en by
the Church.

The General
Ah! yes. I will go.

(The General moves towards the bed.)

Vernon (pointing towards the door)
This way!

The General
I quite lose my head; I am distracted--O Vernon, work a miracle for
us! You have saved so many people--and here you cannot save the life
of my child!

Vernon
Come, come, be off. (Aside) I must go with him, for if he meets the
magistrates there will be more trouble still.

(Exit the General and Vernon.)

SCENE THIRD

Pauline and Ferdinand.

Pauline
Ferdinand!

Ferdinand
Ah! My God! Can this be her last sigh? Pauline, you are my very life;
if Vernon does not save you, I will follow you, and we shall still be
united.

Pauline
I shall expire, then, without a single regret.

Ferdinand (takes up the flask)
That which would have saved you, if the doctor had arrived earlier,
shall deliver me from life.

Pauline
No, for you may still be happy.

Ferdinand
Never, without you.

Pauline
Your words revive me.

SCENE FOURTH

The same persons and Vernon.

Ferdinand
She speaks; her eyes once more are open.

Vernon
Poor child! There she falls asleep again. What shall the waking be?

(Ferdinand sits down again and takes the hand of Pauline.)

SCENE FIFTH

The same persons, Ramel, the Investigating Magistrate, a Doctor, a
Corporal of Police and Marguerite.

Marguerite
M. Vernon, the magistrates are here. M. Ferdinand, you must leave the
room.

(Exit Ferdinand.)

Ramel
Take care, corporal, that all the entrances of this house are guarded,
and observe our orders! Doctor, can we remain here a few moments
without danger to the sick lady?

Vernon
She is asleep, sir; and it is her last slumber.

Marguerite
Here is the cup into which the infusion was poured and which still has
traces of arsenic; I perceived it there as soon as I took hold of it.

The Doctor (examining the cup and tasting the contents)
It is evident that the liquid contains some poisonous substance.

The Magistrate
Please to make an analysis of it. (He sees Marguerite picking up a
small piece of paper from the ground.) What paper is that?

Marguerite
Oh, it is nothing.

Ramel
In such cases as these, nothing is insignificant in the eyes of
magistrates! Yes, gentlemen, we shall have to examine this paper
later. What can have delayed M. de Grandchamp?

Vernon
He is at t