ARGUMENT OF THE FOURTH ACT

Intîuenced by Charles, M. Dubriage begins to show a will of his own, and to assume an air of independence which both astonishes and terrifies Madame Evrard,

"Est-ce donc là monsieur? Comment, j'aurais perdu En ce fatal instant le fruit de dix années?"

Such is the exclamation which escapes from her lips on finding that her master, perfectly fascinated by the unafTècted qualities of Laure, will not sacrifice her to the jealousy of the ambitions and overreaching housekeeper. Fondly hoping that she has secured a new ally in Charles, she begs of him to help her in obtaining the dismissal of her supposed rival; meanwhile, Laure has acknowledged to M. Dubriage that she is his nièce, but she carefiiUy conceals from him the identity of Charles with his nephew Armand against whom he is still deeply prejudiced.