I suppose I may assume that the people at the castle know nothing of this little adventure of the young Count's?
You may rest assured, my dear sir, that I know what is due a woman's honour.
Ah--really!--Well, I'm sure no one saw me coming here. So then, there need be no scandal.
That would certainly be most agreeable to all parties concerned.
But--how did the lady propose to leave here without being seen?
Pray, my dear sir, let that be my concern.
That concern, however, I shall share with you--my dear sir. And it seems to me that the best plan would be for the lady to put on a decent dress, walk through the grounds with me, and pay a visit to the Countess at the castle.
What!--my mother--? What's the use of that?
It will look as if she'd returned--and we'd--somehow--met here.
Do you think any one is going to believe that?
Oh, but I don't want to! I don't want to do that! Pierre! I want to stay with you! I am under your protection, Pierre!
See here, my dear sir, let us suppose that your plan is successful--what then?
Then?--Then-- (_Looks from one to the other, uncertainly, almost imploringly, and breaks down again._)
Well--won't you go on with your proposition?
Yes, I suppose that when a man has acted as I have acted here, he must have lost--his sense of pride--and honour--and all the rest of it--long ago.--Then nothing is left him but--his duty.--And the thing that seems to me my--duty--I am going to do.--Let the Count sneer at me--I no longer----
Well, then, let me tell you something, Julia. After I had read the letter from Brussels, I had two rooms prepared for you--in the left wing--quite apart; so that some day, in case--you ever--came back-- Oh, well--it doesn't matter now. But the rooms--are--still there--and if you would like to come home with me now--straight off--well, you might be spared--some annoyance.
H'm--so you're willing--? (_Shrugs his shoulders and laughs._) I suppose that sort of thing is all a matter of taste--but I can understand----
Oh, I thank you most heartily, George. It's certainly very noble of you--and--I deeply appreciate it. But after--this, I should always feel ashamed before you--I should feel that I was just being tolerated--I-- No. Thank you, George--but I couldn't stand it.