The editor of Hoffman's works claimed that Gavaudan played the part of Crispin excellently but was not happy appearing in the opera because he did not want to be typecast with the role of a valet.

However there is some hope for the young lovers: Lucile will come into her inheritance once she reaches the age of majority and Dorval believes that his father will make his fortune in Pondicherry, India.

While Géronte hides behind the door, Crispin reads Lisette, Lucile's governess, a letter he claims he has stolen, supposedly from Dorval's father.

The old man writes that he is dying and tells Dorval he has buried a treasure chest, worth half a million francs, in the cellar of his house.

The contract signed, Géronte and Crispin immediately hurry off to dig up the "treasure", but the chest they find is empty except for a note from Dorval's father telling him that "work, thrift and frugality are worth more than all the diamonds in the universe".