--that angel of your dreams, that Gertrude of yours, whatever has become of her?
Ferdinand Hush! Not only has the minister of justice sent you here, but some celestial influence has sent to me at Louviers the friend whose help I need in my terrible perplexity. Eugene, come here and listen to me a while. I am going to appeal to you as my college friend, as the confidant of