The Red Robe
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apparent relief answers, "My duty as an honest man." His communication of his doubts to the jury causes the acquittal of the prisoner. The fourth act opens with an amusing scene in the robing room of the court house when the business of the term ins closed and the presiding judge is changing his clothes, while the peasant judge is toadying him. Then the prosecuting ofiicer enters and they ask him if he feels better now that the man whom he prosecuted is acquitted. He says that he is very happy over it and that it is better that ten guilty persons should esmpe than that one innocent should suffer. The peasant judge goes out and the prose cuting attorney accuses the presiding judge of having done unnecessary harm to the prisoner and his family by disclosing in court the fact that the prisoner's wife had had a criminal record before her marriage. The presiding judge sneers at the notion that such people have tender susceptibilities. "If you don't like the law, you can try to change it," says the presiding ofiicer. "Alas," says the melancholy prosecutor, "if I were in power I should probably do as others do, and think chiefly of how to keep the ministry in oflice." Then the presiding judge hurries off to catch a train to the country, where he is engaged to meet a hunting party. The assistant comes in and arranges with the prosecutor the release of the prisoner's wife, who was detained after her arrest on the complaint of the sporting judge; and gets permission to allow the acquitted prisoner to wait in this room to avoid curious spectators while certain necessary formalities are being concluded. The prosecutor goes home, and the acquitted prisoner enters. The assistant receives him kindly, and says that at last it is all over. The acquitted man
"And." she says, "when they ask after their mother?" "Tell them that she is dead," he says. As his mother retires to prepare the chil dren for the journey his wife enters the room where he and she are now alone. He does not look at her. She says in a voice thick with emotion. "Pardon!" "Never." "No. Do not say never!" the judge lie?" "No." "Then you are a wretch." "Yes, but forgive me." "I should rather kill you." “Yes, but forgive me." "You are nothing—nothing but a Parisian
replies, "It is finished in court, but it is not
be your servant, the humblest~—if you wish.”
finished in my life. I am acquitted. but my life is mined." The mother of the acquitted man arrives, and he breaks down and weeps like a child at her knees, complaining bitterly of his
"We have no home. We have nothing left. All is lost. And it is your fault." “Our children need me." “You shall not see them again, nor speak to them ever." "Oh, no, no. My children, my children are myself! You can cut me to pieces, but you cannot prevent my children being my
wife's past, which he knew nothing of until
the presiding judge mentioned it in court. His mother tells him his business is ruined, that his home is seized by creditors, and that she had to take his children away from school because they were treated as the children of a murderer. He says, "We must go to America."
wench without honor, without shame, with
out honesty." "Yes, insult me. Beat me." "You have lied to me for ten years." "Ah, I wanted to tell you. How often have I begun to tell the frightful story. But I had not the courage. I was afraid of your anger, and of the harm you might do-— I saw you so happy." "You came out of your prison, from your vicious life and picked me out as your dupe." "Oh! To think that he believes that of mel My Godl" "You are the cause of all our misfortunes. You have brought us all under the curse of heaven. Don't speak to me." "Have you no pity? Don't you believe that I suffer?"
"If you suffer, you deserve it.
You don't
suffer enough. But why should I be your victim? My only hope is to forget you." "Pardon." "Never." "Don't speak that word. God alone has the right to say that. I will go home. I will
children." "You are unworthy to take care of them." "Unworthy! There is no unworthiness that lasts. Have I been wanting in anything to‘
