wife of Champagne, our foreman, that you have come here; but he is
innocent as a new-born babe!

Ramel
You believe so, do you? Well, the officers of justice are paid for
being incredulous. I see that you still remain, as I left you, the
noblest, the most enthusiastic fellow in the world; in short, a poet!
A poet who puts the poetry into his life instead of writing it, and
believes in the good and the beautiful! And that reminds me--that
angel of your dreams, that Gertrude of yours, whatever has become of
her?

Ferdinand
Hush! Not only has the minister of justice sent you here, but some
celestial influence has sent to me at Louviers the friend whose help I
need in my terrible perplexity. Eugene, come here and listen to me a
while. I am going to appeal to you as my college friend, as the
confidant of my youth; you won't put on the airs of the prosecuting
attorney to me, will you? You will see from the nature of my
admissions that I impose upon you the secrecy of the confessional.

Ramel
Is it anything criminal?

Ferdinand
Oh, nonsense! My faults are such as the judges themselves would be
willing to commit.

Ramel
Perhaps I had better not listen to you; or, if I do listen to you--