MONDOUBLEAU. No, no. In politics there can be no scandal except where there is publicity.

ATTORNEY-GENERAL. But really--

MONDOUBLEAU. I agree with you--I know all that could be said--I repeat, I am only chaffing. And do you realize--it's very curious--when one reflects--this fantastic solution is the only one that does not offer serious disadvantages--obvious disadvantages. That is so. If you leave Mouzon here, Coire tells everything. If you proceed against him, you give a certain section of the press an opportunity it won't lose--an opportunity of sapping one of the pillars of society. Those gentry are not particular as to the means they employ. They will confound the whole magistracy with Mouzon. It won't be Mouzon who will be the rake, but the Court, the Court of Appeal. There will be mud on all--on every robe.

ATTORNEY-GENERAL. But you can't seriously ask me--

MONDOUBLEAU. Do you know what we ought to do? Let us go and talk it over with Rollet the senator--he is only a step from here.

ATTORNEY-GENERAL. I a.s.sure you--

MONDOUBLEAU. Come--come. You will put in a word as to your going to Orleans at the same time. What have you to risk? I tell you my solution is the best. You will come to it, I a.s.sure you! I'll take you along.

[_He takes his arm_]

ATTORNEY-GENERAL. Well, well, I had certainly something to say to Rollet.

_The doorkeeper enters._

DOORKEEPER. Your honor--

ATTORNEY-GENERAL. Where are they? The verdict--?

DOORKEEPER. Not yet. Monsieur Vagret has been making a reply.

ATTORNEY-GENERAL. Is the jury in the withdrawing room?

DOORKEEPER. No, your honor. They were going out when Monsieur Vagret asked for an adjournment.

MONDOUBLEAU. What an idea! Really! Well, my friend, let us go. I tell you, you'll come round!

ATTORNEY-GENERAL [_weakly_] Never! Never!

SCENE VII:--_Recorder, then the doorkeeper, then Madame Vagret, the President of a.s.sizes, Bunerat, Madame Bunerat, and Vagret._

RECORDER [_much moved_] Admirable!

DOORKEEPER [_half opening the door at the back_] Monsieur Benoit! What's the news?

RECORDER. Splendid! Our Prosecutor was admirable--and that Etchepare is the lowest swine.

_Enter Madame Vagret, greatly moved. The recorder goes up to her. The doorkeeper disappears._

MADAME VAGRET. Ah! My G.o.d!

RECORDER. Madame Vagret, I am only a simple clerk, but allow me to say it was admirable! Wonderful!

MADAME VAGRET. Wonderful!

RECORDER. As for the counsel from Bordeaux, Monsieur Vagret had him absolutely at his mercy!

MADAME VAGRET. Hadn't he?

RECORDER. He's certain enough, now, to be condemned to death!

MADAME VAGRET. Certain!

RECORDER. Madame, the jurymen were looking at that fellow Etchepare, that thug, in a way that made my blood run cold. As Monsieur Vagret went on with his speech you felt they would have liked to settle his hash themselves--the wretch!

MADAME VAGRET. I saw that--

RECORDER. I beg your pardon, Madame--I am forgetting myself--but there are moments when one is thankful, yes, so gratified, that social differences don't count.

MADAME VAGRET. You are right, my dear man.

_Enter the President of a.s.sizes and Bunerat._

THE PRESIDENT. Madame, I congratulate you! We've got it, the capital sentence!

MADAME VAGRET. We have it safely this time, haven't we, Monsieur?

THE PRESIDENT. That is certain. But where is our hero? Magnificent--he was magnificent--wasn't he, Bunerat?

BUNERAT. Oh, sir, but the manner in which you presided prepared the way so well--

THE PRESIDENT. Well, well, I don't say I count for nothing in the result, but we must do justice to Vagret. [_To Madame Vagret_] You ought to be greatly gratified--very proud and happy, my dear Madame--

MADAME VAGRET. Oh, I am, your honor--

THE PRESIDENT. But what a strange idea to demand an adjournment! Is he unwell?

MADAME VAGRET. Oh, dear!

THE PRESIDENT. No. Here he is.

_Enter Vagret. He is anxious._

MADAME VAGRET. Ah, my dear! [_She takes his hand in hers. She can say no more, being choked by tears of joy_]

THE PRESIDENT. It was wonderful!

BUNERAT. I can't restrain myself from congratulating you too.

VAGRET. Really, you confuse me. The whole merit is yours, Monsieur.

THE PRESIDENT. Not at all. Do you know what carried them all away? [_He lights a cigarette_]

VAGRET. No!