LUCIE. So you see, Annette, you mustn’t think about dying, because perhaps I shall want your help as much as you want mine. I heard the door shut. It’s Julien.
ANNETTE. Don’t tell him: please don’t. Spare me the shame.
LUCIE. Go away, now.
ANNETTE. You’ve given me back a little hope. Dearest sister help me, I have nobody else.
LUCIE. Go!
She goes: Brignac comes in.
BRIGNAC [making for the door of his office] Not gone to bed yet? I had a stroke of luck at the club. I met the editor of the ‘Independent’ and I promised to write him an article about the minister’s circular for to-morrow’s paper. An official’s day is sometimes pretty full, eh?
LUCIE. Julien, I have something very important to tell you. A great misfortune has happened to us.
BRIGNAC. Good heavens, what is it? The children?
LUCIE. No, it has to do with Annette.