_Alain._ Yes sir, and a bold one too. Up in the picture gallery, there are paintings of some of his most famous battles with the English. Ah! he was a terrible man. Why, sir, if you'll believe me, when the fit is on him, he will walk for hours alone in that gallery, in a sort of dream, muttering to himself, and fancying that he is again on board his ship in the midst of fire and slaughter, and between you and I, sir, they _do_ say--but hush! he's coming with his granddaughter. [_Music._ _Enter M. LAROQUE, leaning on MARGUERITE._ _Mar._ This way, dear grandfather. So, so. How well and strong you are to-day. [_ALAIN places chairs and exits._ _Laroque._ Always better and stronger when you are near me, my darling, [_sits down._] Thank ye, thank ye. _Mar._ Let me present to you Mons. Manuel, our new steward. _LAROQUE, on seeing MANUEL, is transfixed and gazes with a sort of terror at him._ _Lar._ No--no--no--it cannot be! _Mar._ What is this? _Lar._ But I tell you he is dead--dead-- _Mar._ Dearest grandfather! [_To_ MANUEL.] For heaven's sake, sir, speak to him. _Man._ Really, Mademoiselle--I--I-- _Mar._ Speak, sir! Say something--anything-- _Man._ I am happy, sir, that I can devote my humble talents to your service. _Lar._ But he is dead-- _Man._ Who? _Mar._ The last steward-- [_Signs to MANUEL to speak on._ _Man._ All the more happy, sir, as I have heard of your many brilliant exploits, and had relatives who, like yourself, have often fought against the English-- _Lar._ The English! Aye--aye--aye--they did it--they were the cause, but they paid it all--paid dearly--dearly. _Man._ [_Approaching._] Permit me, sir, to-- _Lar._ Ah! No--no--no. He has blood upon him! See--see--see-- _Mar._ Grandfather, dear grandfather! Do not regard him, [_To MANUEL._] he is often thus--his great age--and--and--oh, sir, pray retire; join my mother, I beg of you. _Man._ Certainly, Mademoiselle. [_Aside._] A good beginning, truly. [_Exit._ _Mar._ Grandfather, dearest, what terrible thoughts are troubling you? See, it is I, Marguerite, your child. _Lar._ Eh! my child! Ah, yes, true, my child, my own dear child; but where is--are we alone? Who stood _there_ just now? _Mar._ That was our new steward, Monsieur Manuel. _Lar._ Manuel--Manuel--'tis very strange! I thought-- _Mar._ What, dear grandfather? _Lar._ Thought that--that-- _Mar._ Oh, you thought you recognized him? He is like some one you have seen before? _Lar._ Yes--yes--yes--like some one I have seen before. But I am very old, darling, and have seen so many faces in my time. Well, well, I think I shall like him. Does he play picquet? _Mar._ Indeed I do not know-- _Lar._ I hope so, I hope so-- _Enter MAD. AUBREY._ _Mad. H._ Ah, my dear cousin, how do you find yourself now? They told me you were ill, and almost frightened me to death.