_Mad. L._ [_Rings._] But _my_ fortune is not mine to dispose of--for my duty obliges me to preserve it for my child. _Enter ALAIN._ Alain, show this gentleman to his apartments--but first, you must be introduced to my father-in-law. Ask if Monsieur Laroque can see the gentleman. [_Exit ALAIN--MANUEL up stage._] And now, we will take a stroll to the conservatory. What has become of that horrid doctor? [_As she rises, her shawl falls off--MANUEL comes forward and assists her._] Oh! thank you, sir. _Re-enter ALAIN._ _Alain._ Monsieur Laroque is coming down, Madame. [_Exit at back._ _Mad. L._ [_To MARGUERITE._] My dear, will you stay and introduce Monsieur Manuel to your grandpapa? _Mar._ Certainly, if you wish it. _Mad. L._ Now, my dear Bevannes, your arm. _Bev._ [_Who has been talking to MARGUERITE._] Eh? _Mad. L._ You shall accompany us-- _Bev._ [_To MARGUERITE._] This is too bad. [_Gives arm to MADAME LAROQUE._ _Mar._ Oh! Monsieur de Bevannes, how happy you ought to feel--arm in arm with "the mother of goodness." _Bev._ I do feel happy--blessed. [_MADAME AUBREY takes his other arm._] Doubly blessed. [_Exeunt BEVANNES, MADAME LAROQUE and MADAME AUBREY._ _Mlle. H._ [_Aside._] So, so, my lord Marquis. Well, I will keep your secret, _perhaps_. [_Exit--MARGUERITE seats herself as they go off._ _Mar._ [_After a pause._] Is this your first visit to Brittany, sir? _Man._ It is, Mademoiselle. _Mar._ It is an interesting country, I believe, to strangers. _Man._ Deeply interesting; though I travelled through it so rapidly, that I had hardly time to appreciate its beauties. What I _did_ see, however, charmed me. _Mar._ Ah! an admirer of the picturesque, I perceive, like our governess. You two will get on very well together--you'll be excellent companions. _Man._ Mademoiselle-- _Mar._ Oh, yes; she adores trees, rocks, rivers, etcetera--things that, for my own part, I don't think very interesting. _Man._ [_Smiling, and throwing himself carelessly into a chair._] Pray, then, may I ask what you _do_ think interesting? _Mar._ [_Rising._] Excuse me, sir. [_Goes out with a slight and disdainful inclination._ _Man._ A timely reproof--for I was already forgetting my position. [_ALAIN is crossing the stage._] My friend, a word with you. _Alain._ Certainly, sir. _Man._ Monsieur Laroque is very old, is he not? _Alain._ Oh, yes sir, _very_ old. _Man._ He was a seaman formerly, I believe?