Monseigneur! DE VARDES Séraphine Robin, I believe? SÉRAPHINE Saint Yves! Now just to think! Monseigneur knows my name!— Eh! Morbec was my home for many a year. When all is said and done, Home is just Home, Hut or château—and always the De Vardes Were lords of Morbec did they good or ill! Most like ‘twas ill—but they were proper men! And when they smiled we always said ‘twas day; And old men say—but it was long ago— A baron lived was named René the Good! Saint Gil! Monseigneur gave us back Lisette. Saint Maudez! ‘Tis a dangerous thing, but see! [_She takes from her bosom a silken purse._ Eh, monseigneur, ‘tis yours! Take it! Quick, quick, Before Céleste—the baggage!—turns her head! [_She thrusts the purse into his hand._ DE VARDES From whom? SÉRAPHINE Look in it! You will see. ‘Tis gold. DE VARDES Gold! SÉRAPHINE And something more.—Here is Angélique! ANGÉLIQUE Aristocrat—That ring upon thy finger— SÉRAPHINE Out! DE VARDES Not yet, Citoyenne! ANGÉLIQUE Then afterwards! I’ll have it at the trenches or the Loire! [_She rejoins_ CÉLESTE _and_ NANON. _They watch the dancers._ DE L’ORIENT Nicole—Lucille—Cléonte— SÉRAPHINE My errand’s done— Look in the purse, monseigneur, look at once! DE L’ORIENT La, la, la, la! DE VARDES I have no need of gold. SÉRAPHINE Look, monseigneur! DE VARDES Again, from whom? SÉRAPHINE A friend. DE VARDES I have no friend in Nantes. Take back thy purse! SÉRAPHINE It is not mine, the pretty, silken thing! I swore that I would leave it, so I will! And I was told to tell you, “Look within.” [NANON _approaches_. NANON In Nantes one is Suspect when one is seen Whispering in shadows with Aristocrats! SÉRAPHINE Nothing I said you might not hear, Nanon! Come, come away! (_To_ DE VARDES _as she turns from him_.) Monseigneur, have a care!