BRIGNAC. You said she didn’t come to dinner because of a headache. Have you been concealing something?
LUCIE. She is not ill, but she is cruelly and grievously unhappy.
BRIGNAC. Nonsense! Unhappiness at her age! A love affair. Some marriage she had set her heart on.
LUCIE. Yes, a marriage she had set her heart on.
BRIGNAC. Ouf! I breathe again. What a fright you gave me! That’s not of much consequence.
LUCIE. Yes, it’s of the greatest consequence. Julien, I appeal to your heart, to your kindliness, to your best feelings.
BRIGNAC. But what’s the matter?
LUCIE. Annette made the mistake of trusting entirely to the man she loved, who had promised to marry her. He took advantage of the child’s innocent love. She has been seduced. [In a low voice] Understand me, Julien, she’s going to have a baby in six months.
BRIGNAC. Annette!
LUCIE. Annette.