MME. DE RONCHARD
Well, run now and look without showing yourself, and come back and tell us at once.
PETITPRÉ [who has risen at the entrance of the servant]
No, I will permit no spying; let us wait. We shall not have to wait long now. [To the servant.] You may go. [Exit servant.]
MME. DE RONCHARD [to Petitpré]
I do not understand you at all. You are absolutely calm. One would think that your daughter's happiness was nothing to you. For myself, I am profoundly agitated.
PETITPRÉ
That will do no good. [Sits near the table R.] Let us talk—talk reasonably, now that we are a family party and Monsieur Martinel is absent.
MME. DE RONCHARD [Sits R.]
If that man would only go back to Havre!