Blanche.—And we know you will share our happiness—you, who loved him so dearly.
Lucien.—What! Adrien!
Blanche.—Is alive and well. Safe locked in his own room, there.
Lucien.—Oh! thank Heaven!
Noel (aside).—His heart is in the right place, after all!
Lucien.—Blanche, you are a noble girl, and deserve this happiness. I must leave you immediately.
Blanche.—But you are not going—I shall not let you go—you must stay and help us to break the joyful news to poor, dear mamma. Hark! She is coming.
Lucien.—But, Blanche
Blanche.—Stay—I entreat you.
(Enter Madame, hastily C. She stops and looks at Lucien and Blanche, who remain motionless.)
Madame (R., aside).—What can be the meaning of this? Why has she deceived me? Blanche—who was always truth itself? It cannot be that there is hope—no, no—I am mad—it is impossible! (Aloud) No}, leave us.
Noel (aside).—That's lucky for me.
Exit C.
Blanche (aside to Lucien).—See how excited she is. We must be very, very prudent.
Madame (to Blanche).—Who told you that story, Blanche? About Gervaise?
Blanche.—Mamma, it was Noe, who heard it from a peasant.
Madame.—And did he give no details? Was Gervaise particularly mentioned?
Blanche.—Not by name.
Madame (starting).—Ah!
Lucien (aside to Blanche).—Take care.
Blanche.—I only know that, according to what he heard, Noel thought it must be Gervaise's son.
Madame.—Alas, no!
Lucien (to Madame).—I shall be in Bordeaux to-morrow, and will make some inquiries, if you wish it.
Madame (quickly).—What? Are you going, Lucien? (Aside) How downcast he looks!
Lucien.—I am called away by important business, and must return to Bordeaux this evening.
(Kisses her hand, bows to Blanche, exit C. Blanche seats herself on the sofa L.)
Madame (sits R. Aside).—How embarrassed he seemed. Oh, I must know the truth. This suspense will drive me mad. (Rummages in work basket R.) Where is the key? (To Blanche.) Blanche, have you seen the key to your brother's room?
Blanche (embarrassed).—The key, mamma? Why, you always keep it yourself, you know. Indeed, it wasn't I, I assure you, mamma.
Madame.—Why do you excuse yourself, my child?
Blanche.—Because—because—I thought
Madame (aside).—She has taken it. (Aloud) That key must be found at once, dear. Go, ask Noel if he has it. Stay! (Aside) She would put him on his guard. (Crosses to L., calls Noel.) Noel!
(Noel appears at C., Blanche going out at the same moment.)
Blanche (aside to Noel).—It's your turn now, sir. Be prudent.
(Exit C.)
Madame.—Close the door, Noel. Well, Noel, we have news of Adrien. (Crosses back to R.)
Noel (stupefied).—Oh, Madame, who told you that?
Madame.—Blanche.
Noel.—Well, yes, we have heard something. (Madame staggers, Noel assists her to a seat in the armchair R.) And if you were not nervous, you know
Madame.—Oh, Noel—see how calm I am!
Noel.—Yes, very calm indeed! The first word I say, away you go, as if
Madame.—Oh, Noel, for pity's sake.
Noel (with feigned readiness).—Then, I see I can tell you all about it!
Madame (eagerly).—Do, do, Noel—my old, my faithful friend—tell me the whole truth. I can bear it, indeed I can.
Noel.—Well, then, Madame, it seems a traveller reached Bordeaux yesterday, and this traveller just casually mentioned that in his travels he had met a young traveller who was travelling in the same direction, and whose name was Adrien des Aubiers. Then someone who knew Master Adrien said to him—the traveller, I mean—that his story couldn't be true, for Master Adrien had been killed by the enemy. "Oh no," said the traveller, "that couldn't be, for I left him alive and well, only a fortnight ago."
Madame (with joyful eagerness).—Where?
Noel (puzzled).—Where?
Madame.—Yes—where?
