for this relief, I do not know how I should have borne up during the last few days. [Dr. Pellerin _administers the hypodermic_.]
DR. PELLERIN
Now, you must go to sleep; I forbid you to speak. I won't answer you, and I tell you of a certainty that in a quarter of an hour Jean will be here. [Musotte _stretches herself out obediently upon the couch and goes to sleep_.]
LA BABIN [_silently replaces the screen which hides_ Musotte]
How she sleeps! What a benediction that drug is! But I don't want any of it. It scares me; it is a devil's potion. [_Sits near the cradle and reads a newspaper_.]
MME. FLACHE [_in a low voice to_ Dr. Pellerin]
Oh, the poor girl, what misery!
DR. PELLERIN [_in the same tone_]
Yes, she is a brave girl. It is some time since I first met her with Jean Martinel, who gave her three years of complete happiness. She has a pure and simple soul.
MME. FLACHE
Well, will this Monsieur Martinel come?
DR. PELLERIN
I think so. He is a man of feeling, but it is a difficult thing for him to leave his wife and his people on such a day as this.
MME. FLACHE
It certainly is a most extraordinary case. A veritable _fiasco_.
DR. PELLERIN
It is, indeed.
MME. FLACHE [_changes her tone_]
Where have you been just now? You did not put on evening dress and a white cravat to go and see a patient?
DR. PELLERIN
I went to see the first part of the Montargy ballet danced.
MME. FLACHE [_interested, and leaning upon the edge of the table_]
And was it good? Tell me.
DR. PELLERIN [_sits_ L. _of table_]
It was very well danced.
MME. FLACHE
The new directors do things in style, don't they?
DR. PELLERIN
Jeanne Merali and Gabrielle Poivrier are first class.
MME. FLACHE
Poivrier--the little Poivrier--is it possible! As to Merali I am not so much astonished; although she is distinctly ugly, she has her good points. And how about Mauri?
DR. PELLERIN
Oh, a marvel--an absolute marvel, who dances as no one else can. A human bird with limbs for wings. It was absolute perfection.
MME. FLACHE
Are you in love with her?
DR. PELLERIN
Oh, no; merely an admirer. You know how I worship the dance.
MME. FLACHE
And the _danseuses_ also, at times. [_Lowering her eyes._] Come, have you forgotten?
DR. PELLERIN
One can never forget artists of your worth, my dear.
MME. FLACHE
You are simply teasing me.
DR. PELLERIN
I only do you justice. You know that formerly, when I was a young doctor, I had for you a very ardent passion which lasted six weeks. Tell me, don't you regret the time of the grand _f?te_?
MME. FLACHE
A little. But reason comes when one is young no longer, and I have nothing to complain of. My business is very prosperous.
DR. PELLERIN
You are making money, then? They tell me that you are giving dainty little dinners.
MME. FLACHE
I believe you, and I have a particularly good _chef_. Won't you give me the pleasure of entertaining you at dinner one of these days, my dear Doctor?
DR. PELLERIN
Very willingly, my dear.
MME. FLACHE
Shall I have any other physicians, or do you prefer to come alone?
DR. PELLERIN
Alone, if you please. I am not fond of a third party. [_The bell rings._]
MUSOTTE [_awakens_]
Ah, some one rang, run and see. [_Exit_ Mme. Flache. _A short silence._]
A VOICE [_without_]
Madame Henriette L?v?que?
MUSOTTE [_emitting an anguished cry_]
Ah, it is he! There he is! [_Makes an effort to rise. Enter_ Jean Martinel.] Jean! Jean! At last! [_Springs up and stretches her arms to him._]
SCENE III.
(_The same,--with_ Jean Martinel.)
JEAN [_comes rapidly forward, kneels near the long steamer-chair, and kisses_ Musotte's _hands_]
My poor little Musotte! [_They begin to weep and dry their eyes; then they remain silent and motionless. At last_ Jean _rises and holds up his hand to_ Dr. Pellerin.]
PELLERIN
Did I do well?
JEAN
You did indeed, and I thank you.
PELLERIN [_introduces them_]
Madame Flache, the midwife--the nurse--[_indicates the cradle with a grave gesture_] and there!
JEAN [_approaches the cradle and lifts the little curtain, takes up the child and kisses it on the mouth; then lays it down again_]
He is a splendid boy!
DR. PELLERIN
A very pretty child.
MME. FLACHE
