say? Am I to get no sleep to-night. Who's there I say? (Enter r. Persomé I'm sure I heard the door shut (looking round) No one here? (knocks at the Bishop's door l. Sees the candlesticks have gone) The candlesticks, the candlesticks. They are gone. Brother, brother, come out. Fire, murder, thieves!
(Enter Bishop, l.)
Bishop. What is it, dear, what is it? What is the matter?
Persomé. He has gone. The man with the hungry eyes has gone, and he has taken your candlesticks.
Bishop. Not my candlesticks, sister, surely not those (he looks and sighs) Ah that is hard, very hard, I, I—He might have left me those. They were all I had. (almost breaking down.)
Persomé. Well, but go and inform the police. He can't have gone far. They will soon catch him, and you'll get the candlesticks back again. You don't deserve them, though, leaving them about with a man like that in the house.
Bishop. You are right, Persomé. It was my fault. I led him into temptation.
Persomé. Oh nonsense! led him into temptation indeed! The man is a thief, a common scoundrelly thief. I knew it the moment I saw him. Go and inform the police or I will, (going but he stops her)
Bishop. And have him sent back to prison (very softly) sent back to Hell! No Persomé. It is a just punishment for me; I set too great store by them. It was a sin. My punishment is just but, Oh God, it is hard, it is very hard, (he buries his head in his hands).
Persomé. No, brother, you are wrong. If you won't tell the police I will. I will not stand by and see you robbed. I know you are my brother and my Bishop and the best man in all France, but you are a fool. I tell you, a child, and I will not have your goodness abused. I shall go and inform the police, (going)
