Pauline!

Pauline (awakening)
O M. Vernon! Where am I? Ah! In my own room. What has happened to me?

Vernon
My child, you fell asleep while you were taking your tea. Madame de
Grandchamp feared as I did that this was the beginning of a sickness;
but it is no such thing. It is altogether, as it seems to me, the
consequence of a night without sleep.

Gertrude
And now, Pauline, how do you feel?

Pauline
I have been sleeping--and madame was here while I slept! (She starts
up; puts her hand upon her bosom.) Ah! It is outrageous! (To Vernon)
Doctor, can you have been an accomplice?

Gertrude
An accomplice in what? What were you going to say?

Vernon
I! my child! Could you suppose that I was the accomplice of an evil
action wrought against you, whom I love as if you were my daughter?
Don't speak of such a thing as that! But come, tell me?

Pauline
There is nothing, doctor, nothing to say!

Gertrude
Let me speak a few words to her.

Vernon (aside)
What possible motive can there be for a young child to keep silence,
when she is the victim of such an act of treachery as this?

Gertrude (in a low voice to Pauline)
So you see, Pauline, you didn't long keep in your possession the
proofs which you intended taking to your father in your ridiculous
accusation of me!

Pauline
I understand all; you gave me a narcotic in order to deprive me of
them.

Gertrude
We are equally inquisitive. I have done to you what you did to me in
Ferdinand's apartments.

Pauline
You are triumphant now, madame, but it will soon be my turn.

Gertrude
The war, then, is to continue?

Pauline
War, madame? Call it a duel! One or the other of us must go.

Gertrude
You are tragic.

Vernon (aside)
There appears to be no outbreak between them, nor the least
misunderstanding!--But stay, an idea strikes me; suppose I go and look
for Ferdinand?

(Vernon prepares to go out.)

Gertrude
Doctor!

Vernon
Madame?

Gertrude
We must have a talk together. (Whispering) I shall not leave you until
you have given me back--

Vernon
I stated to you the sole condition--

Pauline
Doctor!

Vernon (going to her)
My child?

Pauline
Are you aware that my sleep just now was not a natural one?

Vernon
Yes, you were put to sleep by your stepmother. I have proof of it. But
do you know the reason why?

Pauline
Oh! doctor, it is--

Gertrude
Doctor!

Pauline
Later on, I will tell you all.

Vernon
Already from each of them I have l