Mme. de Céran. Duchess!

Duchess. To a girl who is very dear to my heart——

Mme. de Céran. Oh, Aunt!

Duchess. My sole heir——

Mme. de Céran. Your——?

Duchess. My fortune and my family name will be hers! My adopted daughter, Mademoiselle Suzanne de Villiers de Réville.

Suzanne. (Throwing herself into the Duchess’s arms) Oh, my mother!

Mme. de Céran. But, Duchess!

Duchess. Find a richer and a nobler name!

Mme. de Céran. Oh, I’m not saying—and yet—(To Roger) Consider, Roger——

Roger. I love her, mother.

Duchess. (Looking about her) Number two! There remains—(To Paul) Come here, will you? What reparation are you going to make?

Paul. (Ashamed) Ah, Duchess, it was you, then?

Jeanne. (Confused) Ah, Madame, then you heard——?

Duchess. Yes, little trickster, I did.

Paul. Oh!

Duchess. But, since you didn’t say too much evil of me, I’ll forgive you. You’ll be Prefect——

Paul. Oh, Duchess! (He kisses her hand)

Jeanne. Ah, Madame—! “Gratitude,” as Saint-Evremont says——

Paul. What’s the use—now?

Curtain.