Comte de Verby is very
much interested in his favor. My niece looks upon him as a hero, and I
know courage and honorable conduct when I see them. When once this
affair has been settled, we will hasten the marriage.

Mme. Rousseau
We ought to tell you, sir, that we have made certain promises to this
young girl.

Mme. du Brocard
Never mind that, sister.

De Verby
Doubtless the young girl deserves some recompense, and I suppose you
will give her fifteen or twenty thousand francs,--that is due her.

Mme. du Brocard
You see, sister, that M. de Verby is a noble and generous man, and
since he has fixed upon this sum, I think it will be sufficient.

Justine
M. Rousseau!

Mme. du Brocard
O brother!

Mme. Rousseau
Dear husband!

SCENE FIFTH

The same persons and Rousseau.

De Verby (to Rousseau)
Have you good news?

Mme. Rousseau
Is he acquitted?

Rousseau
No, but it is rumored that he is going to be; the jury are in
consultation; I couldn't stay there any longer; I couldn't stand the
suspense; I told Antoine to hurry here as soon as the verdict is
given.

Mme. Rousseau
We shall learn what the verdict is from this window; we have agreed
upon a signal to be given by that youth, Joseph Binet.

Rousseau
Ah! keep a good look out, Justine.

Mme. Rousseau
And how is Jules? What a trying time it must be for him!

Rousseau
Not at all! The unfortunate boy astonishes me by his coolness. Such
courage as he has is worthy of a better cause than that of conspiracy.
To think of his having put us in such a position! But for this I might
have been appointed President of the Chamber of Commerce.

De Verby
You forget that, after all, his marriage with a member of my family
will make some amends for his trouble.

Rousseau (struck by a sudden thought)
Ah, general! When I left the court room, Jules stood surrounded by his
friends, among whom were M. Dupre and the young girl Pamela. Your
niece and Madame de Verby must have noticed it, and I hope that you
will try to explain matters to them.

(While Rousseau speaks with the general the ladies are watching for
the signal.)

De Verby
Rest assured of that! I will take care that Jules appears as white as
snow! It is of very great importance to explain this affair of the
working-girl, otherwise the Comtesse de Verby might o